ALPENA — The State of Michigan successfully secured out-of-state support through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact to help accelerate recovery efforts after a historic ice storm devastated Northern Michigan last month, according to a Saturday press release from Michigan State Police. This is the first time the state has requested this type of out-of-state support.

The MSP Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division is coordinating the request made by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to bring in four fully equipped debris removal teams from the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT). Each team consists of nine personnel and will assist in clearing downed trees and other debris from critical roadways.

“This unprecedented (Emergency Management Assistance Compact) request underscores the scope of the damage and the urgency of returning impacted communities to safe, functioning conditions,” said Capt. Kevin Sweeney, deputy state director of emergency management and commander of the MSP emergency management and homeland security division, in the press release. “We are grateful to our partners in Indiana for stepping up to support Michigan in its time of need.”

The INDOT crews were scheduled to arrive on Saturday for a seven-day mission. They will be integrated into MDOT’s Incident Management Team and deployed alongside MDOT crews to help remove debris from trunk lines and county roads across the 12-county disaster area.

MDOT has deployed maintenance workers and equipment from operations facilities in Kalkaska, Atlanta, Hillman, and Mio in the northern Lower Peninsula, as well as from facilities in the Upper Peninsula and across the central and southern Lower Peninsula, both to clear state trunk lines and free up resources at county road commissions and municipal public works departments to focus on local roads. County road commissions from other areas of Michigan have also sent employees and equipment to assist.

While this marks Michigan’s first time activating the emergency compact for incoming support, the state has long supported other states through the compact. In 2024 alone, Michigan facilitated eight deployments to assist Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas in the wake of Tropical Storm Debby, Hurricanes Helene and Milton, and a historic flooding event.

The emergency compact allows states to share resources across borders during emergencies. All deployment costs are reimbursed by the requesting state. The compact includes all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

For more information on how to prepare before, during and after an emergency or disaster, visit michigan.gov/miready or follow MSP/EMHSD on X at @MichEMHS.

Reagan Voetberg can be reached at 989-358-5683 or rvoetberg@TheAlpenaNews.com.