WALLA WALLA, Wash. – Twelve U.S. Army Corps of Engineers employees from the Walla Walla District departed for Pittsburgh, Penn., on Saturday, Feb. 9, in response to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s request to provide support to areas projected to be impacted by a northeastern severe weather system, nicknamed “Winter Storm Nemo,” according to District emergency management officials here.
Deployed Walla Walla District emergency power team members will assist FEMA - Region I emergency operations across the northeastern United States www.fema.gov/region-i-ct-me-ma-nh-ri-vt, where between 1-3 feet of snow fell this weekend, with hurricane-strength wind gusts creating massive drifts, according to National Weather Service reports www.weather.gov and local news media stories.
The Walla Walla District maintains one of the Corps’ eight power teams, ready to deploy as part of the Corps’ Emergency Support Function (ESF) #3, public works and engineering-related support. The all-volunteer teams can provide backup electrical power generation anywhere an emergency makes the service needed. Team members agree to be in an on-call status, ready to deploy on short-notice when disaster strikes. Power team members directly support FEMA emergency management staging areas and operations centers. Walla Walla District power team members currently deployed to support FEMA’s “Nemo” storm operations include:
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Name\Hometown
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Walla Walla District Title\Location
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Power Team Title
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Danielle Stephens
Walla Walla, Wash.
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structural engineer,
Engineering and Construction Division, Walla Walla District Headquarters
|
mission manager
|
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James Wade
Pomeroy, Wash.
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maintenance management technician,
Lower Granite Lock and Dam near Pomeroy, Wash.
|
logistic specialist
|
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George Peck
Kennewick, Wash.
|
power plant electrician crew supervisor,
Lower Monumental Lock and Dam near Kahlotus, Wash.
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quality assurance inspector
|
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James Lyerly
Pomeroy, Wash.
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power plant electrician,
Little Goose Lock and Dam near Starbuck, Wash.
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quality assurance inspector
|
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Katie Goodwin
Walla Walla, Wash.
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administrative officer,
Programs and Project Management Branch, Walla Walla District Headquarters
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mission specialist
|
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Rick Beauchesne
Walla Walla, Wash.
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operations project manager,
Mill Creek Dam and Bennington Lake near Walla Walla, Wash.
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mission liaison
|
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Carl Knaak
Walla Walla, Wash.
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mechanical engineer,
Programs and Project Management Branch, Walla Walla District Headquarters
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action officer
|
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Jean Desjarlais
Walla Walla, Wash.
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project manager,
Programs and Project Management Branch, Walla Walla District Headquarters
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mission specialist
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Julie Morris
Walla Walla, Wash.
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procurement technician,
Contracting Division, Walla Walla District Headquarters
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contract specialist
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Deanne Lingo
White Salmon, Wash.
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power plant electrical planner,
McNary Lock and Dam near Umatilla, Ore.
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mission specialist
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| Rich Hilt
Colfax, Wash.
|
supervisory electrical engineer,
Lower Granite Lock and Dam near Pomeroy, Wash.
|
action officer |
| Gary Humphreys
Kahlotus, Wash.
|
power plant operator,
Lower Monumental Lock and Dam near Kahlotus, Wash
|
quality assurance inspector |
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is prepared and ready to respond to natural and man-made disasters. When disasters occur, it is not just a local Corps district or office that responds. Personnel and other resources are mobilized across the country to carry out response missions. The command is part of the federal government’s unified national response to disasters and emergencies and is the designated lead for ESF #3, public works and engineering-related support. The Corps conducts its emergency response activities under two basic authorities – the Flood Control and Coastal Emergency Act, and when mission assigned by FEMA, under the Stafford Disaster and Emergency Assistance Act.
In any disaster, the Corps’ top priorities are 1) support immediate emergency response priorities; 2) sustain lives with critical commodities, temporary emergency power and other needs; and 3) initiate recovery efforts by assessing and restoring critical infrastructure.
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror. Check out www.usace.army.mil/Missions/EmergencyOperations.aspx for more information about the Corps of Engineers’ emergency management mission and roles in supporting national disasters.
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