ANNAPOLIS, MD — Governor Moore today announced teams of Marylanders are contributing to response and recovery efforts around the southeast United States in the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. They have responded under a variety of mutual aid programs designed to foster a coordinated mutual aid response to areas overwhelmed by this disaster.
“In the face of disasters, Maryland stands ready to help Americans in need," said Gov. Moore. “We are deeply grateful to the brave men and women who have selflessly answered the call to respond to Hurricanes Helene and Milton."
Marylanders are working under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, a state-to-state mutual aid system, to help ensure a coordinated response. Emergency Management Assistance Compact allows states to share resources from all disciplines, protect employees who deploy, and be reimbursed for mission-related costs.
“Our fellow states have never hesitated to support their counterparts when they are in times of crisis and we know others will be there for us when needed," said Maryland Department of Emergency Management Secretary Russ Strickland. “Marylanders can take pride in knowing that our finest do step forward to lend a hand to those in need. Their selflessness and dedication exemplify the strength and compassion that define our State."
The Maryland Army National Guard has 12 soldiers and two helicopters working separate missions in western North Carolina. The Maryland Helicopter Aquatic Response Team, which includes three rescue technicians from county fire departments in Maryland and five Maryland Army National Guard soldiers, had 17 flights with their UH-60 Black Hawk, rescuing 65 people, including one infant, and 16 dogs since September 28. They also moved resources, including boxes of food and water.
Seven soldiers from the Maryland Army National Guard completed eight flights in their CH-47 Chinook, transporting 78 people—20 of whom were rescued—and carrying 78,500 pounds of cargo, food, water, and six dogs.
Three members of the Harford County Sheriff's Office and a planner from the County Department of Emergency Services have deployed to Rutherford County, North Carolina, as an Incident Management Support team to assist in that county's Emergency Operations Center. Additionally, a Public Information Officer from the Harford County Volunteer Firemen's Association has deployed to work in Avery County, North Carolina.
Several employees from the Maryland Institute for Emergency Services Systems, the state emergency medical services agency, have traveled to the Virginia Emergency Operations Center to work as an A-Team to assist with coordinating and processing Emergency Management Assistance Compact requests. Also, three members of the Maryland Department of Emergency Management staff are traveling to the Virginia Emergency Operations Center to assist with emergency planning support.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency operates the Urban Search and Rescue response system, consisting of 28 urban search and rescue task forces across the country that can be deployed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to a disaster area to provide assistance in structural collapse rescue, or they may be pre-positioned when a major disaster threatens a community.
Maryland Task Force 1 is a federally deployable unit based in Montgomery County, consisting of members from Prince George's County, Howard County, and the District of Columbia. The task force was initially deployed to Georgia, then sent to North Carolina.
Maryland Task Force 1 performed targeted search and rescue efforts, working in coordination with Nebraska Task Force 1 and North Carolina Task Force 11. Canine teams have been crucial, especially along the water's edge and in debris piles. Maryland Task Force 1 also assisted other teams operating through the re-tasking of Canine Search Teams, composed of a trained canine and its handler. Medical specialists monitored and treated Maryland Task Force 1 personnel as well as other responders. Maryland Task Force 1 was demobilized on Thursday, October 10, and began preparing their equipment for the return home.
You can learn more about the Federal Emergency Management Agency Urban Search and Rescue program here. To receive alerts, tips, and resources related to threats and hazards affecting or that may affect Maryland, text MdReady to 211-631 or text MdListo for Spanish.
For more information, residents can also go to Maryland Department of Emergency Management's website at mdem.maryland.gov, Twitter feed at @MDMEMA, or follow the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/MDMEMA. You can also monitor power outages through the MdReady installable app and website: MdReady.maryland.gov.
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