GREENFIELD, Mass. – According to a news release sent to 22News from the Mayor of Greenfield: Greenfield Fire Chief, Robert Strahan, was deployed today to support recovery efforts in Puerto Rico. He will spend two weeks as part of a specialized assistance team of emergency management professionals from across Massachusetts.
“The Mayor has been wonderful in supporting this,” said Chief Strahan. “I’m being assigned to the Center Island Taskforce and our mission is to coordinate supplies and relief to the center of the Island. My personal assignment is Incident Commander and I will be leading the crews supplying the relief.”
BOSTON (Mass.gov) – The Baker-Polito Administration today announced that Puerto Rico has accepted an offer from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) to deploy a 10-person emergency management team from Massachusetts to assist in Puerto Rico. The request for assistance from Puerto Rico came through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), which is the national emergency management mutual aid system that facilitates state-to-state disaster assistance.
“Massachusetts is proud to be able to deploy additional resources and personnel to assist with hurricane recovery and relief operations in Puerto Rico during this difficult time,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “As we continue to monitor requests for assistance and offer aid to disaster survivors traveling to Massachusetts, these experienced emergency managers will provide critical on the ground support for teams coordinating relief operations on the island.”
While deployed in Puerto Rico, the team is expected to work with the Central Island Coordination Task Force, which coordinates the delivery of goods and services across the island. The team includes three MEMA employees and seven members of the Northwest Massachusetts Incident Management Team (NWMIMT). The team is traveling to Puerto Rico on October 16th, and is expected to be deployed for 14 days.
“The deployment of these emergency managers from Massachusetts will assist Puerto Rico with the coordination of relief efforts,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito.”We continue to take steps to assist those impacted by the recent hurricanes by preparing for those residents who choose to self-evacuate to Massachusetts, partnering with the Massachusetts United for Puerto Rico Fund, and monitoring requests for assistance, and we urge everyone looking to help to support disaster relief operations through cash donations to organizations listed on the state’s website.”
“Public safety personnel from Massachusetts have previously been sent across the nation to assist in the aftermath of disasters,” said Secretary of Public Safety Dan Bennett. “We are proud to continue this tradition by sending additional personnel to Puerto Rico and thank the deploying personnel who have offered to support Puerto Rico in their recovery.”
“EMAC is an important component of emergency management,” said MEMA Director Kurt Schwartz. “Massachusetts has previously been both the recipient and provider of EMAC assistance and we are fortunate to be able to offer Puerto Rico these specialized personnel during their time of need.”
MEMA continues to monitor the EMAC system and look for opportunities to offer personnel, equipment and resources to Puerto Rico.
On October 4th, the Baker-Polito Administration announced the deployment of local and state law enforcement officers to Puerto Rico for hurricane Response and Recovery. The first 24 officers arrived in Puerto Rico on October 7th, and the remaining officers will deploy in two-week rotations over the next month. While in Puerto Rico, the law enforcement officers will assist with traffic and security duties.
On September 29th, the Baker-Polito Administration announced the mobilization of the Massachusetts National Guard to Puerto Rico for hurricane response and recovery. The National Guard’s Joint Site Incident Satellite Communications Capability (JISCC) team will support satellite-based data and mobile communications on the island, where communication lines have been severely damaged.
Governor Baker, Mayor Martin J. Walsh, Representative Jeffrey Sánchez and members of the Boston Foundation also announced the Massachusetts United for Puerto Rico Fund to support and respond to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico in the wake of Hurricanes Maria and Irma. The fund has been formed in partnership with the Latino Legacy fund and in cooperation with the Alliance for Puerto Rico. Funds raised will be distributed for reconstruction and relief on the island of Puerto Rico and to support self-evacuees arriving in Massachusetts from Puerto Rico for temporary or permanent residence.
The Baker-Polito Administration has formed a state task force that is working to ensure that the state is prepared to support the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico for individuals who choose to self-evacuate the island and seek temporary or permanent residence in Massachusetts.
State officials remain in communication with the Government of Puerto Rico and federal authorities and are ready and willing to offer emergency assistance, such as personnel and equipment, at the request of Puerto Rico.Volunteers & Donations:
- Donations – Donating cash to recognized disaster relief organizations is the best way to help people in need after a disaster. Cash donations are efficient, flexible to use, and require no transportation. Consider donating to the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, or other disaster relief organization that is a member of the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD): https://www.nvoad.org/current-disasters/werespond/
- Volunteers – Those looking to volunteer are encouraged to get involved with an established disaster relief organization. This ensures that volunteer efforts are coordinated and that the needs of disaster communities and survivors are met. People are asked not to self-deploy to a disaster area. Information on volunteering is available through the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD): https://www.nvoad.org/current-disasters/werespond/
