At the request of the Government of Haiti, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) sent an urban search and rescue team on Sunday to join its disaster response team (DART), mobilized yesterday to lead the efforts of the United States Government in response to the earthquake that struck Haiti

The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department's Urban Search and Rescue team consists of 65 first responders and 4 dogs, who will join the search operations. The team is now deploying with 23.5 tons of specialized tools and equipment, including hydraulic equipment to fracture concrete, saws, torches and perforators, as well as state-of-the-art medical equipment to help them in their search and rescue operations. Five additional members of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department will provide technical support to the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination Team (UNDAC), to assist with emergency management and coordination efforts .

DART continues to conduct damage assessments, coordinating with the Haitian government, humanitarian partners and other United States agencies for response efforts.

Also on the same day a DC-8 cargo plane from Samaritan's Purse carried 13 disaster response specialists and 31 tonnes of emergency relief supplies, including shelter equipment and two community water filtration units, to Haiti. Each unit is able to provide drinking water to 3,500 people every day. A medical team will also be deployed to provide basic medical care and begin health assessments. The N.C. based organization stands ready to scale up response quickly as needed.

HL/ HaitiLibre