Maine Forest Rangers Return Home After Helping Hurricane Sandy Victims

After 14 days in New York City, helping the victims of Hurricane Sandy, the Maine Forest Ranger Incident Management Team returns home.

The nine-member team was mobilized two days after the devastating storm hit the East Coast. Our men and women in uniform were assisting victims in Brooklyn, N.Y. The Maine team managed three separate medical-assistance teams comprised of security personnel from the National Guard, paramedics and New York City health officials that conducted more than 21,000 door-to-door health and wellness checks in nearly 200 high-rise buildings affected by the storm.

‘"Maine was very fortunate to be spared from Sandy, and it is our honor and duty to help our neighbors to the south as they recover and rebuild," said Governor Paul R. LePage. "I want to thank this team of forest rangers and the many other Mainers who have also stepped up to serve for their efforts and for representing the great and generous spirit of our State.’

After Sandy hit the coast, hundreds of people were left without power, food, and electricity. The Maine team members were going door-to-door checking on the well-being of residents, filling medical prescriptions for people who were unable to get around and facilitating meetings with state and federal officials.

Emily Ashton, a New York City Health Department senior advisor, thanked the Maine Incident Management Team for their efforts:

‘Before the Maine forest rangers and the National Guard arrived, we were unorganized and were limited to groups of volunteers for the wellness checks," Ashton commented. "The forest rangers provided clear, crisp direction and helped us get the job done way ahead of schedule.’