COCKE COUNTY, Tenn. — Emergency management leaders in Cocke County requested active servicemembers from the county to ask their commanders for special orders allowing them to return home and help with hurricane relief efforts.
The Cocke County Emergency Management Agency posted on social media requesting they ask for Permissive Temporary Additional Duty Orders. After requesting PTAD Orders and having them approved, the agency said servicemembers would report to Director Joseph M. Esway.
Personnel trained as water survival instructors, operators or dive operators would help Cocke County and the Newport City Swift Water Rescue Teams with river reconnaissance, the emergency management agency said. It also said motor transportation operators and mechanics would help with vehicle operation and repairs from storm damage.
Servicemembers would also help with supply and logistics to help with the redistribution of donations. The agency said it needs help responding to future events as they happen and so every specialty was needed.
The agency said personnel will need to have transportation and it is requesting a 30-day period of service. However, the agency said there would be "work to be done as long as your unit can spare you."
