BISMARCK, N.D. - As the heat continues to swelter in North Dakota, North Dakota National Guard troops continue in their steady vigilance to guard levees and man quick reaction forces in the event of an emergency.
As the heat and humidity rise to record levels on day 58 of the central North Dakota flood fight, Guard members from North Dakota and Minnesota continue to keep a watchful eye for any dangerous situations in the levees as well as on each other to ensure they don't succumb to heat injuries.
Army Sgt. Ronnie Garza, the NCOIC of Task Force Mandan levee patrol, said, "We've got water, ice, and sunscreen. We make sure everybody's consuming water and getting breaks.
"If a humvee's going any distance, we make sure they have [air conditioning] and sufficient personnel – at least three. If one has issues, one can attend and one can call [for help]."
"Up to now, we've had no heat casualties," he said. "We're trying to keep tight and safe."
Army Maj. Malia Pearson, the executive officer of Task Force Flood operating in Bismarck and Mandan, said Soldiers and Airmen are issued humvees with air conditioning, coolers with ice and water, and Gatorade for electrolytes.
"Levee walkers with long sectors use ATVs instead of walking," Pearson said, "and dike walkers either get breaks in the shade or go back to air-conditioned buildings. The [Army Combat Uniforms] that we wear are designed for heat."
Currently, more than 300 National Guard members are on flood duty in North Dakota. About 170 Guard members are in the Minot and Burlington area, including about 100 from the Minnesota National Guard. About 160 North Dakota National Guard members are on flood duty in the Bismarck and Mandan area.
Members of the North Dakota National Guard have served 56,593 workdays on State Active Duty fighting floods in 2011: 10,265 in eastern N.D. from March 21 to May 20, and 46,328 in central N.D. from May 23 to July 18.
Kansas Guard members answer the call-to-action for flood assistance
By Army Sgt. Jessica Barnett
Kansas National Guard
ELWOOD, Kan. (7/21/11) – Soldiers from the Kansas National Guard's 2nd Battalion, 130th Field Artillery deployed to Doniphan County, June 28, 2011, to provide security patrols here, a tasking which came through the Kansas Division of Emergency Management at the request of the mayor and county emergency management officials.
"We enacted our voluntary evacuation and we have several houses that are empty," said George Mitchell Jr., mayor of Elwood, Kan. "Our four man [police] force would be worn out by the time things could settle down. The Soldiers were offered to us, so I went ahead and requested them to help patrol and protect properties that are vacant at this time."
Elwood and Wathena, Kan., officials issued a voluntary evacuation for their cities, as the Missouri River hit 29 feet, June 27. As of the end of June, an estimated 400 residents have left Elwood as a precaution.
"We are roving around making sure there is no looting going on," said Army Sgt. Derick Maschmeier, a fire direction control specialist for multiple launch systems with Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 130th Field Artillery. "We are driving around making sure everyone is safe. If the time comes to have to evacuate everybody, we'll just take action and help everybody evacuate the town."
As residents leave, they notify the city to let the Soldiers know what homes and businesses need to be patrolled.
"The response we are getting [from the community] is tremendous," Mitchell said. "I believe our people are at ease … but with the Guard being here I believe they are at ease knowing that their property is protected and that the levee is being protected as well."
These Soldiers are in addition to 10 that have been on duty in Doniphan County since early June monitoring levees for possible problems such as sand boils, soft spots and animals burrowing holes.
"It's good to just be here for the community," said Army Capt. Jonathan Hines, battalion intelligence officer for the 2nd Battalion130th FA. "They love having us here. They love seeing us around."
"They asked specifically for us to come out here and drive around to provide the security presence," he said. "So the fact that we answered their call looks good on the National Guard and I think it's gratifying for us to be here where we are needed and do what they need."