GREENSBORO, N.C. — Cities and counties all over the U.S. are sending resources and equipment to Western North Carolina to help in the Helene recovery efforts. The question a lot of folks have is, "Who is paying for our local workers to help our neighbors?'
All you have to do is look on any social media and you'll see your local entities helping. For example, Greensboro Police and the City are sending workers to various parts of WNC. When it comes to Guilford County, here is part of the list:
More than 12 City and County fire departments have deployed personnel and equipment
Guilford County DSS and Public Health sent 13 employees to assist with Mass Care
Guilford County Animal Services is helped at WNC shelter locations
The Sheriff's Office sent 10 deputies to supplement safety
Guilford County Emergency Management sent 3 employees to work with incident management teams
"We do take on the cost to begin with understanding that we have that ability to request reimbursement in the future. And typically speaking, you go into helping our neighbors or sending folks knowing that there is the possibility you may not get reimbursed for the full amount that you spent, right," said Steve Grose, Guilford County Emergency Management Director.
Does that mean local taxpayers are on the hook for like 20% of the cost? More? Grose said he couldn't give an estimate, and really, no one knows until the city or counties submit for payment. And that's a process in itself.
"We tell people that are planning to support missions to look at over a year for getting your money back," said Grose.
A key note in this, no entity just sends folks. The impacted emergency management offices tell the state what they need and then each city or county decides if they can meet the request for help.