WALDORF, Md. – This week in preparation of “Hurricane Florence” the volunteer fire leadership met to refine the Charles County Severe Weather Policies in the event the disaster was to come north effecting our county. We were absolutely ready to provide disaster relief if it were required; however “mother nature” decided to turn south upon entry on land in North Carolina.
County Fire Chief Mark Kaufmann, Jr. reports, “After 2 long days of working with Maryland Emergency Management Agency and getting the proper information passed back and forth, Charles County Volunteer Fire Resources will be deploying to North Carolina to support the relief efforts from Hurricane Florence. This is based off an Emergency Management Assistance Compact Request from Federal Emergency Management Agency on Wednesday Evening and with the assistance of Emergency Management Chief Michelle Lilly, we have finalized all the paperwork for their deployment. We do not have an exact area for their deployment, but they will be reporting to JROSI Base Camp in Raleigh and will be deployed from there. The deployment time will be for 5 days. The plan is for all units to meet up at 1000 hrs. Saturday morning at Waldorf Volunteer Fire Station 3 at 3245 Old Washington Road, Waldorf, MD to mobilize and convoy down the road together. They are scheduled to be in Raleigh at 1800 hrs.”
The following units are being deployed:
- Benedict VFD – Engine 51 w/Chief 5 – 3 Volunteers Waldorf VFD – Brush 3 – 2 Volunteers
- Waldorf VFD – Brush 12 – 2 Volunteers Waldorf VFD – Tanker 12 – 2 Volunteers
- Waldorf VFD is also sending a Utility Truck for Logistical support for our units
“This is the first time since 1998 we have deployed resources and have an opportunity to provide relief support during a natural disaster. I personally commend the departments and their personnel for stepping up and giving up their time and going down there to assist”, added Chief Kaufmann.
