CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Two members of the West Virginia Army National Guard are in the state of Hawaii to help the Hawaii Joint Operations Center’s response to the volcanic activity of Kilauea.
Maj. William Estep and Cpt. Christopher Parker are part of the Joint Interagency Training and Education Center, which provides education and assistance during a time of crisis. The men arrived on the island of Oahu on Friday to help with communication efforts regarding the response to the volcanic explosion, which is happening on the Hawai’i Island.
“We’re here to relieve that strain by providing additional resources to help their staff,” Estep said.
Kilauea had eruption episodes earlier this month before an explosive event on May 17 in Oahu .
Estep said he and Parker will be providing resources to the National Guard and civilian responders that cannot otherwise be provided, such as airlift support or beds.
“As the lava flow increases and more homes are destroyed and evacuated, there is going to be a need logistically to help all those people who have been evacuated from their living areas,” he said.
Estep and Parker will be in Hawaii for a maximum of 30 days.