For Immediate Release

Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2017

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-9003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Maynard Firefighter Travels to Puerto Rico with FEMA Task Force Following Hurricane Irma

MAYNARD — Chief Anthony Stowers is pleased to announce that Maynard Fire Capt. Walter Latta Jr. traveled to Puerto Rico last week with the Massachusetts Federal Emergency Management Agency Task Force to assist with hurricane relief efforts.

Capt. Latta Jr. was deployed last Friday as part of FEMA’s National Urban Search and Rescue Response System following Hurricane Irma. The US&R Response System is made up of 28 task forces, which can be deployed by FEMA to assist state and local governments in rescuing survivors of structural collapse incidents or to assist in other search and rescue missions.

Capt. Latta Jr. is working with an Incident Support Team as a logistics manager, assisting with ground support and moving equipment. It is unknown how long the team will be deployed.

“We are all so proud of Capt. Latta for making the journey to Puerto Rico to help those who were impacted by Hurricane Irma,” Chief Stowers said. “This is just another example of his dedication to serving others, and we know his expertise will be invaluable to the recovery efforts.”

A Maynard native, Capt. Latta Jr. serves as the shift commander for Group 2 and is also the department’s training officer. He has been a member of the Maynard Fire Department since 2003.

###