Baker Calls on National Guard, Requests More Equipment for Snow Removal
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Baker said, “The Commonwealth has been hit by historic storms and unpreceded snowfall, posing challenges for cities and towns struggling with clean up. After three major storms in two weeks and multiple discussions with MEMA, State Police and the National Guard, we have deployed 500 National Guardsmen to dig out fire hydrants and other critical assets. We have also secured heavy equipment from the Vermont National Guard and purchased additional snow melters to assist communities in need. It has been a difficult winter for the people of Massachusetts, but we encourage everyone to remain patient and help shovel sidewalks, driveways, and safely clear roofs. Our goal is to help all municipalities safely return to working order as quickly as possible.”
The National Guard will utitlize their front end loaders, bobcats, and dump trucks to help with snow removal. Other teams will be used to shovel out fire hydrants, dig out passgeways, and clear roads and sidewalks. Vermont National Guard will also be sending equipment to Massachusetts to help out.
Baker also announced the authorization of the purchase of two more snow-melting machines and more equipment from surrounding states to clear roadways and sidewalks. According to the Governor's office, "The snow-melters can process about 120 tons of snow per hour, or about 25 truckloads of snow every hour. MEMA will coordinate these resources to the communities with the greatest public safety need."
The following updates have been announced:
Deployment of the Massachusetts National Guard – "The Massachusetts National Guard will deploy 500 Guardsmen to assist with snow removal and cleanup efforts for critical assets in select cities and towns. 200 Guardsmen will deploy in 50 teams of 4 men and women per Humvee to assist cities and towns to dig out fire hydrants and other critical assets. The remainder of the Guardsmen will operate heavy machinery to remove snow."
Request for Mutual Assistance – "Through MEMA, the Commonwealth has authorized the purchase of two additional snow-melting machines and requested 200 additional pieces of heavy equipment from neighboring states (front end loaders, dump trucks, bobcats, backhoes) for mutual assistance."
Partial State Office Closure – "Non-emergency state employees who either live or work in Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk or Suffolk counties should not report to work today."
State of Emergency – "Effective Immediately: Governor Baker has signed a Declaration of Emergency for Massachusetts ensuring state resources are available and coordinated for storm preparation and to enable swift response among the state, cities and towns. The state of emergency declaration will allow expedited use of state resources, the ability to request and receive mutual aid assistance from other states or the federal government if needed, the immediate procurement and deployment of goods and services necessary for response and other actions as considered necessary by the Governor. The state of emergency shall remain in effect until notice is given in the Governor's judgment that it is no longer necessary."
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