Tulsa Firefighters Arrive In Joplin To Assist In Search And Rescue Efforts

The Tulsa Fire Department has arrived in Joplin to help search for victims of Sunday's tornado.

Tuesday, May 24th 2011, 1:26 pm

By: News On 6


NewsOn6.com

JOPLIN, Missouri -- Members of the Tulsa Fire Department have arrived in Joplin to help search for victims of Sunday's tornado.

The Department has sent two Urban Search and Rescue units to the devastated Missouri city.

The Tulsa team splits up in groups and goes house to house listening for signs of life like dogs whimpering or people crying. 

The team then paints an orange "X" on the ruins it searches to indicate to other crews that it has been there. 

They face many obstacles, climbing over uprooted trees and downed power lines.

The team is also plugged into social networks like Facebook and Twitter. They used those tools to reunite a father and son.

"A parent who was in a hospital was communicating with a neighbor and giving us an update of what he was wearing, what he looks like and where he was last seen," Said Matt Lay of the Tulsa Fire Department.

Emily Baucum's Twitter Pics From Joplin, Missouri

Other Tulsa area agencies are being dispatched as well. The Tulsa Police Department has sent one disaster relief team, which consists of eight officers.

Ten officers from the Mayes County Sheriff's Office have been deployed to Joplin.

Thirty-five workers, including firefighters, were deployed as part of the Mayes County Emergency Management team.

Related Stories:

How To Help Joplin Residents Devastated By Sunday's Deadly Tornado
Joplin Tornado Survivor: 'I Believed I'd Die'
Rescue Efforts In Joplin Hampered By More Storms
A Third Of Joplin Gone After Tornado Ravages City
Deadly Joplin Tornado Sheds Light On Hospital Emergency Plans
What Would You Do If A Tornado Struck Your Home?
Joplin Family Search Home Where Grandmother Died In Tornado
SkyNews6 Shows Devastation Of Deadly Tornado In Joplin, Missouri
Volunteers Urged Not To 'Self Deploy' To Tornado-Ravaged Joplin, Missouri
Joplin Tornado Death Toll Reaches 118; Deadliest In US Since 1950
Lightning Strikes 2 Joplin Police Officers, 1 Critically Injured
Tulsa Rescue Team Helps Joplin Family Looking For Son
Joplin Tornado Survivor Describes How She Rode Out The Storm
Rescue Workers Find Dog Alive In Joplin Home's Rubble
President Obama To See Joplin Damage On Sunday, May 29th
Oklahoma Emergency Crews Respond To Joplin Devastation
WEB EXTRA: Scenes Of Joplin Damage By Storm Spotter

Keep checking here for new developments in this story, and News On 6 viewers can watch reporter Emily Baucum's report on News On 6 at 6 p.m.

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