U.S. Fire Suppression Experts and Supplies Arrive in Israel

WASHINGTON, Dec. 6, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Agency for International Development's (USAID) Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) arrived in Haifa, Israel on December 5 to help combat the wildfires that began on December 2 in Northern Israel. In addition, the United States transported nearly 70 metric tons (MT) of fire suppressant and 3,800 gallons of fire retardant concentrate to Israel on December 5.

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"We are relieved to learn from the government of Israel that the fires are contained and commend them for leading and coordinating an extraordinary international effort to suppress the deadly wildfires," said Nancy Lindborg, USAID Assistant Administrator for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance. "The United States immediately mobilized when Israel needed our firefighting assistance, and we will continue to stand by our friends as they begin to recover and rebuild in the aftermath of the fires."

The USAID DART, which includes a National Incident Management Organization (NIMO) team with fire management experts from the U.S. Forest Service, is currently working alongside their Israeli counterparts at the command center at Haifa University to offer technical expertise and discuss additional ways the United States might assist.

On December 5, a USAID cargo flight, carrying approximately 27 metric tons (MT) of Fire-Trol retardant and 22 MT of Fire-Trol fire foam, landed in Israel. The USAID-charted aircraft, which originated in Italy, also transported 20 MT of Italian-donated fire foam to Israel. In addition, one U.S. C-130 aircraft from U.S. European Command (EUCOM) delivered 3,800 gallons of fire retardant concentrate to Israel.

On December 4, two U.S. C-130 aircraft from EUCOM delivered a total of 20 short tons of fire retardant to Israel.

The United States stands prepared to provide additional assistance to support the Government of Israel if needed.

SOURCE U.S. Agency for International Development

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