Irene Preparations in Colorado Springs
Hurricane Irene is calling upon nationwide preparations. The United States Northern Command, based out of Peterson Air Force Base, is making the necessary preparations in the event their assistance is called upon by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Lt. Col. Michael Humphreys tells KRDO Newschannel 13 that they are capable of providing medical support, transportation vehicles such as helicopters and trucks, patient evacuation, search and rescue teams, and a multitude of other services if the need arises.
?In this situation we are the command oversight of those assets, we have subordinate commands across the country that will essentially employ those assets if deemed necessary or called upon,? said Humphreys.
Humphreys said several officials from Colorado Springs are located along the East Coast, assessing the situation.
?Right now, we are basically assessing how we can provide assistance if called on so that we can bring those assets to bear, very rapidly,? said Humphreys.
Humphreys said that if FEMA calls upon their services they are ready to do whatever they can to protect the people impacted by Hurricane Irene.
?In a time of emergency like this, being able to bring additional assets to bear, to assist if necessary, to limit human suffering and potential loss of life, is integral to defending he homeland,? Humphreys said.
