For People Seeking To Restore Contacts with Family Members After the Earthquake in Haiti

15 01 2010

Here is some information that might be helpful for those looking for relatives in Haiti.    The Family Links program is operated by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).  Review the information carefully; there are some important caveats about the Family Links program.  On its website, the ICRC indicates that:

As a result of the earthquake that hit Haiti on 12 January 2010, thousands of persons within Haiti and abroad have lost contact with their loved ones.  The aim of the Family Links website is to accelerate the process of restoring contact between separated family members.

It is managed by the ICRC, in cooperation with the tracing services of the Haitian Red Cross Society and of National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies throughout the world.  The website offers the possibility for persons in Haiti and abroad to publish their own names and the names of relatives with whom they are striving to restore contact.

In Haiti, the Red Cross has not been able yet to collect and publish on the Website the identities and whereabouts of the persons affected by the earthquake. Nevertheless, with the current reinforcement of their activities, the ICRC, together with the Haitian Red Cross, will add on the Website more information on the affected population in Haiti. This will provide more responses to the queries of anxious families who remain without news from their loved ones.

Entries published on the lists can be modified only by the ICRC at op_prot_haiti.gva@icrc.org. If you want to modify details for a name that you entered or delete a name completely, you must email the ICRC.  If your search is not successful, do not hesitate to revisit the website frequently, as everyday, new people are registering themselves.   To locate your relatives go to the following link:

http://www.familylinks.icrc.org/WFL_HTI.NSF/DocIndex/locate_eng?opendocument

IMPORTANT
The ICRC has no means of verifying the information sent through the network. It is not responsible for any inaccurate information given through the services made available on this site.

The information given on this website is not confidential and can be consulted by everyone. It is the responsibility of the persons publishing information on this website to ensure that no harm can result from this publication. The ICRC cannot be held responsible for any negative consequences of publishing information on this website.


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Categories : Emergency Management, Evacuation, Family Reunification

Texas Task Force-1 Heading to Haiti Today

14 01 2010

I have learned today that Texas Task Force-1 has been ordered to deploy to Haiti.  If this does make you feel Texas Proud, not much will I imagine.  The members of the TX-TF1 are heroes in my book——— not sure they always receive the heartfelt thanks they deserve. But, really, they members of the Task Force do not need to hear the thanks—- they are just happy to respond; render assistance to others, and do a great job helping their fellow citizens.  I have friends on the Task Force and I am always impressed by their personal sacrifices to be part of the team; their willingness to go through immense training on a continual basis; and their readiness to risk their lives to help others. 

Texas Task Force-1 originated in response to the bombing of the Murrah Federal building in Oklahoma City on April 19, 1995. The Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) – the primary agency responsible for coordinating urban search and rescue (US&R) efforts under the State of Texas Emergency Management Plan – became acutely aware that a similar event could very well happen within our state. In October 1996, TEEX assembled an Urban Search and Rescue Advisory Board.

The advisory board included three representatives from within the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the US&R response system, and representatives from ten Texas departments and agencies. The group wanted to accomplish the following goals:

1. Create a US&R Task Force for the State of Texas,
2. Create a Regional Search & Rescue Response System,
3. Create a Training Center for Search & Rescue,
4. Develop Regional Training Capability.

In December 1996, FEMA issued a request for proposal (RFP) to add two additional task forces to the existing 25 task forces. The advisory board decided to submit a proposal even though the task force had not been officially formed.

The advisory board and TEEX staff devoted countless hours to solicit applications, interview and appoint 124 members to the task force prior to January 1, 1997. Dr. G. Kemble Bennett, Director of TEEX, allocated $700,000 of agency funds to begin procuring the necessary rescue equipment.   On February 14, 1997, Texas Task Force I (TX-TF1) assembled for its first organizational meeting. The advisory board then sought state funding to equip the task force. In May 1997, the Texas Legislature allocated $2 million dollars over a two-year period to equip, train, and operate the task force.

TX-TF 1 has responded to a variety of disasters including Hurricane Ivan, Hurricane Katrina, and the World Trade Center bombing.  For more information on TX-TF 1:   http://usar.tamu.edu/

I wish safe travels for the deploying TX-TF1 team.  Do your good work and come back safely to Texas!


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Categories : Emergency Management, Evacuation, Texas Task Force-1

Road to Ready Internet Radio Show – Sharon Nalls

12 03 2009

logoroad-to-readyIf you get a chance tomorrow, please connect to the Road to Ready Internet Radio Show, hosted by Rick Tobin. This week’s topic is: Evacuation. This particular show will explore the challenges of evacuation when a threat requires people to move out of harms way. As noted by Tobin, evacuation is truly one of the most difficult challenges for both the public and the officials responsible for public safety. The special guest tomorrow is Sharon Nalls, CEM, Assistant Director/Emergency Management Coordinator for the City of Houston’s Office of Emergency Management. Sharon has been in her position since 2003, and being in the Houston area for much of her career, she has been very much involved in planning and response activities related to hurricanes and other disasters.

I have known Sharon for several years. She is not only an extremely competent Emergency Manager, but also very caring and compassionate. Sharon not only understands the “big picture,” she has the ability to communicate her views very succinctly and in a very professional manner. Sharon is on the top of my list when I need sage advice when dealing with problems and challenges. Currently, Sharon is serving as the President of the Emergency Management Association of Texas (EMAT).

To listen to the Road to Ready Show on Friday, March 13th, at 3:00 p.m. EASTERN TIME simply access the show at www.ricktobin.com/roadtoready/ .


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Categories : Emergency Management, Evacuation, Hurricanes, Uncategorized