Virginia law officers head to Gulf Coast ahead of Gustav

The Virginian-Pilot
© August 31, 2008

Law enforcement officers from Virginia are leaving for the Gulf Coast today to assist with search, rescue and evacuations during the impending hurricane, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine's office announced early this morning.

Thirty officers with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries are headed for a staging area in Baton Rouge, La., at the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

The officers, who are equipped with chainsaws, axes, extra fuel, parts and equipment , should arrive tomorrow morning, according to a statement from the governor's office. They are expected to be in areas threatened by Hurricane Gustav for about a week.

On Friday, the governor had activated the Emergency Management Assistance Compact to help states on the Gulf Coast prepare for Hurricane Gustav. EMAC is a national agreement that enables states to share resources during disasters.

Kaine is asking that Virginia residents "refrain from self-deploying to the area," according to his office. Volunteers should contact an organization listed in the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster. Go to www.nvoad.org.

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