HAITI EARTHQUAKE

FLORIDA STATE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TEAM

RESPONDS TO HAITI EARTHQUAKE

TALLAHASSEE- -In response to Tuesday’s earthquake in Haiti, the Florida State Emergency Management Team has deployed personnel from around the state to assist in recovery efforts. The State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) is currently operating at a Level 2 or partial activation.

“We are continuing in our planning and coordination efforts with the federal government to be able to provide any needed assistance and resources to our neighbors in Haiti at this time,” said Governor Charlie Crist. “We know from experience that disasters have no borders and our state team is ready, willing and able to answer the call.”

Response efforts by the state of Florida to date include:

· Two 72-member urban search and rescue teams, South Florida Task Force Team 1 and South Florida Task Force Team 2 and 12 canines deployed to Haiti to provide search and rescue assistance. South Florida Urban Search and Rescue teams respond to a variety of disasters, including earthquakes, hurricanes, typhoons, storms and tornadoes, floods, dam failures, technological accidents, terrorist activities and hazardous materials releases where victims may be trapped, lost or injured.

· The FloridaOne Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) out of Pensacola joined DMAT teams from throughout the United States at a staging area in Atlanta, GA. FloridaOne DMAT is comprised of people with expertise in the fields of medicine, mental health, communications, administration and logistics.

· On Wednesday Governor Charlie Crist pledged to provide assistance to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Floridians who have friends and loved ones in Haiti.

State emergency management officials continue planning efforts with state, federal and international disaster officials to assist with response and recovery efforts for the island nation. Operations, logistics, plans and human services teams are prepared to assist with any mission requests.

Floridians and neighbors across the country can contribute to “Neighbors to the Rescue” by going to www.FLADisasterRecoveryFund.org – or by calling 1-800-825-3786.

About the Florida Disaster Recovery Fund

The Florida Disaster Recovery Fund, formerly the Florida Hurricane Relief Fund, was initiated during the 2004 hurricane season to assist with the unmet and long-term recovery needs of survivors. The fund is managed by the nonprofit Volunteer Florida Foundation and fueled entirely by private sector donations, with grants made to long-term recovery organizations. For more information about the Volunteer Florida Foundation please visit www.volunteerfloridafoundation.org.

For more information on the Florida Division of Emergency Management and to GET A PLAN!, please visit: www.FloridaDisaster.org. All students, teachers and parents can find educational information and free downloadable materials at: www.KidsGetAPlan.com. And for the latest situation and flash reports go to: www.YouTube.com/FloridaSERT.