Hurricane Katrina: Search and Rescue

Lt. Mark Stone , operations coordinator for Fairfax County International Search and Rescue, will be online Thursday, Sept. 1, at 11 a.m. ET to discuss deployment of two teams to the Gulf Coast region to rescue victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Read the story: Relief Crews From Region Set Out to Help (The Post, Aug. 30)

Full Coverage: Special Report -- In Katrina's Wake

A transcript follows.

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washingtonpost.com: Lt. Stone, thank you for taking time out to talk to us this morning.

Tell us what Fairfax Fire and Rescue's Virginia Task Force 1 doing in the Gulf? What's the latest from there on how things are going? How big is the task?

Lt. Mark Stone: Good morning, our personnel are currently in Ocean Springs Mississippi, performing search and rescue operations. They are all in good health, anxiously hoping to help with this huge effort caused by the hurricane. We are anticipating being deployed for quite some time.

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Alexandria, Va.: It's beginning to seem very close to anarchy in the devastated region. Are your groups able to defend themselves, if need be? Would they ordinarily be matched with some type of security forces?

Lt. Mark Stone: This is a frequent question we get. We work very closely with our federal partner, FEMA, to ensure our personnel are kept safe during both domestic and international deployments. We have established a relationship with local authorities, and we are also working only in the daylight hours for added safety and security.

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Reston, Va.: At what point will it become impractical to spend time searching New Orleans for any remaining people stranded by Katrina? We read that 1,500 police officers are being pulled off search and rescue missions to deal with looters - some of whom are proving increasingly dangerous.

Lt. Mark Stone: Not an easy question to answer. There are documented cases of survivors being located after 10-14 days. Major factors include the availability of a water supply (rainwater, etc) and of course the weather. For this mission, as with most others, our primary mission will remain "search and rescue" of live victims for days to come.

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Clifton, Va.: Lt. Stone: as a Fairfax County resident, I'm always proud whenever I see our county represented so well by your unit in disasters across the world; thanks, and keep up the great work.

My question: in your work in disasters like this, have you ever found that at some point the number of searchers, rescuers, relief workers, etc., becomes too large to be effective -- that is, at some point, do people just start getting in the way? And if so, how can the governmental authorities in charge turn away such relief help without risking that it won't be available the next time it's needed?

Lt. Mark Stone: This occurs at nearly every disaster, large and small. A more troublesome issue is well-meaning, but untrained citizens arriving to assist. It creates an added burden on the overall management of the operation, and often is the cause of additional injuries. On any disaster, the local authorities are primarily in charge, even when the state or federal government assists. Effective command of the incident relies on the coordination efforts of many resources. As we are seeing in the gulf region, circumstances created by non-rescuers, are pulling public safety resources away from their primary roles. There are many thought processes on "how many is too many" when it comes to sending rescue personnel. While each situation has it's own inherent characteristics, we typically find that sending more, and recalling them if needed, is best.

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Berlin, Md.: I realize that search and rescue is a priority, but, at this time, water and food seem to be at the same priority level. Are you equipped with enough to share with those you find?

Lt. Mark Stone: You are exactly correct in this assessment. Priorities in most disasters often co-exist. While we are all witnessing relief efforts primarily through media outlets, it is important to understand that local, state and federal agencies are working hard with private and public relief entities to address these needs...often these efforts are being down behind-the-scenes, but no less effectively.

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Washington, D.C.: How do your troops know where to go? Do the people have to be visible or do you go inside places and search?

Lt. Mark Stone: We travel with considerable resources for search operations. These include GPS units, wireless laptop capabilities and satellite phones. We also work closely with the local authorities for maps, etc. When we encounter a collapsed building, we perform a complete search of the structure using canines, remote cameras, acoustical devices and other means to locate victims.

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washingtonpost.com: Hurricane Katrina -- Online Resources and How to Help

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Reston, Va.: What is the number of Fairfax County workers that will be assisting with the relief effort?

Lt. Mark Stone: We currently have 34 team members deployed. We are working with FEMA, as well as the state of Virginia, to determine the feasibility of sending additional resources. Granted, this decision is based on many factors, including the provisions of adequate resources left here at "home".

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Jackson, Wyo.: I am getting a little tired of hearing complaints from the victims of this disaster about how long it is taking to get them help, when in fact so many people are, in fact, safe and being helped in what seems to be a relatively short time. I do understand that people are angry and scared and need to vent to get those feelings out, but would like a comment on the realistic state of preparedness and initial response given that this storm was the equivilent of a 100-year or 1000-year storm and that it was impossible to tell how bad it would be until it had passed. It seems to me that we are doing pretty well given that it took weeks to get to some Indian ocean villages following last winter's Tsunami.

Lt. Mark Stone: I must be careful to not cross the personal/professional line here. I was deployed to the Tsunami for 3 weeks. While I did not witness the type of "civil unrest" that appears to be occurring here, I do not profess to have an explanation. I can only hope that it is a misrepresentation of the country as a whole.

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Anonymous: Lt. Stone, I am a volunteer with a local wilderness search and rescue team with about 100 active members. I understand fully the risks involved with sending volunteers who are not trained specifically in urban SAR tasks (collapsed building, environmental hazards, etc.) in to help with recovery efforts. It's still frustrating that we can't help in any way. Is there a psossibility that volunteers who have SAR training will be asked to help supplement the professional teams already in place?

Lt. Mark Stone: There are all levels of trained responders utilized on most disasters. The key, typically, is to remain flexible with your skills and abilities, and continue to offer your services. In todays environment, we are quickly learning the benefits of training ourselves as an "all hazards" resource. I, for one, clearly understand the benefits that your expertise has.

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Vienna, Va.: How many (or few) search and rescue teams like yours are there in Virginia and around the nation and have they all been deployed to the Gulf Coast to aid in this disaster?

Lt. Mark Stone: Virginia has 2 federally sponsored teams, Fairfax and Virginia Beach. Both are deployed to the hurricane disaster, along with the 26 other US&R teams across the nation. Additionally, many states have their own search and rescue teams, some of whom have also deployed. This is an historic event for FEMA in many ways, including being the first time every US&R team has been deployed to one disaster.

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Arlington, Va.: There are a lot of questions being raised about why FEMA was not as well prepared as it traditionally has been for disasters. Do you have any sense of where the management failures happened and what the consequences have been?

Lt. Mark Stone: Except to state that I believe it is still premature to list this response as a failure, I would ask that a question of this magnitude be posed at the federal level. Hope you understand.

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Vienna, Va.: What is happening to people after they are pulled off of rooftops etc.? They have nothing, not even adequate clothing, and I worry that no agency or group is able to provide them with the basics -- food, water, shelter, medical care -- given the desperate needs througout the region. I've heard news reports that some people have been rescued only to be deposited on the roadside to fend for themselves.

Lt. Mark Stone: I am confident we will learn of the enormous effort that organizations such as the Red Cross and Salvation Army have been mounting to address the displaced persons of this tragedy. To see volunteers leaving from our area to help with food, shelter and other needs, provides testimony that we are doing everything we can to assist.

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Clifton, Va.: When the Fairfax URBAN SAR teams returns I would like to treat the hard working canines to a round of Frosty Paws. I am located 5 minutes from your trainging facility off of WEst OX Rd. Is this possible?

Lt. Mark Stone: I am sure the pups would be most gracious. I must caution that their handlers may have some "dietary restrictions" in place. Love to have you at the homecoming, stay tuned to the news for our return.

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Washington, D.C.: Any info on Picayune Missisppi (it is 30 miles from the Gulf Coast and 40 miles from New Orleans -- but right next to Slidell). I can't find anything online about the town or how to search for people that were there. Please advise.

Lt. Mark Stone: As we can imagine, information is still a difficult commodity at this point. If not already attempted, try the Mississippi state website for possible updates and or information. No guarantees, but it may guide you in the right direction.

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Richmond, Va.: Lt. Stone,

Is your team assigned a specific sector of the region to search by FEMA? And how many other large cities or counties are contributing similar resources?

Lt. Mark Stone: Yes, our efforts are always well-coordinated to provide the most effective response without duplication of effort. We work for a FEMA Incident Management Team (IST), which was also deployed. They serve as the coordinating function for all teams in the area. There are two such IST's staffed for this disaster. Once assigned an area, each team will use a grid-system to perform effective and efficient searches.

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Las Vegas, Nev.: How are communications working out? It seems like that's always a challenge when various organizations from different agencies try to work together on an incident.

Lt. Mark Stone: As you state, communication are a challenge. Through lessons-learned and newer technology, we are learning to overcome most situations. Satellite phones are benefical at the moment. Other means will be utilized if the situation allows.

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Elkridge, Md.: Lt. Stone, do you find that the experience gained from deployments acts as a substitute for training? Or what are the trade-offs? Thanks for serving our country!

Lt. Mark Stone: Quite frankly,and personally, there is no substitute for adequate and appropriate training. However, serving on a deployment certainly gives one the opportunity to apply their training in a real-world situation. You are welcome, thanks for caring.

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McLean, Va.: Sir, are many people being found in collapsed structures, or are most of the rescues from attics and roofs?

Lt. Mark Stone: A combination of both. The US&R teams will assist greatly with the collapsed structure issue, since we have the equipment and training to locate victims.

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Washington, D.C.: Lt Stone --

THANK YOU -- you and your team -- for what you do. So many of us feel helpless in the face of such a disaster, it's reassuring to know that there are folks like you out there to help others and that if we can't join you in person we can help support your efforts.

THANK YOU

Lt. Mark Stone: My pleasure, and thank everyone for the support you give us.

Please visit our website (www.vatf1.org) to learn more about the team.

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Friendship, Md.: Do you rescue pets also?

Lt. Mark Stone: We do, and we have. Thanks

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Waldorf, Md.: I just graduted college in May and have not yet found a job -- so I am willing and able to travel south to volunteer to help. Do you know where I can find organized groups going down? Or is it still too soon to begin the "clean up?"

Lt. Mark Stone: I applaud your attitude. Contact the American Red Cross. I am sure they are already assembling teams and supplies to deal with the aftermath. While it may be a little to soon to clean up, it's never to soon to offer help.

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Washington, D.C.: Lt. Stone:

How does one go about joining a SAR team (for the future -- not to help with this incident)? Do people join teams with the prerequisite skills? Is there training that one can do to join a team?

Thanks and keep up the good work.

Lt. Mark Stone: Membership on the task force is achieved by being an employee of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, or as a civilian with a set skill and ability. Our physicians, structural engineer and canine handlers are all civilian. We all go through regular and extensive training to maintain membership on the team.

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Fairfax County, Va.: Dear Lt. Stone,

It seems ridiculous to me, but some county residents worry about the cost of the team, what with high property taxes and all. Am I right that it's federally funded, so that's not an issue?

By the way, I don't give a darn how it's funded myself. I'm just proud to see you and your team representing our county so well with your skill, efforts, and courage at many disasters, including this one.

Thank you so much and please take care of yourselves out there.

Lt. Mark Stone: Thank you, and yes, when we are deployed, domestically or internationally, we become federal assets, with our government assuming expenditures. This includes the firefighters and paramedics that "fill in" for us while we are gone.

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Lt. Mark Stone: Thanks to all, duty calls. We are continuing to monitor the progress of our team in Mississippi. I enjoyed the chats.

Please keep the victims, rescuers and everyone directly affected by this disaster in your thoughts.

Lt. Mark Stone

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