Per Gov. Jared Polis verbal declaration of disaster emergency, nearly 100 Colorado National Guard (CONG) members are supporting Archuleta County authorities, providing aviation and ground search and rescue assistance for flooding in southwest Colorado.
Polis declared a state of emergency Oct. 22 and authorized the Colorado National Guard to mobilize in support of the flood response.
“We are rapidly mobilizing to help our neighbors respond to this emergency,” said Director of Joint Staff U.S. Army Brig. Gen. William DiProfio. “The Colorado National Guard has the capability to save lives, reduce suffering, and protect property.”
Approximately 20 CONG members will comprise Task Force Aviation to operate, maintain, refuel, recover and sustain two assigned helicopters which include a hoist equipped UH-60 Black Hawk and LUH-72 Lakota for aerial search and rescue. The teams will stage and operate out of Pagosa Springs.
Nearly 80 additional personnel and 30 tactical vehicles will comprise Task Force GSAR (Ground Search and Rescue) to support the incident command in flood-affected areas.
The CONG last supported flood response in Beulah, Colo., during 2017.
The use of CONG forces in a support role relieves local first responders actively responding to calls in the community.
Joint Task Force-Centennial is a standing task force ready to respond to domestic emergencies as directed by the governor.
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