Up to 245 Louisiana National Guard soldiers are deploying to Florida to aid in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. Lt. Col. William Saint said they’re also providing two helicopters, two movement control teams, a horizontal engineer company, and light to medium truck support.
“And we’re going to make sure that we’re prepared to save lives, protect property, restore civil order, reestablish communications and ensure the continuity of government,” said Saint.
The last two years have been nonstop for the Louisiana National Guard providing pandemic support in addition to back-to-back deviating hurricanes in the Bayou State. Saint said they are trained to respond to a variety of events and ready to answer the call no matter where it may be.
“It doesn’t matter whether it’s a natural disaster, whether it’s a pandemic response, whether it’s a winter event or a summer event, we’re ready to do whatever’s necessary in support of civil authorities,” said Saint.
And while many of the Louisiana guardsmen have personally experienced hurricane devastation of their own, Saint said Hurricane Ian is an opportunity to return the favor.
“Whether it was Laura, Delta, Zeta, Ida, or any of the storms in years past, we’ve always had assistance from other states, and it just seems rare for us to get the opportunity to pay it back,” said Saint.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis asked Governor Edwards to send Louisiana guardsmen as part of the Emergency Management Assistant Compact.
