YOU CAN HELP HAITI!

The Structural Engineering profession is committed to protecting the public safety; and a number of Structural Engineers are already participating in the rescue efforts in Haiti as members of search and rescue teams. The expertise of our members is vital to ensure the safe removal of debris and the design of temporary support shoring needed to extricate victims trapped in the rubble of collapsed structures.

NCSEA as well as SEAOG maintains a Structural Engineers Emergency Response (SEER) committee that consists of volunteer structural engineers across the country, trained in the structural engineering aspects of emergency response to earthquakes, hurricanes, and other natural or man-made disasters.  The SEER Committee is currently communicating with the government and private sector to identify ways in which the structural engineering community can lend its talents, skills and experience. At the present time, however, public and private sector personnel are reminded that they should not self-deploy to affected areas. The United States Department of State is coordinating foreign disaster assistance, and U.S. assets should deploy only if tasked to do so by the State Department. The most urgent need at the present time is supporting ongoing disaster relief fundraising efforts.

YOUR CURRENT OPTIONS AS A STRUCTURAL ENGINEER THAT SEAOG HAS IDENTIFIED:

1.  Let SEAOG know if you are willing to go to Haiti, and whether or not you have been trained in ATC 20 or ATC 45 post-disaster assessment, or another recognized training program, by emailing SEAOG's SEERP committee chair Adam Ray, who will compile the information and forward to NCSEA's coordinator.

2.  If you are an experienced engineer and speak advanced/fluent French or Creole, email your resume ASAP to helphaiti@aidg.org.  Thanks to Engineers without Borders-USA for providing this information.

3.  Give as you are able financially. (clicking will bring up Charity Navigator's list of reputable charities)

4.  If you are interested in ATC 20 and/or 45 training (post-earthquake and -hurricane disaster structural assessment, notify Adam Ray.