Governor Mike Pence today announced that two teams based in Indiana are being deployed to support activities in response to Hurricane Matthew. The Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) is deploying a six-person Emergency Operations Center (EOC) team to Tallahassee, Fla. to help support Florida’s State EOC. Indiana Task Force 1, a federal resource comprised of central Indiana emergency responders, will also be sending seven members to Marietta, Ga., and the National Response Coordination Center in Washington, D.C.
Earlier today, Governor Pence spoke with Florida Governor Rick Scott and offered any assistance needed.
“Commitment to service for the well-being of others is a part of the Hoosier way of life,” said Governor Pence. “I commend these public safety professionals for their courage and willingness to help those in harm’s way, and I pray for the safety of all those who could be affected by the hurricane.”
The National Weather Service reports Hurricane Matthew is a Category 4 storm and is expected to make landfall late Thursday/early Friday morning in the U.S.
The EOC team is being deployed because IDHS received a request for assistance from Florida and quickly facilitated the inter-government logistics required to make the EOC team available on short notice. The Indiana EOC team will provide support with operations, planning, logistics and incident command. The team will be deployed for 14 days, or until demobilized.Indiana Task Force 1 will send four hazardous materials specialists as well as three incident support team members.
Indiana first responders and emergency management professionals frequently work with colleagues in other states to share resources and expertise. For example, Indiana sent an incident management team to Maryland to assist with severe weather in January and sent crews to help fight west coast wildfires in 2015. IDHS manages emergency response policies, protocols and procedures among Indiana responders.
