The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), working with Oregon’s
Office of Emergency Management (OEM), is filling a request from the Florida
Division of Emergency Management for an All-Hazards Incident Management Team
(IMT) to support the response to Hurricane Michael.
The request is coordinated through the Emergency Management Assistance
Compact (EMAC) agreement. The EMAC offers assistance among states and
territories during any governor-declared state of emergency through a
responsive system, providing a mutual aid structure. This allows states to send
personnel, equipment, and supplies to assist with response and relief efforts
in other states.
While ODF utilizes the EMAC most often during fire season, agency Incident
Management Teams maintain All-Hazard qualifications to ensure capacity for
potential disaster relief needs. ODF’s complete and coordinated fire
suppression system relies on strong partnerships with other agencies, states
and even countries, offering reciprocal assistance in times of need.
With an estimated 23,000 residents still without power in wake of this
catastrophic storm, the ODF IMT, led by Incident Commander Chris Cline, is
eager to bring some added capacity to their counterparts in Florida.
 |
| The IMT departing to Florida on Monday. |
“Our strong partnerships with fellow agencies and states have proven
invaluable to our success in wildfire suppression,” Cline said. “Just a few
months ago we had an IMT from Florida standing side-by-side with our folks
battling wildfire here in Oregon. Knowing the bases are covered on the home
front with fire season winding down, our team is ready and willing to get to
work. We’re truly grateful for the opportunity to return the favor.”
Arriving in Tallahassee, Fla. Monday afternoon,
the team will be working out of a base camp in Panama City, in the epicenter of
the devastation zone. The ODF IMT anticipates a full deployment of 14 days.