Haiti Earthquake Response Update – Day
9 (21 January 2010)
Following the catastrophic 7.0 earthquake in Haiti,
the US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps has deployed various
officers (roster attached) in response to a variety of requests. In
addition to activities described in previous briefs, recent activities
include:
-
CAPT
Belardo on the Us Navy ship
USS Bataan
remained aboard ship today given limitations in helicopter
operations which prevented his travel to join the PAHO
Health Cluster meeting this afternoon. CAPT Belardo
did continue ship-to-shore communications with the public
health contingent at the IRCT and the CDC public health
detachment, helping to plan coordinated public health
assessments. He also maintained ongoing
communication with the Commodore for the
USS Bataan
group due to change in mission focus toward primarily health
care activities. LCDR JeanPaul and CDR Denis deployed
ashore to the area around Grand Goäve, Haiti along with
Marine units and the DOD civil affairs officer onboard.
They performed early field assessments of health-related
needs, communicating directly with local leaders and health
professionals. The advance team will be going to the
US Embassy tomorrow to finalize strategies with the PAHO
Health Cluster for coordinated public health assessments in
the country.
-
This
morning, the Commodore for the
USS Bataan group
formally requested a 7-person detachment of USPHS personnel
to form an Expeditionary Team to conduct public health
assessments and immunization activities ashore in support of
U.S. Navy and Marine operations. OFRD has rostered a
team to meet this request and is pursuing travel
arrangements and logistical considerations.
-
USNS Comfort
continued medical operations in Haitian waters today. The
USPHS officer on board is actively engaged in the ship’s
medical operations division and continues to assist in the
coordination of any future USPHS personnel that may be
requested by the USNS
Comfort or this mission commander.
-
Round the
clock support for EMG operations continues with officers
identified in previous updates.
-
OFRD has
responded to an ASPR request to deploy a USPHS officer as
ACF liaison (LNO) to the Department of State (DOS).
LCDR Jerald Mahlau-Heinert (HSO, DHS) will deploy this
evening to report to DOS tomorrow evening.
-
CDR Ed
Dieser continues to serve as the USPHS liaison (LNO) to US
Southern Command.
-
CAPT
McRae, mental health LNO to the IRCT, continues to work in
support of their activities.
-
The five
previously identified USPHS officers with Creole language
skills continue assisting in ASPR operations in Haiti.
-
The
request from ASPR to deploy 3 USPHS officers as medical
technologists was rescinded by ASPR EMG operations.
-
OFRD
identified an officer to support the ASPR Fusion Cell as
requested by ASPR yesterday evening. The officer, LCDR
Leslie Wehrlen (Nurse, NIH) reported to duty this morning.
-
OFRD has
rostered 4 pre-configured on-call response teams (~188
officers) and ~ 800 on-call Tier 3 officers who remain
available for deployment this month. Communication
with Team Leads occurs daily. Communication with all
Tier 1 and Tier 2 Team Leads took place this afternoon.
-
Total
officers deployed to date: 22
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