The United States Army Corps of Engineers is coordinating with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide disaster response support in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks. The Corps is the designated Department of Defense (DoD) planning and operating agent for Emergency Support Function (ESF) #3, Public Works and Engineering, of the Federal Response Plan.
The Corps is executing several missions under ESF 3, including providing technical assistance for debris removal, electrical power assessment and structural assessments during operations in New York. Corps members are also providing technical assistance for debris removal and the Pentagon in Virginia.
Corps teams and individuals from around the country are prepared to respond with expertise in debris removal, structural analysis, urban search and rescue, emergency power, and ice as might be requested by FEMA.
Structural Assessment and Debris Removal from Baltimore District is deployed to Edison, N.J. to assist with the debris removal mission in New York. Fifteen Corps structural assessment personnel are also deploying to Edison, N.J. A second team from Louisville is moving to Arlington, Va., to assist at the Pentagon.
The Corps has deployed assessment teams from the 249th Engineer Battalion (Prime Power) to forward mobilization sites in New Jersey and Virginia to prepare for deployment into New York City and to the Pentagon. Seven members of the 249th are on duty at the Pentagon. Four portable generators are on site.
Other members of the battalion are on alert at Ft. Belvoir, Va. and Ft. Bragg, N.C.
The Corps' 249th Engineering Battalion (Prime Power) provides advice and technical assistance in all aspects of electrical power and distribution systems. It deploys worldwide to generate and distribute prime electrical power in support of war fighting, stability and support operations, and disaster relief operations. It maintains Army prime power generation and distribution reserve stocks.
The battalion trains DoD personnel in the operation, maintenance, and management of prime power generator sets, power plants, and associated distribution systems equipment.
Two Rapid Response Vehicles (RRV) have reported to Fort Hamilton and a third has been placed on alert. The RRV is part of the Deployable Tactical Operations System (DTOS) and serves as a mobile command and control center for emergency response missions.
As of 11:00 a.m. today (Sept. 14), 69 Corps personnel from around the nation are directly supporting recovery operations.
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Source: U.S. Government Website |