MEMA Team Headed South To Aid Hurricane Michael Recovery

Damage from Hurricane Michael in Mexico Beach, Florida. (Chris O'Meara-Pool/Getty Images)

BOSTON (WBZ-AM) -- Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker has authorized a team from MEMA to head south and assist with response and recovery efforts from Hurricane Michael.

Three members of the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency will be deploying to Florida over the weekend. Officials had been keeping an eye on requests, and MEMA spokesperson Chris Besse told WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Ben Parker that one of those requests was for infrastructure support teams.

"Those people have specialized skill sets in the area of infrastructure, wastewater, some of the things that Florida is looking for to help," Besse said.

But they won't be helping with cleanup out in the field.

"These employees will be working in the Florida State Emergency Operations Center," Besse said. "So really doing some of that logistical support, helping coordinate across agencies, and working with different vendors. As the recovery process continues, as issues come up in these specific areas, they're sort of the subject matter experts."

The employees, one from the Department of Energy Resources and two from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, will be deployed for about two weeks--though that could change. Two of the team members have experience there, as they were deployed last year in the wake of Hurricane Irma.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Ben Parker (@radiobenparker) reports


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