CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — A New Hampshire National Guard team is heading to New York to help communities getting hit by the incoming Nor’easter.

Gov. John Lynch on Wednesday activated a 12-man command and control team from the Manchester-based 197th Fires Brigade. They will work with the New York National Guard’s joint operations center in Latham, N.Y., to assist with health and welfare checks, evacuations, traffic control and other duties.

Lynch says the additional manpower will prevent New York from having to divert critical resources away from ongoing Hurricane Sandy relief efforts.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.