Cocke County EMA requests local, active servicemembers to ask for ‘PTAD Orders’ to help hurricane relief efforts [Video]

COCKE COUNTY, Tenn. — Emergency management leaders in Cocke County requested active servicemembers from the county to ask their commanders for special orders allowing them to return home and help with hurricane relief efforts.

The Cocke County Emergency Management Agency posted on social media requesting they ask for Permissive Temporary Additional Duty Orders. After requesting PTAD Orders and having them approved, the agency said servicemembers would report to Director Joseph M. Esway.

Personnel trained as water survival instructors, operators or dive operators would help Cocke County and the Newport City Swift Water Rescue Teams with river reconnaissance, the emergency management agency said. It also said motor transportation operators and mechanics would help with vehicle operation and repairs from storm damage.

Servicemembers would also help with supply and logistics to help with the redistribution of donations. The …