Another Vicksburg-based Army National Guard engineer group is preparing to leave this week as the United States prepares for war with Iraq.

All 85 members of the 168th Engineer Group were at the National Guard Armory today preparing to leave for Fort Stewart, Ga., state National Guard public affairs officer Maj. Danny Blanton said. U.S. troops are assembling as diplomatic relations with the dictatorship remain tense.

“Their mission is to mobilize and deploy to a specific area to provide command and control of engineer units and assets and to plan and conduct engineering activities,” Blanton said.

The 85-soldier total includes engineers and support staff, Blanton said.

At least 10 percent of the unit’s members have been working full-time at the armory for several days to get ready for the deployment, Blanton said.

With the call-up of local military personnel, some law enforcement and emergency agencies are scrambling to find people to fill their slots.

Vicksburg Fire Chief Keith Rogers got permission Monday from the city board to add three additional positions to the department after four firefighters were called to active duty. He said two others might also be called and it is leaving the department shorthanded.

“The nation has been put on high notice for terrorist attacks and the ideal situation is for fire departments and police to be fully staffed,” Rogers said.

The department has 135 firefighters and EMTs that staff seven departments across the city in three 24-hour shifts. The department also provides ambulance and rescue service countywide.

Currently, the department is paying overtime for volunteers to doubleshift, Rogers said.

Warren County Sheriff Martin Pace said that his department, which has 22 uniformed patrol officers who cover the county, has lost four to active duty including Under Sheriff Jeff Riggs.

“If I lose any more than I’ve already lost, then we may have to bring on temporary staff,” Pace said.

He said that could include calling retired officers back to work.

At the same time, the Vicksburg Police Department is already looking to hire more staff. Currently, four out of 70 officers with the department have been called up, but Deputy Chief Richard O’Bannon said that 10 more could go.

Overall, department officials say they are already shorthanded. The department has slots for a total of 86 officers. This past weekend, they gave physical agility tests to potential recruits looking to fill those slots.

“We need to feel that our fire, police and emergency services are intact and that the public is safe,” said South Ward Alderman Sid Beauman.

“We have to supplement our departments, but when these officers come back, they will have a job,” said North Ward Alderman Gertrude Young.

Under the partial mobilization order issued by President Bush, reservists can be called to active duty for up to two years. Members of the 114th Military Police Company returned last month after taking part in the Joint Task Force in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for a year.

Most recently, about 30 soldiers with the 412th Engineer Command in Vicksburg were sent to Fort Polk, La., and could be sent to other locations around the world later.

“This whole call-up is tough on law enforcement nationwide, but I’m extremely proud of my staff and what they’re doing for our county,” Pace said.