Haiti Earthquake Response Update

Haiti Earthquake Response Update – Day 3 (15 January 2010)

In response to the catastrophic 7.0 earthquake in Haiti, the US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps has deployed various officers in response to a variety of requests. In addition to activities described in previous briefs, recent activities include:

LCDR Angela Girgenti reported to USNS Comfort at 1330 today, 15 January. This officer’s role initially is as an administrative officer in the USNS Comfort planning division. The USNS Comfort will depart Baltimore for Haiti approximately Saturday 16 January.
The three officers onboard the USS Bataan, identified in previous updates, continue to work with Navy shipboard planners to develop operations anticipated upon the ships arrival in Haiti. USS Bataan is currently in port in North Carolina, embarking a Marine Expeditionary Unit and is due to sail for Haiti tomorrow morning.
OFRD had been requested by 4^th Fleet Surgeon’s office to deploy officers to the USS Carl Vinson to perform disaster public health assessments in Haiti. However, this augmentee detachment was not able to be assumed by the ship, given its primary mission in logistics support for relief activities. Similarly, the USS Bataan reported no available berthing due to the embarkation of a full Marine Expeditionary Unit (2200 troops), thus prohibiting any augmentation with USPHS personnel requested by the 4th Fleet Surgeon. The requested officers for the USNS Comfort were identified; however, due to timing of the ships departure tomorrow, 16 January, USPHS officers are unable to travel for timely embarkation.
Round the clock support for EMG operations continues with officers identified in previous updates.
Confirmation was established today for travel for CDR Ed Dieser to US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) as the USPHS liaison officer (LNO) to assist in facilitating communication with DHHS response activities. CDR Dieser is due to travel to Miami tomorrow morning, 16 January.
CAPT Phil McRae awaits travel through ASPR to Haiti to imbed in the Incident Response Coordination Team (IRCT) as the Mental Health liaison. The IRCT was due to deploy into Haiti this afternoon.
OFRD continues to coordinate with ACF and ASPR’s liaison at Department of State about possible incoming repatriation flights and related activities.

Haiti Earthquake Response Update – Day 3 (15 January 2010)

In response to the catastrophic 7.0 earthquake in Haiti, the US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps has deployed various officers in response to a variety of requests. In addition to activities described in previous briefs, recent activities include:

LCDR Angela Girgenti reported to USNS Comfort at 1330 today, 15 January. This officer’s role initially is as an administrative officer in the USNS Comfort planning division. The USNS Comfort will depart Baltimore for Haiti approximately Saturday 16 January.

Round the clock support for EMG operations continues with officers identified in previous updates.

Confirmation was established today for travel for CDR Ed Dieser to US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) as the USPHS liaison officer (LNO) to assist in facilitating communication with DHHS response activities. CDR Dieser is due to travel to Miami tomorrow morning, 16 January.

CAPT Phil McRae awaits travel through ASPR to Haiti to imbed in the Incident Response Coordination Team (IRCT) as the Mental Health liaison. The IRCT was due to deploy into Haiti this afternoon.

OFRD continues to coordinate with ACF and ASPR’s liaison at Department of State about possible incoming repatriation flights and related activities.