Volunteer Trained Professionals and Specialized Groups Have Priority in Providing Assistance and Relief Efforts in Japan

 The U.S.'s response to the Japanese government request for international assistance is being coordinated by USAID.  The U.S. Agency for International Development has already selected and sent two of the country's elite search and rescue teams to Misawa air base, Northern Japan.  By Sunday afternoon, members of the Fairfax County, Virginia and the Los Angeles Urban Search and Rescue have already arrived in Misawa, Japan.  They will soon receive orders and instructions to head to some of the affected areas.  Equipped with the tools of their trade such as sniffer dogs and sledge hammers, these highly trained professionals will try to rescue people trapped in buildings or stranded on top of standing buildings.  The dog handlers and their canine rescuers were happy to land and ready to start looking for survivors.

Search and Rescue teams and equipment of all kinds have already arrived from countries such as China, Germany, France, England, New Zealand, Canada, Australia, South Korea, etc.

Miyagi, Japan, more than 1000 bodies have been washed onshore. Complete towns have been washed away by the waves of the tsunami.

A second hydrogen explosion occurred at Fukushima Nuclear power plant.  More people are hurt there.   This explosion was similar to the first one that occurred on Saturday.  The explosion did not cause a massive nuclear leak.  No large amount of radioactive materials were leaked into the atmosphere.

Anti-nuclear plants protesters in Germany and France took place yesterday.  These countries receive much of their power from nuclear plants.  

 
We would like to applaud this young man's desire to help and contribute to the relief efforts that are underway for the Japanese people.  He figures it out right.

"Trained Professionals and Specialized groups of volunteers are most crucial at the moment."  Due to the mitigating risks involved, civilian volunteer groups will have a chance to help later on.

"Hello,

My name is Dan Oprisch and I am 18 years old and willing to go overseas to provide my services in the Japan Tsunami relief efforts in whatever way possible.  I do not have a lot of money to give, but I can provide my physical abilities and whatever else necessary to help the relief effort.  I know civilian groups are not being formed at this point in time, as trained professionals and specialized groups of volunteers are most crucial at the moment.  However, when the time comes and the call needs to be answered, I all inclusively offer myself.  If there is a list that is being formed for when this time comes, please send me information and include me on it.  I hope I can be of service.  

Sincerely,

Dan Oprisch"