HARRISBURG, Pa. — Governor Tom Wolf Monday evening announced that 21 Pennsylvania National Guard (PNG) troops have been put on State Active Duty in northwestern Pennsylvania after a record amount of snow fell across the area over the last several days.

“Our National Guard members are trained to assist the citizens of our commonwealth during severe winter storms like Erie is experiencing right now,” said Governor Wolf. “We are very fortunate that they live and work in our communities and are able to mobilize on short notice in order to provide the manpower and equipment needed in northwestern PA.”

The PNG is providing a number of high clearance all-terrain military vehicles to aid local agencies with medical emergency and law enforcement response, assisting with safety and wellness checks, transporting essential emergency services personnel, and assigning a liaison to the Erie County Emergency Operations Center.

Pennsylvania has the third largest National Guard in the country with approximately 20,000 members located in more than 80 armories and readiness centers statewide.