An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | Aug. 4, 2014

Ohio National Guard members distribute water and food as Toledo area copes with 'do not drink' advisory

By Ohio National Guard

COLUMBUS, Ohio — In response to a state of emergency declared in Lucas County and the greater Toledo area, Ohio Gov. John Kasich has ordered a contingent of the Ohio National Guard to state active duty. 

A harmful algae bloom has affected the Toledo public water system. City officials have issued a “do not drink” notice in the affected areas. Early reports are that about 400,000 people in and around Ohio’s fourth-largest city are affected; 329 Guard members are involved in the response, according to figures from the National Guard Bureau.

Ohio National Guard members are deploying to support residents in Lucas, Wood and Fulton counties. They will deliver water purification systems, pallets of bottled water and military Meals, Ready to Eat (MREs). 

“Our Soldiers and Airmen are highly trained and ready to respond,” said Maj. Gen. Deborah A. Ashenhurst, Ohio adjutant general. “We have specialized equipment and stockpiles of supplies that can bring some relief to the area.” 

Soldiers and Airmen from the Ohio National Guard’s 371st Task Force are providing the personnel for the mission. 

The Ohio National Guard headquarters has activated its Crisis Action Team and Joint Planning Group, consisting of both Air and Army Guard members, to manage response efforts.

However, by late morning Monday, Toledo Mayor D. Michael Collins announced that because water tests showed non-detectable levels of the toxin, officials were lifting the ban on using tap water, according to the Toledo Blade newspaper.



 

 

Related Articles
A U.S. Air Force Airman assigned to the 146th Airlift Wing marshals a C-130H Hercules at the Combat Readiness and Training Center, Gulfport, Mississippi, Feb. 5, 2025. Exercise Sentry South-Southern Strike is a joint military training focusing on contingency response operations, agile combat employment, aeromedical evacuation, maritime training, specialized fueling operations and strategic airlift and airdrops.
Air Guard Conducts Sentry South-Southern Strike Exercise
By Senior Airman Shardae McAfee, | Feb. 7, 2025
GULFPORT, Miss. – Approximately 500 service members from the Active, Guard and Reserve components of the U.S. military participated in exercise Sentry South-Southern Strike 2025 at the Gulfport Combat Readiness Training...

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Jack A. James Jr., right, the commander of the New York National Guard’s 42nd Infantry Division, speaks with Swedish Army soldiers during the division’s Warfighter 25-3 exercise at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa., Jan. 31, 2025. The Swedish soldiers’ participation with the New York Army National Guardsmen during Warfighter Exercise 25-3 marks their second visit with the 42nd Infantry Division and their first experience working with the United States in a division-level warfighter exercise.
Swedish Soldiers Train with 42nd Infantry Division Partners
By Sgt. Grace Nechanicky, | Feb. 7, 2025
FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. – Four Swedish army service members spent time with the 42nd Infantry Division learning about large-scale combat operations during a warfighting exercise from Jan. 24 to Feb. 8.The Swedish soldiers’...

Sgt. 1st Class Kenneth Day retrieves simulated blood supplies delivered by a blueflite drone while Sgt. Benjamin Keikkala provides security during a field training exercise at Camp Rilea, Oregon, Jan. 30, 2025. The innovative drone delivery system demonstrated rapid resupply capabilities for combat medics in tactical environments.
Oregon Guard Combat Medics Test Drone Delivery of Supplies
By Maj. Wayne Clyne, | Feb. 6, 2025
WARRENTON, Ore. - Combat medics with the Oregon National Guard are adapting their battlefield medicine skills for large-scale combat operations through innovative training, including drone-delivered medical supplies at Camp...