I met up with a PMI search and rescue team today. We went to the site of a collapsed 3-storey building where crews were again working, for the fourth straight day, on finding a person buried beneath the rubble. Dozens of people gathered around, silently watching the very delicate work. The big claw of the heavy piece of equipment ripped away large pieces of debris, when rescue crews suddenly yelled “stop”. They had found her. A young woman estimated to be in her mid-20’s. Digging with their hands and small shovels, rescue crews, including volunteers from PMI, gently removed this earthquake victim and returned her to her family.

She was one of 28 people pulled from the wreckage at this site alone.

I ask the PMI volunteers why they want to be part of the search and rescue team. They tell me how happy they are when they pull someone alive from the debris. Even when a body is retrieved, they at least feel they are helping to provide some closure to the victim’s family.

The site itself is quiet now. The crowds that had gathered to watch are gone. The heavy equipment moved to another location. The rescue crews head back to their base to await their marching orders. There is little doubt they will again be pressed into action.