Pearl – The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency has deployed a seven member team to the Florida Emergency Management Headquarters in Tallahassee to assist with relief efforts to Haitians. Florida has been inundated with Haitian refugees since a massive 7.0 earthquake devastated the country two weeks ago. 

MEMA staff will help with human services, operations, planning and public information as Florida continues to aid the injured and provide housing for those affected by the earthquake.

Florida Emergency Management is also assisting with the coordination of two major events in the state over the next two weeks. The NFL Pro Bowl and Super Bowl XLIV will take place in Miami on consecutive Sundays.

“Florida was one of the first states to provide help to Mississippi following Hurricane Katrina in 2005,” said MEMA director Mike Womack. “We are glad to be able to send some of our experienced staff to assist them during this hectic time.”

 MEMA staff members in Florida are: Planning:  Alynda Ponder and Julius Green; Operations: Tina Norman and Stuart Caldecott; Human Services:  Becky Sullivan and Tony Norwood; Public Information: Greg Flynn.

The team is committed to working in Tallahassee until Feb. 5, with the possibility of staying an additional week.