LANSING (WKZO-AM/FM) — Three-hundred fifty members of the 3rd Battalion, 126th Infantry Division of the Michigan National Guard have been issued a warning order that they may be deployed to support relief efforts in Texas.
The Air National Guard is already preparing three transport helicopters and a transport plane for deployment to the disaster area and for use transporting supplies.
The 3rd Battalion is based at four locations in Michigan including Dowagiac and Wyoming but it’s members come from all over the state.
The aircraft, their pilots and crew and support personnel are based in Grand Ledge and could soon all be headed south as soon as the Texas National Guard finds space for them.
The Red Cross has sent trained disaster response workers, and the Michigan National Guard may be deployed in the disaster area in Texas, but Michigan State Police are urging people not to head for the Texas Gulf on their own to try and lend a helping hand. Capt. Chris Kelenske says any group or individual putting together a relief effort should check with their local emergency manager.
They may have funding available if the proposal is sound, and can advise others on the dangers they face entering a disaster area without liability coverage, death benefits or workers comp.
Bottom line they say self-deployment relief efforts can sap efficiency, mess up logistics and all those good intentions could just create more problems.
The Kellogg Company of Battle Creek says it’s working with a hunger relief agency in Texas to receive $100,000 and cereal for use in the relief efforts.
Keeping all the displaced and struggling survivors fed will be part of the challenge over the next few weeks. “Feeding America” already operates food banks in the region and has its own distribution network. The Company says it may send more later if the need continues.
