ST. PAUL, MN – Governor Mark Dayton today authorized Harlow Thompson, a Minnesota Division Group Supervisor, to assist in emergency management efforts on the Hawaii Islands in response to ongoing volcanic activity. Volcanic eruptions have destroyed property, damaged public infrastructure, and endangered Hawaii communities. Governor Dayton approved this request for assistance through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), to provide additional relief for ongoing 24-hour coverage of the natural disaster at Hawaii County’s Forward Operating Base.

 

Thompson has completed the required training in his respective discipline. He has numerous experience in local, state, and national deployments, and will aid in overseeing the daily response operations on the islands. He will assist in emergency response efforts for a total of 16 days, beginning Wednesday, July 11, 2018.

 

The Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) is a mutual aid agreement between all 50 states. Under the Compact, a state in need of emergency assistance may request resources (people, equipment, etc.) from other states based on their needs. Agencies in other states with available 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. To learn more about the EMAC process, CLICK HERE.