Emergency Management Professionals Deployed to Alaska for Storm Response

Columbia, S.C. – Personnel from Charleston and Spartanburg County Emergency Management have been approved for deployment to assist with response and recovery efforts following the severe storm in Alaska.

The deployment was coordinated through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), the national mutual aid system that facilitates state-to-state disaster assistance.

"South Carolinians know all too well the devastation that severe flooding brings," said Governor Henry McMaster. "Just as other states have answered our call for assistance in times of need, South Carolina is ready to return that same support to Alaska. Our emergency management professionals are among the very best in the country, and they are fully prepared to assist in this recovery."

Alaska provided aid through the EMAC during the 2015 Flood and Hurricane Matthew in 2016.

Emergency management professionals from both counties will be aiding Alaska’s emergency response.

Spartanburg County Emergency Management has deployed Michael Brown as a Mass Care Deputy. Brown will support Mass Care operations by coordinating emergency assistance services for those affected by the storm.

Charleston County Emergency Management will be deploying Ben Webster as a Volunteer Agency Liaison and has deployed Owen Kutscher as a Situation Unit Leader.

While deployed, Webster will be coordinating with local, state, federal and volunteer organizations in the distribution of donations, volunteers and emergency assistance services. Kutscher will be collaborating with the planning section to support response and recovery.

South Carolina Emergency Management Division Director Kim Stenson reinforced the importance of state-to-state support.

“When Hurricane Helene hit our state last year, we were supported by other states through the EMAC,” said Stenson. “It’s important that we continue to help each other when disasters strike. Our emergency response community is ready and prepared to help.”

About EMAC

The Emergency Management Assistance Compact, or EMAC, is an interstate mutual aid agreement among all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam. EMAC enables the Governor (through state emergency management officials) to request disaster assistance such as personnel and equipment from other states before, during, or after a disaster. Impacted states looking for assistance broadcast resource requests through the EMAC system and other states may offer to fill the request if they have the necessary resources. The requesting state then chooses which assisting state’s offer to accept.