In addition to the search and rescue teams, the emergency management agency had sent 23 disaster medical assistance teams.

And a 24-hour on-site technical assistance team is available for guests.

Committee members also received briefings from American military assistance advisory teams and embassy staffs during the trip.

Camp counselors and administrators were widely praised for their efforts to keep the children calm until assistance teams arrived.

The assistance team tries to get the injured stable enough to survive transport to a hospital.

Forty-two communities around the country have expressed interest in the program and Federal officials said there would eventually be 75 to 80 medical assistance teams nationwide.

But being sent to a disaster area is not the only way a medical assistance team can be used.

The medical assistance team will consist of 33 people selected from a pool of about 120 volunteers.

A public announcement will be made shortly inviting Westchester health professionals to join the medical assistance team.

I am sure a positive response will be arriving with the first assistance teams.