Alabama Emergency Management Agency Deploys Team to Assist with Superstorm Sandy Response

MONTGOMERY – Governor Robert Bentley on Monday announced that a team from the Alabama Emergency Management Agency is now in New York assisting with the ongoing recovery from Superstorm Sandy.

The nine-person Incident Management Team is beginning a 14-day mission supporting the Federal Emergency Management Agency.  Team members were sent because of their experience in disaster response, including hurricane-specific recovery operations.  The team also has experience with the National Incident Management System.

“The Alabama Emergency Management Agency has the skills and experience needed to help communities recover,” Governor Bentley said.  “The team that is now in New York will make a tremendous and lasting impact.  Their work will be a benefit to everyone involved in the long-term recovery.  Alabama stands ready to help other states in any way we can.”

The Alabama EMA team will be initially deployed to the Joint Field Office in Queens, NY.  Team members will fill roles that are very similar to the roles they filled in Alabama in the wake of the deadly April 2011 tornadoes.

“After the tornado outbreak, FEMA teams from all over the country assisted in the recovery operations in Alabama,” EMA Director Art Faulkner said.  “Today, we are pleased to do what we can to return the favor and help support our Federal Emergency Management Agency partners.”

The team members are expected to return to Alabama on November 27.