NEWS: Governor orders Wisconsin Guard to state active duty for winter storm

As Wisconsinites are urged to buckle up, hunker down and stay off the roads, approximately 75 Wisconsin National Guard Soldiers are deploying to armories across the state to assist local and state authorities with weather emergencies.

The deployment is in response to Governor Scott Walker's declared state of emergency which directs all state agencies to assist with response or recovery efforts and authorizes Brig. Gen. Don Dunbar, the adjutant general of Wisconsin, to mobilize Wisconsin Guard Soldiers and Airmen.

"The National Guard’s dual mission makes us uniquely suited for emergency response," Dunbar said.  "We are trained and equipped to answer the call and meet the needs of Wisconsin citizens.  Support to civilian authorities is a core mission of our Soldiers and Airmen. When the state needs us, we're there."

The Soldiers, with tactical vehicles, will report to armoires in Plymouth, Milwaukee, Oak Creek, Kenosha, Sussex, Elkhorn, Watertown, Janesville and Platteville tonight (Feb. 1). They will remain on site through the state of emergency or until released.  The nine manned armories will be available for use as back-up emergency shelters and the Soldiers will be standing by to support local authorities with emergency operations such as door-to-door safety visits, generator assistance or stranded-motorist support. 

The Wisconsin National Guard's Joint Operation Center is also fully operational, and working alongside Wisconsin Emergency Management and other state agencies to answer additional calls for assistance.