Transportation Experts Called to Support Hurricane Relief Efforts

SMYRNDA, Del. – On Tuesday, October 24th at approximately 745am, 36 Soldiers from the Delaware National Guard’s 1049th Transportation Company departed the Smryna Readiness Center (103 Artisan Drive in Smryna) via motor coach and to be flown to Puerto Rico to assist with hurricane relief efforts.

“Delawareans have proven that we stand ready and willing to help our fellow citizens affected by natural disasters,” said Governor Carney. “To the 36 Soldiers responding to the mission in Puerto Rico, thank you for your service. And thank you to all members of our Delaware National Guard who are answering the call to help those in need.”

The Soldiers will deploy for up to 60 days and help transport supplies necessary to support the citizens of Puerto Rico as they recover from Hurricane Maria.  The Soldiers are truck drivers and maintenance personnel. They have a wealth of experience. Some have deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, and others to New York in 2012 in support of Hurricane Sandy relief efforts.

Since August, about 80 Delaware National Guard Soldiers, Airmen, and women have deployed to support hurricane relief efforts in Texas, Florida, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. The Delaware National Guard has transported 80 tons of supplies to include, generators, satellite communications equipment, medical supplies, and food and water. Our C-130 aircraft pilots and crews have evacuated more than 250 citizens to safety. We have also provided support with medical, engineer, and communications experts. Currently, we have a team on the ground in the Virgin Islands helping with aerial port operations at St. Croix Airport, along with a team of communication experts assisting in Puerto Rico.

“This request for support just came last Thursday, but these Soldiers reacted in true Minuteman tradition – leaving within less than a week.  They are always ready, always there,” said Brig. Gen. Michael Berry, Director of the Delaware National Guard’s Joint Staff.

For more information, please contact Lt. Col. Len Gratteri at 302 540 0134, or email at Leonard.a.gratteri.mil@mail.mil.

XXX

On Friday, October 20, 2017 members of the Delaware State Police Community Outreach Unit along with representatives from the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) formed a convoy of trucks and trailers bound for the Port of Wilmington. The cargo being transported consisted of supplies received as a result of a two week donation drive, benefitting the people of Puerto Rico who were affected by Hurricane Maria.

Upon arrival the convoy was met by a team of approximately twenty Port of Wilmington employees who off-loaded and packaged 32 pallets of donated supplies before loading them onto a cargo ship bound for Puerto Rico.

The donation drive which ran from October 4th-18th, was a collaborative effort between the Office of Governor John Carney, DEMA, the Delaware State Police, the Delaware Citizens Corps, and in conjunction with the International Longshoremen’s Association of Delaware and the Port of Wilmington.

On behalf of all the agencies involved in this humanitarian relief effort, the Delaware State Police would like to thank the citizens of the State of Delaware, who through their kindness and generosity made this initiative a success.

A Donation Drive for Puerto Rico Accepted at Delaware State Police Troops

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin

Released: 102117 1634

-End-

Donated items will be accepted at Delaware State Police, Port of Wilmington

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney, the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA), Delaware State Police, and Delaware Citizen Corps, in conjunction with the International Longshoremen’s Association and the Port of Wilmington, announced on Thursday a campaign to gather donated supplies to aid relief efforts in Puerto Rico.

“Delawareans always stand ready to assist those in need, and our fellow citizens in Puerto Rico need our support,” said Governor Carney. “Members of our National Guard continue to assist with disaster response, and our thoughts continue to be with everyone in Puerto Rico affected by Hurricane Maria and its aftermath. We look out for our neighbors here in Delaware, and I urge Delawareans to support this effort however possible.”

“The emergency management communities have seen challenges like no other this year,” said A.J. Schall, Director of the Delaware Emergency Management Agency. “I’m proud DEMA has been able to assist other states via the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, and I am glad we can join with our private partners and non-profits to support Puerto Rico.”

The transportation of the items to Puerto Rico will be organized and shipped by the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) 1694, led by ILA 1694 President Bill Ashe.

Donated supplies can be dropped off at Delaware State Police Troop locations throughout the state, as well as at the Port of Wilmington.

*A list of supplies that will be accepted is available below.

Donations will be accepted at the following Delaware State Police locations Monday through Sunday between 5:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. until Wednesday, October 18:

• Delaware State Police Headquarters – 1441 N. DuPont Highway, Dover 19903
• State Police Troop 1 – 603 Philadelphia Pike, Wilmington 19809
• State Police Troop 2 – 100 Lagrange Avenue, Newark 19702
• State Police Troop 3 – 3759 South State Street, Camden 19934
• State Police Troop 4 – 23652 Shortly Road, Georgetown 19947
• State Police Troop 5 – 9265 Public Safety Way, Bridgeville 19933
• State Police Troop 6 – 3301 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington 19808
• State Police Troop 7 – 18006 Coastal Highway, Lewes 19958
• State Police Troop 9 – 414 Main Street, Odessa 19730

Donations will also be accepted at the Port of Wilmington Monday through Saturday between 7:00 a.m. and noon until Saturday, October 21:

• Port of Wilmington – 1 Hausel Road, Wilmington, DE 19801
  *Because of Port security, members of the public donating items must check in at Lane 4 of the Port’s main gate. Security Officers will direct donors from that point to the collection area. All loose items should be placed in boxes.

Items needed in Puerto Rico include:

• Baby formulas and food (Similac and Enfamil from all stages) *no other food will be accepted
• First aid supplies
• Stomach and diarrhea medications
• Hand sanitizer
• Insect repellent
• Toiletries and feminine-hygiene products
• Dish soap and laundry detergents
• Garbage bags
• Work gloves, tarps, ropes, safety glasses and goggles
• Pet food

The public is reminded that the following items will not be accepted:

• Clothing and shoes
• Toys or stuffed animals
• Bottled water
• Food

Monetary donations will not be accepted at the collection sites. Delawareans wishing to make monetary donations may do so securely online through National Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster.

Delawareans interested in volunteer opportunities can find instructions online at the National Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster’s website.

###

Providing C-130 Evacuation Transport and Staff Assistance

New Castle, Del. – Two Delaware National Guard C-130s and flight crews returned this week from a five-day mission assisting with hurricane relief efforts in the Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. While deployed, Delaware National Guard Airmen flew a total of more than 60 hours, transported 100 personnel, and more than 50 tons of cargo. These two crews remain on duty and on standby for follow-on missions.

One aircraft flew to Minnesota to pick up a Joint Incident Site Communications Capability package (JISCC, which is a portable, turn-key satellite communications system), a team of operators, military vehicles, and a pallet of equipment. This mission went to assist in Puerto Rico.

Another mission to assist Puerto Rico involved delivering vehicles, generators, emergency aid personnel, and medical equipment. This aircraft also evacuated about 40 people stranded in Puerto Rico, and transported them safely to Savannah, Ga.
“The National Guard has the expertise in supporting the Homeland, and this is just another example of citizen-Soldiers and Airmen at their best,” said Maj. Gen. Carol Timmons, Adjutant General, Delaware National Guard. “We are leaning forward as much as possible. We have hundreds of troops who are prepared and eager to answer the call.”

However, the Delaware National Guard cannot unilaterally send support. This is a nationally coordinated response and Delaware can only be tasked by the National Guard Bureau (NGB), using federal funds, or through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), using state funds. The Delaware National Guard is in close communication with NGB for federal taskings, and the Delaware Emergency Management Agency for support through EMAC.

“Our brothers and sisters in Puerto Rico are suffering, and Delaware continues to stand ready to assist them,” said Governor John Carney. “We will continue to look for ways to send needed resources and personnel to help our fellow citizens in need. Thank you to members of our Delaware National Guard for their important service.”

For the past month, tens of thousands of Citizen-Soldiers, Airmen, and women have answered the call in supporting the homeland – and Delaware is a strong partner. Since the end of August, about 50 Delaware National Guardsmen and women have deployed to support the relief effort.

At the end of August, the Delaware National Guard sent about a dozen Soldiers and Airmen to the National Guard Bureau to assist in staffing the NGB Joint Operations Center. These positions include experts in communications, operations, intelligence, logistics, and public affairs. We also launched a C-130 and flight crew to Texas. That team flew 11 sorties, transported 31 emergency aid personnel, more than 24 tons of cargo, and evacuated 183 people to safety.

On Labor Day Weekend, we deployed a team from our 142nd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron via C-130 aircraft to help in Texas. This team is comprised of flight nurses, aeromedical evacuation technicians, and a health services administrator. Fortunately, the team was not needed for any medical emergencies and returned home safely.

We currently have about 30 on duty and hundreds ready to support engineering, aviation, communications, transportation, vehicle and equipment maintenance, security, and medical needs.

* Please take a look at our Facebook page (Delaware National Guard) and our Instagram (#Delawarenationalguard) to view photos both the devastation and support efforts in Texas and the Caribbean. These photos are released and available for media use. We will continue to provide updates, and continue to post photos on our social media sites.

** Delaware National Guard will continue to provide updates as the event continues.

###