New York, 14 September 2001

 

Dear Mayor Giuliani,

OFFER OF EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION TO NEW YORK CITY

Further to Ambassador John Richardson's letter of 12th September, the European Union is pleased to send you an updated list of offers of assistance from its Member States.

If a request for help is received, the European Commission has made the necessary preparations for an assessment and co-ordination team to come immediately to New York with a view to facilitating the intervention of the teams sent by Member States.

We stand ready to meet with you when you feel the time is right to set any necessary wheels in motion according to your own assessed needs.

Europe stands united with the people of New York.

Yours sincerely,

 

 

H.E. Ingeborg Kristoffersen                        H.E. John B. Richardson
Consul-General of Belgium                        Ambassador
Presidency of the European Union             European Commission Delegation 

 

COMMUNITY MECHANISM FOR COORDINATION OF INTERVENTION IN CASE OF DISASTERS, LATEST OFFERS OF ASSISTANCE FROM EUROPEAN UNION MEMBER STATES

Austria can offer 4 military and 1 civil-military SAR team, search dogs and blood products from the Austrian Red Cross, 3 search dog teams and 3 identification teams.

France makes available 3 intervention teams (made of 60 persons each and including medical teams and dogs) with materials for search and rescue. Additional teams can be provided within two hours if necessary.

Ireland can provide 2 teams of fire-fighters (12 persons).

The United Kingdom has offered BritSearch and Rescue Teams, Fire Service, Rapid UK, International Rescue Corps, CANIS (dog rescue teams) that include 60-70 specialists in Urban and Rescue Service, and Medical assistance. It has also offered counter-terrorist law enforcement (including forensic or investigative assistance).

Spain has offered specific support (search dogs and rescue teams).

Greece offered Rescue and Medical Teams.

Sweden could provide a fully equipped Search and Rescue team including search dogs, search equipment etc. The team is able to deploy from Sweden within six hours.

The Netherlands will give all assistance the U.S. Government needs, and in particular specialists in identifying bodies.

Germany offered the support of a Search and Rescue Rapid Deployment Unit (65 members), including electronic detection systems as well as blood plasma.

Luxembourg offered the support of a Search and Rescue Unit (including dogs).

Italy can make available one or several teams of about 100 people.

Finland is ready to offer a search and rescue team (appr. 20 people) with necessary equipment as well as blood products and DVI team.

Denmark is ready to assist if necessary and asked for.

Belgium has already sent 10 people (5 doctors of the Centre for severely burned and 5 members of the Disaster Victim Identification team) presently on stand by in Iceland.

Portugal can make available Search and Rescue Teams (30 elements available immediately), Medical Assistance Teams, Identification Teams and Psychological Assistance Teams.

PLUS:

Norway has made available 15 "on location" investigators, 4 forensic orthodontists and 4 experts on identification (forensic medicine).

Iceland has offered whatever assistance and support Icelandic authorities are capable of providing, including a search and rescue team.