Latest news with #EmergencyManagementAssistanceCompact
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.
Yahoo
16-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Charlotte firefighters deployed to Kentucky to assist in emergency response efforts
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A group of Charlotte firefighters were deployed to southeastern Kentucky to assist in flood rescue and emergency response efforts Sunday morning. The deployment was initiated through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), which allows states to request aid in times of disaster. According to Division Chief Matt Westover, Charlotte Fire's Special Operations Division was contacted at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday with a preliminary notice of a possible deployment. Early Sunday morning, members of Task Force Three were placed on alert. By 7 a.m., the team departed from the Charlotte Fire Center for All Hazards Resource and Operations, bringing specialized rescue boats, UTVs for off-road search efforts, and technical equipment to assist in water rescues and emergency operations. Twenty-one firefighters, part of North Carolina Task Force Three, joined other NC response units responding to Middlesboro, Kentucky, a region dealing with historic flooding due to heavy rain and dangerous winter weather conditions. Led by veteran Captain Jerry Rogers, crews dealt with rising waters submerging homes and freezing temperatures as they helped stranded residents. 'This is what Charlotte firefighters do—we answer the call no matter where it comes from,' said Charlotte Fire Chief Reginald Johnson. 'These men and women are highly trained and prepared for these types of emergencies, and I have no doubt they will make a difference for the people of Kentucky during this crisis.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Killeen firefighters return home from California
KILLEEN, Texas (FOX 44) – Three Killeen Fire personnel are returning to Killeen following a two-week deployment to Los Angeles County, where they assisted crews with wildfire coverage causing 200,000 people to be placed on evacuation orders. The city says Killeen Firefighters Jason Wuest, Marcus Stillwell and Chris Poston are due to arrive back in Killeen at 5p.m. Monday. They will return to the Central Fire Station, located at 201 South 28th Street. The Killeen FD team deployed to LA to staff a fire engine as a part of an Emergency Management Assistance Compact request. This is a part of a national mutual aid system connected with the Texas Division of Emergency Management agency. At least four major wildfires began to burn across Los Angeles County on January 7. At least 28 people did not survive. Each fire is at least 90 percent contained, but covered nearly 50,000 acres. At least 20,000 structures have been destroyed. For more information on the Killeen Fire department, you can visit Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
