With Governor Dayton’s Executive Order, 56 Minnesota National Guard personnel have now supported relief and recovery efforts in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands
Governor Dayton and Lt. Governor Smith have encouraged Minnesotans to donate or volunteer with qualified relief and recovery efforts
ST. PAUL, MN – Governor Mark Dayton today issued
Executive Order 17-10, directing a medical evacuation team from the Minnesota National Guard to assist with hurricane response and relief efforts in Puerto Rico. Governor Dayton’s Executive Order approves a request for assistance from the Minnesota National Guard through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC).
“I thank Major General Nash for his leadership, and the courageous Minnesota National Guard soldiers who will provide this critical assistance,” said Governor Dayton. “Many Minnesotans have already stepped up to help those affected by the recent terrible hurricanes, and we stand ready to assist in any way we are able.”
Governor Dayton’s Executive Order authorizes a medical evaluation team from Minnesota to travel to Puerto Rico, including two UH-60 Medevac helicopters and 13 personnel from the Minnesota National Guard. The medical evacuation team will provide relief to medical crews that have been working extensively with Puerto Rico’s rescue and recovery efforts. Minnesotans are expected to deploy for approximately one week before returning home.
To read Governor Dayton’s Executive Order,
click here.
Relief and Recovery in Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands
Governor Mark Dayton and Lt. Governor Tina Smith have encouraged concerned Minnesotans to donate and volunteer with qualified relief efforts, to assist with hurricane relief in Puerto Rico. There are approximately 13,000 Puerto Rican people living in Minnesota, meaning many Minnesotans have family, friends, or other loved ones impacted by Hurricane Maria. To find ways to support relief and recovery efforts,
click here.
With the 13 personnel authorized under the Governor’s Executive Order, 56 Minnesota National Guard members have now deployed to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to support hurricane recovery efforts since hurricane response began.
Since hurricanes began to hit in September, the Minnesota National Guard medical supply warehouse at Camp Ripley has shipped more than $1 million in medical supplies since to Texas, Florida, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.
The Minnesota National Guard, and the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management division, continue to monitor nationwide requests for hurricane assistance, to determine how Minnesota can best assist.
About EMAC
EMAC is a mutual aid agreement between all 50 states. A requesting state asks for resources (people, equipment, etc.) based on their needs. Agencies in other states with those resources are able to respond to a request, but there is no obligation to participate. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Homeland Security and Emergency Management division coordinates the state’s EMAC requests.
