Local FEMA team heads to Haiti to aid in humanitarian mission

  • Published
  • By Harry J. Lundy
  • Air Combat Command Public Affairs
NORFOLK, Va. --  Members of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Virginia Task Force 2 Team departed for Haiti Jan. 15 aboard two C-17 Globmaster IIIs to join the search for survivors from last week's destructive earthquake.

"Everyone is excited to get down there," said Michael Barakey, a search and rescue team member. "We want to help; we want to do what we are trained to do."

The task force is comprised of 80 firefighters and paramedics from the Hampton Roads area, who were activated shortly after the event.

"It took several hours to get everything together, but with coordination from the U.S. government and local firefighters, it really occurred quite quickly to get where we are right now," Mr. Barakey said.

The C-17s, from Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., and Travis Air Force Base, Calif., arrived early Jan. 15. Crews began loading vehicles and supplies that would be needed for the humanitarian mission.

Capt. Ryan Burns, 21st Airlift Squadron aircraft commander, and his crew had already delivered one search and rescue team to Haiti, and Captain Burns said he's looking forward to this mission as well.

"We want to help them (Haitians) because I want to help my neighbor. That is human nature," Captain Burns said.

Upon arrival in Haiti, the team will set up a secure base of operation and will be assigned missions based on the most probable places to find survivors. The task force will use several specialized tools to complete their tasks.

Cameras and microphones will be used to look for people in difficult to reach areas. Breach and break equipment will allow rescuers to get through the debris, and shores will be used to hold back rubble while survivors are pulled out for medical evaluation.

The aircraft were loaded and refueled, and the 80-person team left shortly after 5 p.m.

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