IAFF Members on USAR Teams Deployed to Haiti

Updated January 14, 2010 -- In the aftermath of the worst earthquake to hit Haiti in more than 200 years, Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Teams comprised of IAFF members from across North America are being deployed to the disaster zone to perform rescue operations, provide medical care and other needed emergency services.

Some USAR teams were dispatched less than three hours after the earthquake occurred. The highly trained USAR teams of IAFF members, rescue dogs, doctors, nurses and many other highly trained individuals were formally deployed by the U.S. government through the United States Agency for International Development's (USAID) Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance. Federal deployment as of January 14 is as follows:

• USARVA-1 team (Fairfax County) in Haiti: base camp established, initial survey conducted, and priority targets identified.

• USARCA-2 team (Los Angeles County) to arrive at 4:30 a.m. EST, January 14, in Haiti.

• USARFL-1 and FL-2 (Miami-Dade) teams deploying from Homestead, Florida on January 14.

• USARVA-2, Ohio-1, California A-5, California-7, New York-1 and Texas-1 task forces have been activated and are awaiting transportation to Port-au-Prince, tentatively scheduled to arrive at Port-au-Prince January 14.

• A USAR Incident Support Team is preparing to deploy to support USAR operations in Haiti.

• Additional USAR teams are on standby.

Click here for updates on U.S. deployments and situational updates.

“Our members are well-trained in providing life-saving and life-preserving assistance during multi-hazard situations,” says IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger. “Our thoughts and prayers are not only with them as they face what will certainly be total devastation, but also with the people of Haiti.”