The Oregon Department of the State Fire Marshal has deployed an incident management team to North Carolina to assist with recovery efforts following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene.
The storm, which struck the western part of the state, resulted in severe flooding and left many communities without access to essential services.
According to the North Carolina Emergency Operations Center, 90 people remain missing, and several areas are still inaccessible.
The team, led by Incident Commander Ian Yocum, comprises an operations section chief, a plans section chief, and three logistics section chiefs.
They will be working in Yancey County, northeast of Asheville, and are expected to remain in North Carolina until October 30.
This mission follows similar deployments by the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s office, including a response to Hurricane Ian in Florida in 2022.
The deployment was coordinated through the Oregon Department of Emergency Management and the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), which facilitates national mutual aid for disasters.
EMAC allows states to provide rapid assistance to others during governor-declared emergencies, enabling the sharing of personnel, equipment, and supplies.
Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple expressed her gratitude to the team: “I want to thank those who are headed to North Carolina to help in their time of need.
“We certainly understand how critical help can be when communities are devastated by a disaster on such a wide scale.”
She added that North Carolina State Fire Marshal Bryan Taylor has also expressed appreciation for Oregon’s support.
Oregon’s incident management teams have a history of assisting in hurricane recovery.
The team currently deployed to North Carolina is no stranger to such missions, having previously worked in Florida in 2022 after Hurricane Ian.
Incident Commander Ian Yocum, who led the Florida team, is also heading the current mission.
Oregon’s all-hazard incident management teams are typically involved in wildfire response but are equipped to handle a wide range of emergencies.
The teams consist of personnel trained in emergency response and recovery, ensuring they are prepared to assist in various disaster scenarios.
Hurricane Helene has left long-lasting damage in North Carolina, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach areas.
Oregon’s incident management team is expected to play a vital role in the early stages of recovery by supporting local agencies in managing resources and logistics.
The team’s experience in responding to large-scale disasters will aid in addressing the immediate needs of the affected communities.
Their deployment is part of a broader national response that includes multiple states providing assistance through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact.
The Oregon Department of the State Fire Marshal has sent a six-person incident management team to North Carolina to assist in the recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene, which caused widespread flooding and left many communities cut off from essential services.
The deployment, led by Incident Commander Ian Yocum, will last until October 30.
Coordinated through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, Oregon’s response is part of a larger national effort to provide aid.
This team has previously assisted in hurricane recovery, notably in Florida after Hurricane Ian in 2022.
