Missouri EMA team is headed to New York - KFVS12 News & Weather Cape Girardeau, Carbondale, Poplar Bluff

Missouri's governor is sending team from the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to New York to help in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy.

According to Governor Jay Nixon, the state of New York emergency management office specifically requested assistance from SEMA.

Part of the team left from St. Louis on Sunday and other members will leave on Monday.

"After the Joplin tornado, our folks helped coordinate the efforts of hundreds of thousands of volunteers who came from all over the United States and from several countries to help," Gov. Nixon said. "That was in addition to the floods, the blizzard, the ice storms and the other tornadoes of the last few years where SEMA has maximized the work of thousands of volunteers. As the Northeast moves forward in its recovery and rebuilding, Missouri is pitching in, in many ways, just as other states have helped us in the past. We are proud to be able to do the same for them."

According to the governor's office, SEMA statewide volunteer coordinator Dante Gliniecki is heading up the team going to New York. Gliniecki has worked extensively with faith-based and other volunteer organizations in Missouri.

Nixon's office added that SEMA has nationally recognized experience and expertise in disaster management, through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), a cornerstone of the nation's disaster mutual aid system.

Gov. Nixon is also asking Missourians wanting to help with relief efforts to donate to the American Red Cross or other well-established disaster relief organizations.

Copyright 2012 KFVS. All rights reserved.