Despite the fact that Washington USAR Task Force 1 wasn't deployed to Haiti, one of Bellevue's Firefighter/Paramedics was deployed there. Firefighter/Paramedic Cynthia Thomas deployed as part of an emergency surgical team known as an "IMSURT" unit. Cynthia worked as one of the medics attached to this unit caring for the victims of the catastrophic Haitian earthquake. Medical teams are in severe need in the stricken island nation. Cynthia describved conditions as unbelievable as the team worked on countless victims, many of whom were severely injured. A number of firefighters covered her shifts while she was gone. The Bellevue Firefighters also have a number of members serving with Washington USAR Task Force 1, but as noted earlier in the article, that team was not deployed to Haiti, and instead held in reserve with a number of other USAR Task Forces across the nation. Firefighter/Paramedic Cynthia Thomas is at left in the picture. We're glad she's back safely and very proud of her service.