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National Guard deployed to Spokane to assist evacuations and protect neighborhoods
Summary
Major General Ghent Welsh said more than 100 National Guard members were serving in Spokane to support law enforcement, traffic control and property protection; Guard personnel are volunteers and are deployed to help with safety and logistics, he said.
Major General Ghent Welsh, the state's adjutant general, described the Washington National Guard's immediate role in Spokane and statewide posture, saying the Guard had "over 100 National Guard members serving on Spokane streets right now" and that more than 8,000 Guardsmen are ready across the state.
Welsh emphasized the Guard's mission to assist first responders and law enforcement with traffic control points, security of evacuated neighborhoods and logistical support. "Don't make up any other reasons for why the National Guard is on your streets. They are here to help you, and they're here to help law enforcement," he said. Officials said Guard personnel are volunteers called up to support local responders and warned residents to respect traffic control points and follow instructions for safety.
County and city law-enforcement leaders said the Guard's presence supplements policing resources to protect property and ease evacuation and re-entry operations; officials said joint patrols and checkpoints will remain in place while the incident remains active.
