Local crews assisting Sandy victims
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November 3, 2012 |
Drawing on their expertise in emergency response
and management, FEMA has requested assistance
from the USDA Forest Service in Hurricane Sandy
relief efforts. Locally, a 20 person crew of
Forest Service firefighters from communities
throughout north Idaho will be sent back east to
assist with relief efforts.
The crew will be part of a larger contingency of
relief workers leaving Saturday morning from
Missoula, Montana, travelling to Harrisburg,
Pennsylvania.
Ultimately the crew is most likely to be
assisting with relief efforts in New Jersey.
“We are glad to be of assistance and will
provide whatever is necessary to help out,” said
Idaho Panhandle National Forests Supervisor Mary
Farnsworth. “Although our firefighters are most
well known for their wildland firefighting,
Forest Service crews have skills applicable to
all types of emergency hazards. In the past our
crews have assisted with a wide range of
disasters including hurricanes, the Space
Shuttle recovery in Texas and the 9/11 disaster
response.”
The firefighters being deployed are prepared for
a typical 14 day assignment but can handle an
extended stay if needed. Also, if FEMA were to
request additional help the Forest Service and
partnering agencies throughout north Idaho are
ready to assist.
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