New York’s Governor sends additional aid to Puerto Rico

Earlier today, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that additional personnel and the first shipment of supplies donated though the Empire State Relief and Recovery Effort are now en route to Puerto Rico. Sixty soldiers and four UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters from the 3rd Battalion 142nd Aviation Regiment of the New York National Guard have begun their deployment from Army Aviation Support Facility #1 in Ronkonkoma to bolster aerial movement of relief supplies and personnel on the island.

One hundred members of the State Police have also been mobilized to assist with security operations and the first 50 will travel to Puerto Rico Friday morning on a flight donated by Delta Airlines.  

Governor Cuomo has also approved the deployment of up to 120 members of the New York National Guard’s 442nd Military Police Company and 107th Military Police Company. The soldiers are mobilizing to prepare for deployment from Camp Smith in Westchester County and will travel with 16 Humvees to provide security assistance to law enforcement in Puerto Rico.

Up to 125 additional soldiers and equipment from the 827th Engineering Company have also been mobilized to prepare for deployment in the coming days to conduct debris clearance missions on the ground. 

To further support operations on the ground, a crew of up to 30 personnel from the State Department of Transportation that includes CDL drivers, is also being mobilized to perform highway restoration work and operate a variety of equipment to assist with the operation.

Priorities will be established on site, but may include roadway clearance, debris removal, highway repairs, other heavy construction work and the transportation of supplies. George Miranda, president, Teamsters Joint Council 16 and president of Teamsters National Hispanic Caucus, has also put out a call for 50 volunteer truck drivers to join the DOT workers and Empire State Relief and Recovery Effort.

Additionally, an initial shipment of New York State supplies and donated supplies, which includes food, water, personal hygiene items, first aid supplies and various other items, is en route to Puerto Rico on vehicles from the State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision and SUNY Maritime, as well as a flight donated by Jet Blue.

To expedite the delivery and distribution of these items, Governor Cuomo is also submitting a formal request to waive the Jones Act, which would ensure greater shipment access to Puerto Rico. 

You can view the governor’s remarks online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEsBdU7xzrI&feature=youtu.be.