Maryland Guard answers state’s call for help
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”1929″ img_size=”full” css_animation=”fadeIn”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeIn” css=”.vc_custom_1500574879961{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-right: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;margin-left: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-right-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;border-left-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}”]By Sgt. Edwin Gray, 29th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeIn” css=”.vc_custom_1500575533840{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-right: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;margin-left: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-right-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;border-left-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}”]Approximately 500 Service members of the Maryland National Guard and Defense Force, were activated for to help with severe winter weather operations throughout the state on Feb. 13, 2014.
Most of these troops were prepositioned at readiness centers throughout Maryland and then dispatched to support local first responders.
Maryland Army National Guard Soldiers prepare vehicles and equipment at Camp Fretterd Military Reservation near Reisterstown, Md., to help first responders during this declared state of emergency on Feb. 13, 2014.
Many first response vehicles are not capable of traveling through deep snow. In response to this dilemma, the Maryland Guard has provided approximately 50 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles with troops to help get the first responders through the
snow safely.
Gov. Martin O’Malley asked Marylanders to refrain from using the roads so emergency workers could do their jobs efficiently and more people stay safe.
“Our Maryland Guard has deployed roughly 500 people,” said O’Malley. “They are helping in response to local calls for service.”
Maryland Army National Guard Soldiers on call with Frederick Police during this declared state of emergency on Feb. 13, 2014, in Frederick, Md. Up to 250 members of the Maryland National Guard are on state active duty to help winter weather response operations. (Photo by Sgt. Edwin Gray, 29th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)
The Maryland National Guard receives its missions through the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) when there is a need to assist state and local emergency response organizations.
MEMA is part of the Maryland Military Department and under the authority of the adjutant general. The agency is responsible for coordinating the state’s response in any major emergency or disaster.
“The way the Joint Task Force runs the system is very smooth. It allows us to keep accountability,” said Staff Sgt. Amanda Youngblood, supply sergeant with F Co., 128th Brigade Support Battalion. “The emergency response missions are being tracked with an online portal that allows state and local agencies to make requests for assistance.”
Each request is updated when it has been assigned to a unit. The requester will know how many personnel will arrive and what equipment is being provided.
Youngblood also added that her unit sent out multiple vehicles to various locations around the state to support local fire departments.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row]