04-10-2009, 11:10 AM
State conservation officers from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) provided some much needed equipment and personnel in a multi-state effort to help fight flooding along the Red River in the Fargo-Moorhead area in late March.
Working 12- to 16- hour shifts, conservation officers evacuated 140 people and their pets, made 126 welfare checks at residences, and performed a variety of other activities in tough weather conditions.
"Having lived and worked in the Fargo-Moorhead area, I still have many friends and colleagues there, and heard first-hand about the professionalism and dedication of our conservation officers who were serving there," said Col. Jim Konrad, DNR Enforcement chief.
At one point, 46 Minnesota conservation officers, four lieutenants and one captain were working in the Fargo-Moorhead area. Many other conservation officers worked in support of the officers in the area by readying equipment, and covering field stations for officers who were assigned to flood duties.
"We were glad our conservation officers were able to assist in the effort by using their unique skills," Konrad said.
Before the flood began, Konrad visited the Emergency Operations Center in Moorhead, promising that the Enforcement Division would be there to help. Conservation officers made good on that promise utilizing airboats or boats with jet-drive systems (RiverPros), both of which were heavily utilized on the Red River Valley.
Working 12- to 16- hour shifts, conservation officers evacuated 140 people and their pets, made 126 welfare checks at residences, and performed a variety of other activities in tough weather conditions.
"Having lived and worked in the Fargo-Moorhead area, I still have many friends and colleagues there, and heard first-hand about the professionalism and dedication of our conservation officers who were serving there," said Col. Jim Konrad, DNR Enforcement chief.
At one point, 46 Minnesota conservation officers, four lieutenants and one captain were working in the Fargo-Moorhead area. Many other conservation officers worked in support of the officers in the area by readying equipment, and covering field stations for officers who were assigned to flood duties.
"We were glad our conservation officers were able to assist in the effort by using their unique skills," Konrad said.
Before the flood began, Konrad visited the Emergency Operations Center in Moorhead, promising that the Enforcement Division would be there to help. Conservation officers made good on that promise utilizing airboats or boats with jet-drive systems (RiverPros), both of which were heavily utilized on the Red River Valley.