A TEAM from West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) have joined members of UK International Search and Rescue (UK ISAR) to Morocco to help with rescue efforts.
The United Nations has estimated that 300,000 people were affected by Friday night’s (September 8) magnitude 6.8 quake.
It’s feared that the current death toll of 2,000-plus people could rise still further, as the country braces for aftershocks.
The seven WMFS staff, who volunteer as members of UK ISAR, are among some 60 fire and rescue service personnel deployed. Their flight landed in Morocco in the early hours of Monday (September 11).
Deputy chief fire officer Jo Bowcock met with the team before they flew out to Morocco, to wish them well on behalf of the service.
Wayne Brown, WMFS’s chief fire officer, said: “Our thoughts are with all in Morocco affected by this devastating earthquake, as well as with the responders who are dedicated to rescuing survivors.
“As always, we are extremely grateful to and proud of our UK ISAR members for answering the call, and for their families’ support. The team’s health and wellbeing is paramount, and we will give them all possible support during this deployment.”
UK ISAR offered support and started to plan their mission immediately after the earthquake. They were deployed once the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s offer of help was accepted by Morocco on Sunday.
Here in the UK, WMFS is hosting and staffing the 24/7 UK ISAR Incident Room for the deployment, which will provide a vital link between the team in Morocco, their families and fire and rescue services.
