COLUMBIA, Md. — Howard County Executive Calvin Ball announced on Tuesday that the county has sent first responders to assist in the preparation and recovery from Hurricane Dorian as it threatens the southern East Coast.
Two Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services personnel, Firefighter Dain Yakich and Firefighter Barry Griffin, and Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits (DILP) Director Bob Frances, have been deployed to Florida.
“Hurricane Dorian has already caused significant devastation, with the potential for further impact to millions on the East Coast. To help our neighbors during their time of need, three brave Howard County personnel will assist in Florida’s emergency response,” said Ball. “Howard County will always step up in a crisis, and I commend Firefighter Dain Yakich, Firefighter Barry Griffin, and DILP Director Bob Frances for their dedication and service. In addition to their efforts, we will continue to monitor the storm’s trajectory for any impact to the Mid-Atlantic region. Let us keep all affected communities in our thoughts as we pray for the safety of everyone in the path of this storm and take action to come to their aid.”
In addition to Howard County, Red Cross Disaster Action Team members Candy Montenegro and James Gourley departed the Greater Chesapeake Region offices on Tuesday.
The pair will travel nearly 430 miles to Columbia. S.C. to assist in Hurricane Dorian storm preparedness. They are among approximately 20 area Red Crossers who are staging across the Southeast ahead of the storm.
