For decades, many states, especially in the South, have not had the equipment, personnel, or vehicles necessary to effectively respond to major snowfalls. These states often rely on Department of Transportation trucks and private contractors, which do not match the scale of vehicles, manpower, and resources available in states like New York and Massachusetts when responding to blizzards and severe snowstorms which cause widespread power outages and downed trees that disrupt critical infrastructure.
For many of these states, it can take days, or even weeks, depending on the severity of the storm, for normal day-to-day operations to resume. This delay places a significant strain on the state’s economy as well as public safety. In addition, states rely heavily on utility companies to repair downed power lines and restore distribution systems. During blizzard conditions and freezing temperatures, these delays can put lives at risk, particularly for those without heat or access to transportation to shelters.
In this week’s poll, we ask you, the community:
Should State Defense Forces / State Guards begin training and certifying their troops to assist utility personnel in repairing downed electrical lines? Should they also be equipped with vehicles, such as decommissioned United States Army National Guard assets like the 2½-ton 6×6 truck and Humvee, especially as The Army National Guard transitions to newer platforms like the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) and Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT)?
This could allow State Guards to mount plows to these vehicles, clear vital roadways, rescue individuals in distress who require medical treatment or transportation to shelters and become a vital part of the States response to major weather events.
- Yes – Fully train, equip, and deploy State Defense Forces for snow response and utility support operations
- No – These responsibilities should remain with DOT, utility companies, and existing agencies
