Colo. Air National Guard assisting in Wash. with landslide disaster zone

  • Published
  • By Colorado National Guard
  • Public Affairs
CENTENNIAL, Colo. --  Colo. National Guard activated 16 Airmen including members of the Fatality Search and Recovery Team to assist the Washington National Guard and local civilian authority with the recent landslides in Oso, Wash.

The FSRT receives specialized training in supporting local coroner efforts by locating and removing the deceased from an incident scene to a fatality processing station. There are only 27 National Guard FSRTs throughout the entire country.

Gov. John Hickenlooper, by executive order, authorized the use of CONG resources through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact. It is a national mutual-aid partnership agreement that allows state-to state assistance during governor- or federally-declared emergencies.

"My heart goes to those affected by this tragedy," said the Adjutant General of Colorado Maj. Gen. H. Michael Edwards. "This is a mission we never want to perform, but we have well-trained and caring members ready to support the people of Washington."

Photos of the National Guard response efforts in Oso, Wash. available at:
Washington National Guard

http://www.dvidshub.net/unit/JFH-WNG#.UzXOFzZMGAU

Questions regarding the Colorado National Guard involvement contact the CONG State Public Affairs Office at ng.co.coarng.list.staff-pao2@mail.mil or 720-250-1053.

Questions regarding the Washington National Guard contact Washington National Guard PAO at pao@washingtonguard.org or 253-512-8989. Alternate contact is Karina Shagren at 253-442-4765.