MISSISSIPPI DEPLOYS SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAM TO ASSIST FLORIDA IN HURRICANE DORIAN RESPONSE

Due to the impacts of Hurricane Dorian, Mississippi deployed members of its search and rescue team to Florida over the weekend. The purpose of the deployment is to support and assist with potential swift water rescue operations.

The deployment was fulfilled via a request through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), which is a national interstate mutual aid agreement that enables states to share resources during times of disaster.

Here is a list of some of the equipment deployed:

• One runabout boat
• One inflatable rescue raft
• One Mobile Response trailer
• One Swiftwater Equipment trailer
• One Enclosed Mobile Command trailer

The team consists of 39 members and represents 20 cities, counties or associations within the state. They are listed below:

Amory Fire Department                                      Lamar County                                                     

Biloxi Fire Department                                         McComb Fire Department

City of Olive Branch                                              Mississippi Levee Board

Choctaw Fire Department                                   Ocean Springs Fire Department

Columbus Fire Department                                 Oxford Fire Department

DeSoto County                                                       Petal Fire Department

Gautier Fire Department                                     Southaven Fire Department

Gulfport Fire Department                                   Tupelo Fire Department

Hattiesburg Fire Department                              Walls Fire Department

Hernando Fire Department                                 Water Valley Fire Department

MEMA and other state agencies are prepared to provide additional support as it is requested.

For updates on this mission, you can “Like” MEMA on Facebook and “Follow” MEMA on Twitter @msema. You can also visit www.msema.org.