Connecticut deploys emergency workers to assist in Hurricane Helene relief

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The Connecticut National Guard sent 16 soldiers and two helicopters to North Carolina to assist with Hurricane Helene disaster response Friday morning. Officials say this deployment will last one week. This is in addition to last week's deployment to North Carolina of two other teams from Connecticut. Those teams included a five-soldier flight crew and one CH-47 Chinook helicopter from the Connecticut Army National Guard's 1-169th Aviation Regiment, and an eight-member urban search and rescue team coordinated by the Connecticut Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. "Connecticut is prepared to lead by example and deliver assistance to our neighbors during times of emergency," said Gov. Ned Lamont. A team from Fairfield County was also deployed Friday morning from Westport Fire Station. The team includes members of Stratford fire, Wilton dispatch, Fairfield County regional dispatch, Westport police and fire, and Norwalk fire. They are all part of a regional team that will provide critical communication and data restoration support. Officials say the team is expected to return Oct. 14. "