BARBADOS – Miami-Dade Fire Rescue’s (MDFR) Urban Search and Rescue Team was deployed to Barbados on Sunday, August 26, 2007, to assist in the rescue mission of five family members trapped in a building collapse. According to reports, it is believed that the family is trapped underground after the building they lived in collapsed into a cave.
The 15-team member unit, which includes two search canines, arrived on the scene late Sunday night and is now in a joint effort with the Barbados Defence Force, Barbados Fire Service and Royal Barbados Police Force to rescue possible survivors.
The decision to deploy the team was made by Chief Herminio Lorenzo after receiving a call requesting assistance from the government of Barbados.
The Urban Search and Rescue Team mission is to respond to natural and man-made disasters by providing search and rescue support, medical support, communications and damage assessment, and to coordinate the distribution of relief supplies.
Scenes from rescue efforts
