Governor John Bel Edwards deploys State Fire Marshal personnel to Puerto Rico to assist in the recovery from recent earthquakes. State Fire Marshall Butch Browning says Urban Search and Rescue specialists will survey and access damaged buildings.
“It’s 12,000 buildings so we’ll be there with another 50 or so other people trying to quickly get this project done. It’s a 14-day deployment and it can be extended longer if needed,” said Browning.
This is the first time for Louisiana to respond to an earthquake, but it is similar to handling other disasters his team is used to. Browning says the deployment keeps officials sharp on response tactics for emergencies in Louisiana.
“We’re learning lessons that we’ll bring back that will make Louisiana better, but we are paying forward a lot of help that we have received in the past. And of course, when we have a disaster in Louisiana, we expect those other states to come help us, and they do,” said Browning.
Browning says earthquakes are only the latest disaster that the island has had to deal with.
“Puerto Rico is still recovering from its first disaster which was a hurricane last year and now this recent earthquake and subsequent tremors that have occurred after that have caused significant damage,” said Browning.
23 deputies and personnel are on the deployment.
