In the aftermath of the worst earthquake to hit Haiti in more than 200 years, Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Teams comprised of IAFF members from across North America are being deployed to the disaster zone to perform rescue operations, provide medical care and other needed emergency services. Some USAR teams were dispatched less than three hours after the earthquake occurred. The highly trained USAR teams of IAFF members, rescue dogs, doctors, nurses and many other highly trained individuals were formally deployed by the U.S. government through the United States Agency for International Development's (USAID) Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance. Federal deployment as of January 14 is as follows:  ·         USARVA-1 team (Fairfax County) in Haiti: base camp established, initial survey conducted, and priority targets identified. ·         USARCA-2 team (Los Angeles County) to arrive at 4:30 a.m. EST, January 14, in Haiti. ·         USARFL-1 and FL-2 (Miami-Dade) teams deploying from Homestead, Florida on January 14. ·         USARVA-2, Ohio-1, California A-5, California-7, New York-1 and Texas-1 task forces have been activated and are awaiting transportation to Port-au-Prince, tentatively scheduled to arrive at Port-au-Prince January 14. ·         A USAR Incident Support Team is preparing to deploy to support USAR operations in Haiti. ·         Additional USAR teams are on standby.Click here for updates on U.S. deployments and situational updates. In Canada, the Interdepartmental Strategic Support Team and the Reconnaisance element of the Canadian Forces Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) are responding to the disaster zone. Canadian IAFF members and their USAR teams are preparing and standing by for deployment once the Canadian government gives the authorization. DO NOT SELF DEPLOY   The IAFF reminds its members that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has asked that the emergency response community NOT self deploy to affected disaster areas. Only those tasked by the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) should deploy. The most urgent need at this time is supporting ongoing disaster relief fundraising efforts.  For additional information on how you can assist during this disaster, contact Ron McGraw at (202) 824-8635 or email rmcgraw@iaff.org.