L.A. County rescuers waiting for orders to respond to Haiti earthquake

La Times blogs

Rescuers from Los Angeles County were awaiting orders tonight to respond to earthquake-ravaged Haiti.

The heavy rescue task force from the Los Angeles County Fire Department was preparing its equipment at a staging area in Pacoima, officials said.

“If and when they get the word, they’ll go,” said Inspector Steve Zermeno of the county Fire Department. “I know they’re needed down there.”

The 72 members are part of a self-contained squad that responds with 55,000 pounds of pre-packaged medical supplies and specialized search-and-rescue equipment.

Israel to send rescue team to earthquake-struck Haiti

from Haaretz

The Foreign Ministry reported on Wednesday that a rescue team would leave immediately for disaster-stricken Haiti, which was hit Tuesday by the worst earthquake the area has known in the last 200 years.

The airport in the city has been closed since the 7.0 quake hit on Tuesday evening, but the Foriegn Ministry decided to send the team with the hope that they would be able to land by the time they arrive.

Israeli ambassador to the Dominican Republic, Amos Radian, is scheduled to join the rescue team whose purpose is to gauge the best way Israel can assist with the crisis and decide on the most immediate needs.

Black lawmakers vow to help Haiti

Jan. 13, 2010, 12:30 a.m. – Black lawmakers yesterday pledged their support to help the victims of Haiti’s catastrophic earthquake.

Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA), chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, said her organization’s members “will continue to monitor the situation in Haiti and are committed to providing whatever humanitarian assistance is need.”

“Over the last few years Haiti has experienced an extraordinary set of challenges from high food prices and food shortages to natural disasters,” Lee said. “Haiti will need increased attention and resources from the international community to help it recover during this difficult period. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Haitian people and the Haitian American community.”

RAW: International Red Cross statement on Haiti earthquake

GENEVA (BNO NEWS) — The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies released the following statement on Wednesday in response to Tuesday’s devastating earthquake that struck Haiti’s capital.

“An earthquake measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale struck Haiti on Tuesday. It hit the capital Port-au-Prince and other areas of the country. The earthquake was also felt in other countries in the region. The most affected area is Haiti’s West Province with a population of 2.2 million.