Governor Hochul has deployed snow removal personnel and equipment from New York State to help Massachusetts dig out from a blizzard that brought more than two feet of snow to areas across the southeastern region of the state. The New York State Thruway Authority, New York State Department of Transportation and the New York Power Authority are providing the equipment in response to a request for assistance. Snow removal operations across New York State remain underway and personnel or equipment remain readily available for localities statewide if needed.
“I am grateful to all of our first responders and snow removal staff who have worked tirelessly throughout this historic blizzard to keep impacted communities in New Yorkers safe,” Governor Hochul said. “Thanks to their efforts, we are well-positioned as snow removal efforts continue in New York, and stand ready to support Governor Healey and the people of Massachusetts as they continue their recovery efforts.”
New York State Thruway Authority deployments include 10 large dump trucks and 16 personnel:
- 12 operators
- 2 supervisors
- 2 mechanics
New York State Department of Transportation deployments include 58 personnel:
- 46 operators
- 3 supervisors
- 2 management staff
- 2 employee safety and health representatives
- 5 fleet staff (4 mechanics and 1 supervising mechanic)
As well as 69 pieces of equipment including:
- 12 loaders
- 12 skid steers (6 with blowers)
- 10 lowboy trailers
- 12 equipment trailers
- 12 medium-duty/patrol trucks
- 6 light-duty pickup trucks
- 2 minivans
- 2 service trucks
- 1 fleet recruitment trailer
New York Power Authority deployments include two lowboy tractor trailers to support movement of snow removal equipment and truck operators.
This assistance was primarily deployed as part of the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), the nation’s all-hazards national mutual aid system. EMAC has been ratified by the U.S. Congress (PL 104-321) and is law in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Northern Mariana Islands. EMAC’s members can share resources from all disciplines, protect personnel who deploy and be reimbursed for mission-related costs.
Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Acting Commissioner Terry O’Leary said, “When this week’s historic storm sped up the East Coast, Massachusetts was hit even harder than New York. While we are still digging out in some places, we are happy to have team members bring extra resources to help our Bay State neighbors.”
