The Maine Army National Guard is preparing to send 50 troops and heavy equipment to neighboring Massachusetts to help with snow removal.
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker this week declared a snow disaster and mobilized the Massachusetts National Guard to assist with the record-level snowfall that has crippled much of the state, especially heavily-populated Greater Boston.
Baker also requested help from other states through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, and Maine agreed to step up.
“Our neighbors in Massachusetts are in need of our assistance, and the Maine National Guard is ready, willing and able to help,” Gov. Paul LePage said in a statement. “It is during these difficult times that our service members rise to the occasion and give their support to those who need it most. I commend our men and women who are taking part in this effort and wish them a safe return home.”
The Maine soldiers and equipment will come from the 185th Engineer Support Company, based in Caribou; the 262nd Engineer Company, out of Westbrook; and the 136th Engineer Company in Skowhegan.
Equipment will include dump trucks, bucket loaders and bobcats but the number was still up in the air, according to Sgt. 1st Class Pete Morrison, a Maine National Guard spokesman.
The timetable also was still being finalized on Thursday morning, although Morrison said the Maine soldiers would likely depart on Friday.
The governors of New York, New Jersey and Vermont also have agreed to send assistance to Massachusetts.
New York sent 66 soldiers and 54 trucks and loaders to western Massachusetts on Wednesday, according to the Associated Press.
Vermont is sending 40 soldiers and 12 dump tracks on Friday, the AP reported.
Staff Writer Eric Russell can be contacted at 791-6344 or:
Twitter: @PPHEricRussell
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