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*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE?*?

October 13, 2022??

Contact: [email protected]????

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*Governor Whitmer Declares State of Emergency for Menominee County Due to Large-Scale Industrial Fire?*?

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*LANSING, Mich*. ? Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency for Menominee County to assist with the emergency response to a large-scale industrial fire that began at a paper plant and neighboring warehouse in Menominee on Thursday, October 6.?

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?I want to thank the first responders from Michigan and Wisconsin who joined forces battling this fire day and night to prevent it from spreading further and causing more damage,? said *Governor Whitmer*. ?Through this emergency declaration, we are dedicating every available resource to fire suppression efforts, environmental protection, and financial assistance for the local response. We will be there to assist until the emergency response is completed.??

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?Thank you to all those who have worked so hard to put out the fire and clean up the mess, including the multiple communities across the region that responded with aid,? said *Sen. Ed McBroom, R-Waucedah Township*. ?The MSP has done a great job getting this request in to the governor and I thank her for the very quick approval so the communities can move forward in finishing the work.???

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?The governor?s declaration will be immensely helpful because without this assistance the City of Menominee would not be able to sustain the financial burden from this catastrophic event,? said *Brett Botbyl, City Manager, City of Menominee*. ?It will also afford us the ability to continue to secure resources to keep personnel safe and protect our city.??

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On October 7, Menominee County declared a local state of emergency due to a large-scale fire that broke out at a paper plant and neighboring warehouse. Firefighters from both Michigan and Wisconsin responded to the ongoing incident. The Environmental Protection Agency also dispatched a team to conduct air quality monitoring and testing because an 8,000-gallon tank of peroxide was in the fire?s likely path. Residents of both the city of Menominee and the city of Marinette, Wisconsin have been advised to shelter in place due to smoke-related hazards.?

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Despite local efforts, Menominee needs additional state support to combat the fire. State resources are also needed to provide technical assistance to ensure that water run-off from fire suppression efforts do not threaten local water supplies. Further, the local jurisdictions have incurred substantial costs in connection with fire suppression and other clean-up efforts.??

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The declaration of a local state of emergency activates local emergency response and recovery plans. By requesting a governor?s declaration, the county has determined local resources are insufficient to address the situation, and state assistance is necessary to protect public health, safety, and property and to lessen or avert the threat of more severe and lasting harm.?

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By declaring a state of emergency, Governor Whitmer has made available all state resources in cooperation with local response and recovery efforts in the designated area. The declaration authorizes the Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division (MSP/EMHSD) to coordinate state efforts above and beyond what MSP/EMHSD has already been doing in conjunction with local agencies.?

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In addition to the declaration, Governor Whitmer activated the State Emergency Operations Center ensuring all state resources are available to support the local community, as necessary?

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To view a copy of EO 2022-13, click the link below:??

*EXECUTIVE ORDER 2022- 13 [ [link removed] ]*

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