Press Releases
01/26/2016
Gov. Malloy: Connecticut Sending Crews to Assist with Snow Clean-Up in DC and Maryland
Click to enlarge
(HARTFORD, CT) - Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced that the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is sending crews and equipment to Washington, DC and Maryland to assist with snow removal and clean-up from last weekend's historic snowfalls. The crews - comprised of about 30 workers in all - will leave Connecticut tonight at midnight and be on the job Wednesday morning.
The crews are being deployed under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact - a state-to-state agreement under which governments provide assistance to each other in times of natural disasters or other emergencies. In November 2014, Connecticut sent crews to upstate New York to assist with snow removal after a storm that left a reported 100 inches of snow in some locations.
"We know what it's like to experience extraordinary weather events, and we know how important the help of neighbors can be during recovery. That's why I am pleased that we are able to provide this support to our neighbors. It's important that we all work together in times of need," Governor Malloy said. "Connecticut remains well-prepared to for future extreme weather events - far more prepared than we were several years ago."
"Our crews - who volunteered for this assignment - will be working around the clock to get the job done," CTDOT Commissioner James P. Redeker said. "It is reassuring that we have this cooperative, reciprocal arrangement, similar to what we try to do with major power outages and even fires and other emergencies in the region. We are pleased that we can make these resources available in this time of need."
Connecticut will be sending two seven-person crews each to Gaithersburg, Maryland and Washington, DC (for a total of four crews) along with four jumbo snowblowers, four plow trucks, repair gear, and other ancillary equipment. The snowblowers, which can move 1,500 tons of snow per hour, are mounted on traditional loaders and, when in operation, are followed by plow trucks to assist in clearing roads.
The crews will leave at about midnight tonight from CTDOT maintenance facilities in Wethersfield (501 Goff Road) and Darien (behind the I-95 southbound service plaza). It is expected that they will spend three to five days on this assignment.
States are typically reimbursed for these costs through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. There is no cost to Connecticut taxpayers for these out-of-state operations.
- Twitter: @GovMalloyOffice
- Facebook: Office of Governor Dannel P. Malloy