Pittsburgh District power team deploys in support of anticipated tropical storm landfall

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District
Published Aug. 27, 2019

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District’s emergency power team deployed to Florida and Puerto Rico, today, in anticipation of Tropical Storm Dorian’s landfall.

The 13-member team (three to Jacksonville, Florida and 10 to Puerto Rico) deployed early Tuesday morning in preparation of a potential Federal Emergency Management Agency-assigned $1.9-million mission to provide emergency generators to lifesaving facilities.

"I am always impressed by the selfless service of our district's emergency managers and the volunteers we have who support the temporary power needs of those impacted by storms," said COL Andrew (Coby) Short, district commander. "In the last few years alone, more than 250 employees from the Pittsburgh District team have deployed, on short notice, to assist those impacted by hurricanes in their recovery efforts.  I'm absolutely proud of our team and their dedication to their fellow Americans."

The district manages the national emergency temporary power mission, which provides generator power to critical infrastructure impacted by storm damage.

“Part of the Corps' mission is to support FEMA and the areas that are or could be affected by the storm,” said Al Coglio, emergency management chief for the district. “As Tropical Storm Dorian approaches Puerto Rico, we are ready to install emergency generators, where needed, to critical public facilities such as hospitals, water treatment plants, fire and police departments or anything that the impacted states identify as critical to the life, safety and health of their people.”

Pittsburgh District houses the National Temporary Power Emergency Operation Center headquarters. District personnel, soldiers and representatives from other agencies coordinate seven power teams from across the nation. It also oversees the management and quality assurance of the contract.

Tropical Storm Dorian comes at a time when parts of Puerto Rico is still recovering from hurricanes Florence and Maria two years ago. During the 2017-2018 hurricanes and severe storms, Pittsburgh District’s temporary power, Emergency Operation Center was active for more than 570 continuous days.  

For media inquiries, please contact the Public Affairs Office at (412)395-7500 or Email: celrp-pa@usace.army.mil.

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Contact
Carol E. Vernon
412-395-7500
412-713-4626 (cell)
CELRP-PA@usace.army.mil
1000 Liberty Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15222
or
John Kelly
412-395-7500
CELRP-PA@usace.army.mi
1000 Liberty Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Release no. 19-018