Thursday, February 11, 2010

Guard supports Washington blizzard response

More than 100 Soldiers and Airmen from the District of Columbia National Guard were on duty Friday and Saturday, supporting the district’s emergency response to a weekend blizzard.

The Guard members transported patients and doctors to area hospitals, took Metro Police officers to and from work throughout the city and even transported Metro Police Chief Cathy Lanier to a shooting scene on Stanton Avenue.

Officials said Guard personnel were expected to remain on duty through Feb. 9 in support of one of the worst blizzards in the history of the National Capital Region.

“This is our job, and this is what we do,” said Army Maj. Gen. Errol R. Schwartz, commanding general of the D.C. Guard Joint Force Headquarters. “We have always answered the call for help from the District of Columbia at a moment’s notice, and our people have done a tremendous job in supporting emergency missions during this historic blizzard.”

D.C. National Guard personnel were needed to drive a dozen Humvees to Metro Police precincts throughout the city Friday, and proved to be invaluable as the storm worsened and roadways became impassable. In addition to the Humvees, support personnel were stationed at the district’s armory and at the D.C. Homeland Security Emergency Management Agency, which was the hub of the city’s
response to the storm.