Press Releases
11/27/2017
Gov. Malloy Announces Connecticut Has Deployed 13 State Troopers To Puerto Rico For Post-Hurricane Tour Of Duty
(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced that Connecticut’s Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) has deployed 13 state troopers as part of Connecticut’s ongoing efforts to assist in Puerto Rico’s post-hurricane recovery efforts. The troopers, 12 of whom are fluent in Spanish, will be patrolling and providing security and traffic assistance in conjunction with the local police in Puerto Rico. The crew departed Bradley Airport early Monday morning.
“Connecticut is home to some of the bravest, brightest, and most selfless state troopers in the nation,” Governor Malloy said. “I’m incredibly proud of the troopers that volunteered to assist the people of Puerto Rico in their time of need, and wish them a successful tour of duty, and a safe return home. These deployments build upon Connecticut’s major hurricane recovery support efforts, including the over 70 recovery missions engaged in by our National Guard.”
“Connecticut knows first-hand how important it is to get Puerto Rico recovered,” Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman said. “I commend the Connecticut State Police Troopers for their assistance in these efforts and I thank them and their families for their service. Our troopers are the most respected law enforcement officials in the world with their long history of support. I wish them best wishes and a safe return.”
“We could not be more proud of the troopers who have stepped up to partner with Puerto Rico Police to keep its towns and cities safe as the Island continues to recover from Hurricanes Irma and Maria,” DESPP Commissioner Dora Schriro said. “The Connecticut State Police – the nation’s first state police agency – continues to demonstrate the many ways in which they are among the most community-focused police forces in the country.”
Additional action steps that the State of Connecticut has taken in the aftermath of the devastating hurricanes in Puerto Rico includes, but are not limited to:
• More than 100 National Guardsmen have been tapped for support, which includes 73 missions aboard C-130s. They have been primarily involved in communications, security forces, maintenance, and aerial port operations.
• Over 1,701 calls have been placed to the 211 system to connect evacuees and their support/sponsors here in Connecticut with available services and donated resources.
• Release of Information and Resource Guide by 211 in English and Spanish.
• Weekly phone calls of state agencies, NGOs, to discuss status, emerging issues.
• Weekly phone calls/meetings convened by the 5 Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS) Regional Coordinators with communities to determine (1) status of support operations; (2) number of students enrolled, and; (3) emerging issues.
• Developed and implemented a communications framework to: (1) coordinate information sharing among Task Force members; (2) disseminate information to the community, and; (3) receive and review for action community unmet needs.
• Weekly phone calls of Case Management Task Force with state and local NGOs:
o Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, United Way 211
o CT Rises
o Red Cross
o Integrating Housing Working Group—state and local NGOs
• State agencies and NGOs have been greeting direct flights from San Juan since October 13.
• Updated and revised our Hurricane Evacuees Support Plan in the event of FEMA-sponsored or supported evacuee relocation to Connecticut.
• Department of Consumer Protection is actively vetting charitable organizations.
• Department of Children and Families and Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services have made the Disaster Behavioral Health Regional Network available.
• Office of Early Childhood is helping to identify childcare opportunities.
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Office of Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman