Photo By Sgt. 1st Class James Lally | Army Pfc. Matthew J. Ohman and Pvt. Carey A. Clarke, both of the 272nd Chemical...... read more read more
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ARLINGTON, Va., — More than 1,500 National Guard members in three Northeast states are waging a war against rising flood waters after several days of rain combined with melting snow.
Massachusetts has called up more than 900 Soldiers, while Rhode Island and Connecticut have more than 500 and 150 on duty, respectively.
Massachusetts Gov. Deval L. Patrick has authorized the mobilization of 1,000 Soldiers and Airman to support the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency.
Soldiers have already filled and transported about 9,000 sandbags from the State Highway Department in Lexington, Mass., to points of distribution in Lexington, Tewksbury, Bridgewater and Millbury.
Additional Soldiers and Airman called for state active duty will not only continue to fill and transport sandbags to affected areas, they will conduct emergency evacuation operations, conduct presence patrols and provide security to isolated areas, according to a news release from the state.
Currently, 21 National Guard trucks are headed to Fall River, Mass., to assist with evacuations in the Watuppa Pond area, and 6,000 sandbags are being delivered and emplaced in Middleboro, Blackstone and Concord.
Guard officials said the Massachusetts Guard is prepositioned at strategic locations throughout the state capable of providing communication support, transportation support, medical support, predictive flood modeling and maintenance sustainment support.
Army Maj. Gen. Joseph C. Carter, the adjutant general of the Massachusetts Guard, said, "The men and women of the Massachusetts National Guard are eager to assist the citizens of the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth can rely on our diverse capabilities, our strategically located units, and our quick response during times of need."
Army 2nd Lt. Danielle Golden, a platoon leader with the 125th Quartermaster Company, supervised Soldiers who were filling sandbags in Lexington.
Golden, who normally works as a state corrections officer, said this is the first state mission she has participated in since joining the Guard.
"Any Soldier that gets to be a part of a mission like this at least once is lucky," she said.
Army Staff Sgt. Ross E. Bandy of the 272nd Chemical Company said, "I am a Navy veteran, and I have a friend in the Guard who helped out during the 2008 ice storm. After seeing him I thought I'd join and help some people out."
The Massachusetts' 79th Troop Command, located in Rehoboth, Mass., coordinated the movement of filled sandbags from Lexington to areas designated by MEMA.
The initial tasks MEMA assigned to the National Guard have been completed successfully, Guard officials said.
Rhode Island Soldiers have been tasked with assisting various state and local authorities with traffic control, evacuations and transportation.
The Rhode Island Guard continues to work in close coordination with the Rhode Island EMA on where and when to position Guard personnel and equipment.
All guard missions will be based on input from RIEMA, who is closely monitoring the situation with all state and local agencies, according to a news release from the state.
"We are an integrated emergency management agency; we're maintaining situational awareness. We are well linked with FEMA and [Department of] Homeland Security," said Army Maj. Gen. Robert T. Bray at a press conference March 30. "Our main focus is safety and infrastructure, specifically to keep the main thoroughfares open."
He added that the Guard activation would last for as long as necessary. "We are prepared to put personnel and equipment where they will be best utilized," he said.
In Connecticut, Soldiers are conducting high-water rescues and sandbagging operations, Guard officials said.
(Staff Sgt. James Lally of the Massachusetts National Guard contributed to this report.)
| Date Taken: | 03.31.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 03.31.2010 14:41 |
| Story ID: | 47500 |
| Location: | ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 191 |
| Downloads: | 159 |
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