Update 12:15 p.m.: Governor Charlie Baker confirmed at a noon press conference that 500 National Guard soldiers have been called up for snow removal assistance across the state.
“Historic snowfalls, unprecedented times, call for unprecedented actions,” Gov. Baker said at the podium.
The governor said he met with cabinet members and MEMA officials Monday night to draw up an action plan in order to get the state back up and running as quickly as possible.
National Guard troops were called up Monday night, Gov. Baker said. “Fifty teams of four men and women will be deployed in Humvees” and tasked with helping cities and towns shovel sidewalks and areas surrounding fire hydrants, he said. The rest of the troops – 300 soldiers – will operate “roughly 30 pieces” of heavy machinery to lift snow.
Troops will initially be deployed across eastern Massachusetts cities and towns, Gov. Baker said.
The state has called on the Vermont, New York and Pennsylvania National Guards for hundreds of additional pieces of snow removal equipment. Equipment from Vermont is scheduled to arrive Tuesday night; resources from New York and Pennsylvania are scheduled to arrive Wednesday, Gov. Baker said.
The governor also authorized the state’s purchase of two additional snow melters. He said the state is working with the city of Boston to bring up two more snow melters from New York.
After addressing his action plan, Gov. Baker took questions from the media, many of which focused on the MBTA. The governor repeatedly stated that the T – an independent agency that answers only to the state Department of Transportation board of directors – has provided unacceptable service during recent snow storms.
Related: “GM Beverly Scott Defends the MBTA, Has Yet to Meet With Gov. Baker“
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Earlier: Governor Charlie Baker on Tuesday activated the National Guard to help with snow removal operations in cities and tows across Massachusetts. The National Guard is anticipating “potentially” as many as 500 soldiers will be called up to provide assistance, a Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency spokesperson confirmed with BostInno.
“About half” of the soldiers that could be called up Tuesday will operate heavy-lifting equipment to remove the snow, while the rest provide on-the-ground assistance in local communities, MEMA spokesperson Peter Judge said in a phone call.
The governor is expected to provide more details at press conference scheduled to take place at noon, Judge confirmed. National Guard soldiers are expected to be activated at approximately the same time.
MEMA’s spokesperson was unable to provide details about National Guard operations specific to Boston.
Photo via the Rappaport Center/CC BY 2.0.
