Shortly before the Governor declared a state of emergency for the President's Day Blizzard, soldiers of the 42d Division Support Command of the New Jersey Army National Guard started reporting to armories to prepare trucks and equipment for missions around the state. By 2 p.m. on Sunday, February 16, the DISCOM Emergency Operation Center in Somerset was open and calling soldiers to duty in Dover, Sea Girt, Westfield, and Teaneck.

As the emergency progressed and the snow continued to fall, the 50th Main Support Battalion in Teaneck provided transportation for more than 90 medical professionals to our Paramus Veterans Memorial Home, the 250th Forward Support Battalion in Sea Girt had driven patients from Monmouth County to receive dialysis treatment, and the Newton Police were patrolling their community in a Humvee from the 50th MSB in Dover. More than 50 DISCOM soldiers responded to the call for volunteers. Some soldiers remained on duty through Tuesday, supporting state missions directed by the State Joint Operations Center in Lawrenceville.

All personnel returned to their families safely. The extreme snow fall however, took its toll on equipment around the DISCOM. Snow plow trucks in Dover, West Orange, and Somerset were overwhelmed by the 24 plus inches of snow and suffered mechanical breakdowns. Repairs were quickly made and two of the three returned to service before the end of the emergency.

Kathleen Schiessl, DISCOM Family Support Coordinator and wife of Sgt. Chris Schiessl, DISCOM Supply Sergeant, sent "care packages" containing toiletries and snacks to the soldiers called in for the snow emergency.

So, when it snows, the DISCOM works!