Walz deploys Minnesota firefighters to Louisiana following Hurricane Ida

Gov. Tim Walz announced on Wednesday that 22 Minnesota firefighters from nine fire departments are traveling to Louisiana to assist local first responders as local communities continue to recover from Hurricane Ida.

Walz authorized the 18-day mission following a request from Louisiana officials through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, or EMAC.

"When disaster hits, Minnesotans have always stepped up to help out their neighbors," said Walz. "Hurricane Ida has devastated homes, businesses, and communities in Louisiana. I am proud that Minnesota firefighters have answered the call to aid Louisiana in their efforts to keep people safe after the storm."

Firefighters from the Red Wing, Chaska, Brainerd, Crosslake, Eden Prairie and Plymouth fire departments and the West Metro, Centennial and Spring Lake Park Blaine Mounds View fire districts will provide fire protection for 18 days while local firefighters get rest and tend to their own damaged homes.

This marks the second time Minnesota has responded to an EMAC request. EMAC is a mutual aid agreement between all 50 states. It works by a state requesting resources based on their needs and while any state can respond, there is no obligation to participate. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Homeland Security and Emergency Management division coordinates the state’s EMAC requests.

Walz submitted an EMAC request earlier this year to have out-of-state law enforcement keep up staffing at facilities around the state. Minnesota State Patrol troopers and Department of Natural Resources conservation officers were diverted to the Twin Cities in April to beef up patrols during the course of the Derek Chauvin trial.

To read more about the EMAC, click here.