Beginning on March 22, 2009, staff from the Midwest Region of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service joined staff from Region 6, along with people from other federal, state and local agencies to help the people of the Red River Valley respond to severe flooding.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provided people and equipment to help local government agencies protect people and property.

Specifically, the USFWS provided airboats, airboat operators, water pumps and mechanics to help keep all the equipment operational under difficult conditions.

The staff faced:

• freezing temperatures,

• fast moving water,

• frozen water, and

• submerged obstacles.

In all, some 20 Midwest Region staff responded to the emergency and helped saves lives and property.

"The Midwest Region has a proud tradition of neighbors helping neighbors," said Midwest Regional Director Tom Melius. "I'm very proud of the staff who responded to this disaster, and the staff, and families, back at their home stations and the Regional Office that helped make their response possible."

Midwest Regional Director Tom Melius presents awards to some of the Region's flood responders at a ceremony held in La Crosse, Wis., on May 27. Pictured: Bill Thrune, Wendy Woyczik, RD Tom Melius, Brian Pember, Calvin Gehri and Dave Wedan.

Midwest Regional Director Tom Melius presents awards to some of the Region's flood responders at a ceremony held in Detroit Lakes, Minn., on June 18. Pictured first row (left to right): Rich Papasso, Dave Bennett, Kim Bousquet and Jeff Lucas. Back row: John Braastad, Tom Siekaniec, Greg Knutsen, Sally Zodrow, Michelle McDowell, RD Tom Melius, Angie Larson, Duane King, Ron Beam and Dan Dearborn.