Rhode Island requested assistance through national Emergency Management Assistance Compact, coordinated by Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency.
With PennDOT crews’ storm cleanup complete and a warmer forecast, the department is sending over 30 pieces of equipment and staff to assist with storm cleanup.
Harrisburg, PA – Following a request for assistance, the Shapiro Administration is sending snow-removal help to Rhode Island, to help them recover from the winter storm this past weekend.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is responding quickly with over 30 pieces of equipment and associated operators, mechanics, foremen, and managers from its Harrisburg, Clearfield, Indiana, and Uniontown-based regions. The PennDOT team members — including PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll — will assist with clearing and removing snow from various local government roadways in Rhode Island.
With PennDOT work on state roads after the storm complete, and a warmer forecast on the way, Pennsylvania is in a good position to help its neighbors in the Northeast with their snowstorm recovery.
“We’ve had historic winter storms in the Northeast this year, and Pennsylvania is proud to lend a helping hand to our friends in Rhode Island as they continue their recovery from the most recent snowfall,” said Governor Shapiro. “Our teams at PEMA and PennDOT just completed their work in Pennsylvania, clearing thousands of miles of roadways and keeping people safe during severe weather — and now they are working overtime to help our neighbors. I thank these dedicated public servants for going above and beyond to deliver for our Commonwealth and help their fellow Americans."
“Governors understand how complicated an emergency response can be—and they are often the first to step up and help other states in need,” said Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee. “I am truly grateful to Governor Shapiro of Pennsylvania, as well as PennDOT Secretary Michael Carroll, for providing critical equipment and personnel to help us with clean-up efforts after the historic Blizzard of ’26.”
Deployed staff are expected to begin working with their counterparts in Rhode Island today, February 26, and their deployment is anticipated to last approximately eight days. All costs associated with the deployment are paid by the requesting state.
“The historic snowfall that hit much of New England is overwhelming hard-working road crews that have been working long and dangerous shifts,” said Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) Director Randy Padfield. “Getting snow cleared quickly is essential for people in that region to safely get back to their daily routines.”
“With the latest storm dealt with and favorable weather this week, PennDOT is happy to help our colleagues as cleanup continues from the significant snowfall they experienced,” PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll said. “Interstate emergency collaboration is important, and I’m grateful to our team for their commitment and even more time away from families while they share their skills.”
PEMA Director Padfield is in touch with Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency Director Marc Pappas. PEMA will remain in close contact with its counterparts in Rhode Island in the event additional assistance is needed.
The request for assistance was made via the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), a formal agreement that allows states to share resources, such as personnel or equipment, during disasters. EMAC was created to serve as an all-hazards national mutual aid system and has been ratified by the U.S. Congress with participation from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
PEMA: Ruth Miller ruthmiller@pa.gov
DOT: Alexis Campbell, alecampbel@pa.gov, or Erin Waters-Trasatt, ewaterstra@pa.gov, 717-783-8800
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