When an incident grows beyond the capability of a local jurisdiction, and responders cannot meet the needs with mutual aid and assistance resources, the local emergency manager contacts the State/Tribe.  

Most States/Tribes require the chief executive of the local government to officially request a Governor's or Indian Tribal Government Chief Executive's declaration of disaster in order to obtain State/Tribal assistance. The local emergency program manager is responsible for local damage assessment and the report to the State/Tribal emergency management office.