California Task Force 2 website
Click here for slideshow of Fairfax County’s team preparing for departure
Not unexpected this evening, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced it is sending a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) to Haiti. This will include firefighters from Fairfax County and Los Angeles County. The two urban search and rescue (USAR) teams have been activated and are gathering personnel and equipment.
According to USAID, the USAR teams have as many as 72 personnel, 6 search and rescue canines and up to 48 tons of rescue equipment.
Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department spokesman Dan Schmidt tells STATter911.com that as of 10:30 PM EST flight arrangements have not been finalized. Approximately ninety-percent of the 72-member team is made up of county firefighters. Civilian doctors, structural engineers and canine handlers are also part of the team.
The firefighters are at the department’s training academy loading the team’s 90,000 pounds of equipment.
The department, as it has in the past, will set up its family support group to keep relatives notified of the team’s location and progress through conference calls and other means.
Members of the Fairfax team have responded to disasters all over the world including two previous trips to Haiti for a school collapse and a hurricane.
Also on STATter911 …
- Fairfax County USAR mobilized. Virginia Task Force 1 readying to help out in Northern Japan. – March 11, 2011
- Report from Japan: Virginia & California teams on the ground. – March 14, 2011
- Japan update: Fairfax County battalion chief describes operations. Photos of VATF-1 in action. Local rescuers find 70-year-old woman trapped for four days. – March 15, 2011
- Raw video: U.S. search & rescue teams in action in Japan. – March 16, 2011
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Thoughts are with the teams and all emergency responders working down there. Stay safe and best of luck!
God Bless these crews as they head to Haiti. Head up, eyes open and return home safe.
Godspeed & stay safe. Make us all proud. You guys are going because you are the best of the best!
Gentlemen and Ladies,
Thank you. I love that this nation sends its best to any and all parts of the world in a time of crisis. Thank you for being such wonderful representatives of what makes this nation so great, and why my family and I are so grateful to live here.
G-d’s speed to all of you,
- A very proud Texan
Good luck crews, do what you do best. Our prayers are with you.