SANDSTON, Va. -- The Virginia National Guard has nearly 200 personnel staged and ready for duty today at key locations across Northern Virginia to assist with the state's multi-agency response to possible heavy snow.
And, nearly 1,700 National Guardsmen are deployed in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania, according to the National Guard Bureau.
Expected missions for the guard include using Humvees and light medium tactical trucks to provide transportation for first responders through deep snow or helping to evacuate citizens in need of shelter, as well as providing debris reduction teams with chain saws to clear roads, if needed.
Rapid Positioning of Troops, Equipment
"Once again, our soldiers have demonstrated their ability to safely and rapidly position troops and equipment at key locations so they are ready to assist citizens of the Commonwealth during times of hazardous weather," said Army Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the adjutant general of Virginia. "Our emergency response partners at the state and local level count on our capabilities as part of the overall response plan, and we continue to demonstrate that we are a force that will always be there when we are needed. We also owe a special thanks to our families and employers for their support that is so vital to our success."
Additional soldiers, airmen and Virginia Defense Force members are on duty in Richmond, Sandston and Fort Pickett providing mission command, sustainment and public information support, officials said. The VDF also has incident management assistance teams supporting guard units at multiple field locations.
State of Emergency
Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe declared a state of emergency yesterday and authorized state agencies to assist local governments as they prepare and respond to the winter weather. In a news release, McAuliffe urged Virginians to prepare for this major winter storm, which could dump up to a foot or more of snow in northern regions of the state.
"Virginians may have enjoyed milder temperatures for the past several weeks, but the forecast is calling for winter weather to return to the commonwealth this week with what could be a major winter storm for northern portions of the commonwealth," McAuliffe said. "With this forecast in mind, all Virginians should take the necessary precautions now to ensure they are prepared for travel disruptions and possible power outages during a cold-weather period."
In declaring a state of emergency, the governor authorized state agencies to identify and position resources for quick response anywhere they are needed in Virginia.
"We anticipate that localities across Northern Virginia will need high mobility transport capabilities, and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management requested we stage resources in those areas in order to rapidly respond if needed," said Army Col. Thomas L. Morgan III, Virginia National Guard director of joint operations.
Providing Assistance to First Responders
During domestic operations, the Virginia National Guard receives missions through the Virginia Department of Emergency Management to assist the Virginia State Police and other state and local emergency service organizations and is not able to respond to direct support requests from the public, Morgan said.
"If you are in a dangerous situation and need assistance, please contact your local dispatcher or call 911," Morgan said. "If you let them know you need help, they will determine the most effective emergency services response for your situation. They will contact the Guard if it is appropriate for us to respond, and we will follow up as quickly as possible."
The Virginia National Guard last served on state active duty Jan. 7-9, 2017, when nearly 200 personnel were on duty in the Hampton Roads area with less than 12 hours notification. Soldiers were staged and ready the morning of Jan. 7, and their assistance included recovering a fire truck in Newport News and helping Virginia State Police clear abandoned vehicles in Accomack County.
New York Army National Guard soldiers prepare their Humvees for missions in Latham, N.Y., as a massive snowstorm hits the region, March 14, 2017. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Maj. Corine Lombardo