NORFOLK -- "We've kind of learned that we don't wait for someone to tell us to get ready," explains Sergeant First Class Chris Robbins.
For that reason, when the call came telling local members of the Virginia National Guard to prepare to respond to trouble Hurricane Earl may bring to Hampton Roads, they already were checking vehicles and gathering tools and supplies.
"It's really about transporting fire, EMS, or police services into areas that they can't obtain access or to remove civilians who may be stuck in high water," Robbins tells 13News. "There's not necessarily, you know, any damage imminent, but part of our job in the National Guard is to be ready."
Cadet Axia Jelderks, who has been with the Guard for 3 years, is a Political Science major at Old Dominion University. The activation means she won't make some of her first classes of the semester. She let professors know Wednesday afternoon.
"I emailed them about having to miss, because I'm on a State mission for Hurricane Earl, and, most of them, they're really good about it. I mean, you can't really argue with the State," Jelderks says, smiling.
As many as 200 soldiers and airmen are available if Hurricane Earl brings any major problems to the area.
"It's rewarding," says Jelderks. "I haven't had to, personally, help someone that I knew, but, if I did, I would love it, like, I finally have a way to give back. I enjoy that."
