January 13, 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 the country are en route to the disaster zone to perform rescue operations, provide medical care and other needed emergency services.

“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.”

An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.0 struck southern Haiti (about 10 miles west of Port-au-Prince) at 4:53 p.m. local time, on Tuesday, January 12. The initial quake was quickly followed by two strong aftershocks measuring 5.9 and 5.6 in magnitude.

It has been difficult for officials to fully assess the damage because the quake knocked out much of the area’s electricity and phone service. However, the Red Cross estimates that as many as three million people have been affected by the quake, while the death toll could be in the hundreds of thousands.

The level of destruction is compounded by the fact that Haiti has experienced years of political instability and no real construction standards have been formulated. When a school collapsed in November 2008, the Port-au-Prince mayor estimated that approximately 60 percent of the city’s buildings were poorly constructed and not safe under normal circumstances.

USAR teams – some of which dispatched less than three hours after the earthquake occurred – will be using high-tech equipment, including listening devises and dogs, to find survivors. The teams are accompanied by United States Agency for International Development (USAID) disaster experts who will assist with situation assessments.

Source: IAFF

OFFERS OF ASSISTANCE FOR RELIEF EFFORTS

Anyone wishing to donate or provide assistance in Haiti following the devastating earthquake is asked to contact the Center for International Disaster Information (CIDI) which has established a dedicated page to coordinate Haiti support. More information»

Other ways to help:

• text "HAITI" to "90999" and a donation of $10 will be given automatically to the Red Cross to help with relief efforts, charged to your cell phone bill;
• go online to organizations like the Red Cross and Mercy Corps to make a contribution to the disaster relief efforts;
• visit InterAction to contribute.