State News

Vermont National Guard to help Massachusetts dig out

By VTDigger staff

Vermont is sending 12 dump trucks and 40 National Guardsmen to help Massachusetts dig out from record-setting snowfalls. Vermont governor Peter Shumlin on Wednesday authorized 40 Vermont National Guard troops to spend up to 15 days helping remove snow in the Bay State.

More than six feet of snow have fallen in the Boston area in the past 30 days and Massachusetts governor Charlie Baker has asked neighboring states to assist in the cleanup.

“Vermont will always do what we can to help our neighbors when they need it,” Shumlin said in a statement. “In the span of two weeks, Massachusetts has faced multiple snow events that have caused significant transportation issues for residents and public safety services. The Vermont National Guard is well equipped to help in this situation, and I want to thank the men and women with the Guard who will travel to Massachusetts in the coming days to assist our neighbors.”

Massachusetts made the request through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, a state-to-state mutual aid agreement, according to a news release. Massachusetts will pay the cost of the Vermont Guard’s mission, the release said.

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