Latest news with #EmergencyManagementAssistanceCompact
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Kansas Task Force 1 deploys to Texas to assist with flood relief
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas Task Force 1 deployed to Kerrville, Texas, on Saturday to assist with the disaster caused by flooding and heavy rains. 'So they're preparing for more flooding in that same area where they've already been hit,' said Lance Feyh, Kansas State Fire Marshal Public Information Manager. Fifteen personnel from seven agencies are involved in this deployment. 'I want to thank those agencies because they're sending personnel from their departments to go down and represent the state of Kansas and perform these duties,' Feyh explained. Bystander saves child from deadly Cameron housefire: Police Participating agencies include the Kansas State Fire Marshal, the Olathe Fire Department, the Kansas City, Kansas Fire Department and the Shawnee Fire Department. 'We're very fortunate that we have the equipment and the personnel and the training to provide assistance not just to our community in the metro region, but also to help those in other parts of the country that need assistance,' said Battalion Chief Kiel Mason with the Olathe Fire Department. Texas sent an Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) request to the Kansas Division of Emergency Management. An EMAC is a mutual aid agreement that facilitates assistance in response and recovery operations during a disaster. KS-TF1 consists of two Type 3 swift-water search and rescue teams, equipped with hard-bottom inflatable boats. The teams will conduct search and rescue operations. Their objectives will be to search for and rescue people, provide basic life support (BLS) medical care, transport people and animals to the nearest location for secondary air or land transport, among other efforts. 'So those individuals work for their fire departments full time. But our (State Fire Marshal) emergency response division has a search and rescue unit that is tasked with providing training for all different types of scenarios for these individuals,' Feyh explained. Agencies that participate in KS-TF1 also conduct their own training throughout the year. 'They'll do swift water training, go out on the lakes, go out on the reservoirs, go out onto the rivers and practice training, using the boats,' Feyh explained. 'So it's a constant thing that's happening with their training to stay on top of and be in the best potential place to utilize the services we offer.' Mason says Olathe FD's Special Operations group trains annually and works with partners in the KC metro. Missouri House bill ignites debate on reducing limitations 'We do train annually on boat operations, surface water operations, swift water operations, and technical search operations,' Mason explained. 'We have five boats that we have here at the Olathe Fire Department. So we're able to supplement resource needs through the state of Kansas, but also have equipment here available at home if it is needed to support the metro region or even here in the city of Olathe.' Kansas Task Force 1 will start its search and rescue efforts in Kerrville on Monday morning. KS-TF1's deployment is expected to last two weeks, but that timeline could shift depending on needs. 'The flooding that was already there is still there. The damage and debris are now going to be shifted around again. So, there will be multiple debris floating around that you have to watch out for. It's a treacherous, dangerous thing, but they're prepared to perform life safety if they need to, and help transport people and get them to safe ground,' Feyh explained. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Arkansas National Guard deploys to Texas for flood rescue efforts
Twenty-two Arkansas National Guard soldiers have been deployed to Texas to assist with search and rescue efforts following severe flooding in the Austin area. Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders authorized the deployment on July 7, with the Guardsmen departing the morning of July 8 aboard four UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters. The group includes pilots, crew chiefs, and six maintenance personnel. Two additional soldiers will remain in Arkansas to serve as liaison officers, providing direct support to the deployed unit as needed. The initial deployment runs through July 12, but orders may be extended depending on mission requirements. 'Our hearts go out to those affected in Texas,' said Brig. Gen. Chad Bridges, Arkansas' adjutant general. 'Under Governor Sanders' leadership and direction, we're eager to assist our brothers and sisters in the Texas National Guard as they continue to respond and recover from the Texas flooding.' More: Crystal Bridges launches sports-themed art show with Razorback watch party The assistance was requested through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), a mutual aid agreement among states that facilitates assistance during emergencies. One helicopter crew has been designated for medical evacuation and is equipped with forward-looking infrared and hoist capabilities. The remaining three crews will provide hoist support, visual search operations, passenger transport, and cargo movement. The Arkansas National Guard frequently provides support roles during emergencies to help civil authorities under the direction of the Governor. This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Arkansas Black Hawk crews join Texas flood rescue mission
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
FIirst responders engage in water rescue training
Joint water rescue training by the Lebanon Fire Department, Mt. Juliet Fire Department and Wilson County Emergency Management Agency occurred this week across two days. Tuesday, May 27, and Wednesday, May 28, saw the training between the Jimmy Floyd Center and Stones River near the Percy Priest Dam for hands-on, in-the-water practice. According to the agencies, training focused on victim rescue, rope and non-rope throw bag techniques, boat flipping and water entry. 'These skills aren't just good to know, they're required,' WEMA said. '[Tennessee Emergency Management Agency] mandates that these competencies be demonstrated annually for members to stay eligible for EMAC (Emergency Management Assistance Compact) deployments.' With the training, the agencies say they're ready in case of a water-related emergency response. 'Training together like this ensures our departments can work together in any emergency situation,' WEMA said. Rehab 23 also attended the training to provide hydration and food for the first responders as they trained. With the amount of rain Middle Tennessee has seen this year, including localized flooding, this training is even more necessary, according to WEMA.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Out-of-state support mobilized to help northern Michigan ice storm recovery
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — Michigan will receive out-of-state support from the Indiana Department of Transport () after an ice storm devastated northern lower Michigan two weeks ago. Michigan State Police () say the support was secured via the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (). This is the first time the state has requested this type of support. The Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division () is working alongside the Michigan Department of Transportation () to bring in four debris removal teams from . MSP says each team consists of nine personnel and will assist in clearing downed trees and other debris from critical roadways. 'This unprecedented EMAC request underscores the scope of the damage and the urgency of returning impacted communities to safe, functioning conditions,' said Capt. Kevin Sweeney, deputy state director and commander of the MSP/EMHSD, in a news release sent to 6 News. INDOT crews are scheduled to arrive today and stay for seven days. MDOT has already deployed maintenance workers and equipment from operations facilities in Kalkaska, Atlanta, Hillman, and Mio in the northern Lower Peninsula, as well as from facilities in the Upper Peninsula and across the central and southern Lower Peninsula. 'Those dedicated men and women have made amazing progress in the recovery operations following the ice storm that struck this area two weeks ago, but we're so grateful for the additional assistance from our partners at INDOT to help accelerate the process,' said MDOT North Region Associate Region Engineer for Operations Bill Wahl in a news release sent to 6 News. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Utah firefighters deployed as drought-plagued Texas braces for wildfire risks
Utah firefighters are once again hitting the road to help fight fires — or, at least potential fires — out of state. Two Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands task forces composed of local firefighters from across the state gathered Wednesday morning before heading to Texas to combat expected fire risks in the Lone Star State, which has some of the driest conditions in the nation. Per the U.S. Drought Monitor, nearly 20% of the state is listed in severe drought or worse, most of which is located in West Texas. Over half the state remains in at least moderate drought, which has spilled over into widespread wildfire threats. While the National Interagency Fire Center listed no active large fires in Texas in its latest report, Texas A&M Forest Service officials report the state's Wildland Fire Preparedness Level has increased. Warm weather and strong winds forecast for the region have also created an "extreme" risk for more fires to start, according to the National Weather Service, which issued red flag warnings for most of the state. Utah's teams will remain in Texas for up to 14 days with the threat of fires high, according to the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands. Other states are also helping out. For instance, Cap City News reported that teams from Wyoming were also deployed to Texas on Wednesday. Utah firefighters typically respond to other states through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact. Wednesday's deployment comes two months after state firefighters headed to California, as fires raged in and around Los Angeles. Over 15,000 structures are believed to have burned from the series of fires at the time, with an estimated cost in the billions.
