Aug 16, 2008 8:17 pm US/Eastern
Florida National Guard Prepares For Fay
TALLAHASSEE (CBS4) ―
The Florida National Guard is ready and waiting to support Florida's State Emergency Response Team when Tropical Storm Fay hits land.
Governor Crist placed the state National Guard under the command of State Coordinating Officer Craig Fugate when he signed the executive order creating a State of Emergency.
The Guard has begun setting up planning centers to determine where and when equipment and assistance is needed. Guard members are being prepped to mobilize and deploy to areas that could soon need help. Florida National Guard Soldiers and Airmen are trained for a wide range of life support, security and public safety missions.
Guard members are anticipating assisting in search and rescue missions, delivering water and food supplies, handling security operations and supporting the Division of Emergency Management.
This time last year, there were concerns that there were too many troops overseas taking part in the ongoing War on Terror to fully keep Florida safe following a severe storm. Even more of a concern was the large amount of equipment based overseas to support those troops. Now, a majority of the soldiers and airmen, along with the equipment they need, are back state-side. There are currently more than 8,500 people available to support emergency operations.
Additional personnel and equipment can be mobilized from other states is necessary.
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