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TextEarthquake in Haiti
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UPDATE 1.26.10
While Demobilization plans are being developed, our USAR Team continues to respond to new requests for assistance and is conducting structural assessments and infrastructure stabilization activities. They have been delivering tents to several hospitals and orphanages and responding to other small humanitarian missions in and around the city.
Virginia Beach and New York USAR Teams arrived home on January 23rd, and Florida USAR Teams, Miami-Dade and South Florida should have returned home today. I have been told there is a likelihood that VA-TC-1 will be flying out of Haiti on Wednesday to the Dominican Republic, where they will spend the night. Tentatively, plans are for the Team to leave the Dominican Republic on Thursday and arrive at Dulles Airport late in the day.
I am working with officials at Dulles Airport for an opportunity for the public to welcome the team as they arrive in the U.S. You may find information about the specifics, including a map to the airfield where the plane will be landing, on this site, as soon as more information is available.
At our Board Meeting today, I will move to invite members of the VATF-1 to come before the Board at our February 9th Board Meeting to be officially thanked and recognized for their heroic efforts. The presentation will likely take place at approximately 9:30 a.m. in the Board Auditorium. Members of the public are welcome to attend and express their appreciation.
HAITI EARTHQUAKE UPDATE 1.13.10
We have all watched in concern as the grim situation unfolds in the wake of the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck Haiti this week. I am so pleased that county residents and agencies have responded with such concern and generosity.
I have been hearing from folks asking how they can help. Monetary donations are the absolute best option because of the inherent challenges in sorting, shipping, and distributing physical goods in the midst of a natural disaster in an already impoverished nation. I suggest visiting USAID to find organizations in need of help to support their relief efforts if you're interested in providing assistance. There are several ways to donate via sending a text from your cell phone: Text "HAITI" to 90999 in order to immediately donate $10 to the American Red Cross. If you wish to donate to charities, it is recommended that you seek out and contact the charity directly rather than replying to unsolicited e-mails or donating via uncertain Web sites
Fairfax County has already sent Virginia Task Force 1 (VATF-1), Fairfax County's urban search and rescue team to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and a second Task Force is on the way this evening, January 14. VATF-1 is one of the urban search and rescue teams in the country certified to deploy internationally on behalf of the federal government, specifically, the United States Agency for International Development, (USAID).
When the team or members of the team are activated, expenses are paid for by USAID, and not county tax dollars. Training, equipment, and personnel costs of Virginia Task Force 1 are paid for by the federal government on a regular basis. The County reaps great benefits by having personnel trained in search and rescue operations as a result of our relationship with USAID and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, (FEMA). Additionally, when personnel are deployed, there is no loss in service to Fairfax County residents as minimum staffing continues around-the-clock for all fire stations and for all fire and medical units. The training and expertise that is gained by partnering with the federal government in times of local, regional, national, and international disasters and emergencies enhances and improves the skills of our firefighters and paramedics. Those skills are passed on to the residents of Fairfax County and surrounding jurisdictions on a daily basis, making Fairfax County a safer and better place to live and work.
I am so proud to witness Fairfax County's caring and compassionate response during this time of great need. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those who are affected by this tragedy.
Sincerely,
Sharon Bulova
Chairman, Board of Supervisors
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