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PACOIMA, LOS ANGELES () — A Los Angeles County urban search and rescue team is heading to Venezuela to assist in the aftermath of two powerful earthquakes that have killed around 235 people, injured at least 4,300 and left hundreds trapped beneath rubble.
The highly trained team, known as USA-2, departed from its Pacoima headquarters Thursday afternoon and headed to the disaster zone after being activated as part of an international response led by the U.S. Department of State.
The deployment follows the 7.2- and 7.5-magnitude earthquakes that struck the center of Venezuela Wednesday evening, causing widespread destruction.
The quakes are among the strongest in Venezuela in more than a century and were felt throughout the region.
The LA County team includes 71 members, six canine teams and approximately 84,000 pounds of equipment, all loaded onto large trucks ahead of their departure.
The team will join another U.S.-based unit, USA-1 from the Fairfax County Fire Department in Virginia, to provide search, rescue and recovery support on the ground.
Officials say the mission will focus on locating and rescuing survivors trapped in collapsed structures – a scenario the team is specifically trained to handle.
Captain Aaron Katon of the LA County Fire Department said crews are preparing for challenging conditions, including limited resources and uncertain infrastructure.
“The first thing we’re expecting is a lower level of resources and we don’t know what state those resources are in after the earthquake,” Katon said.
Images from Venezuela show extensive damage, including a severely impacted hospital where patients have been evacuated and left outside as buildings remain unsafe.
“We’re really going in expecting the unexpected but ready to do the job we do every day,” Katon said.
He added that they anticipate a lot of different challenges.
“Every time we go, whether it is to a local emergency or something overseas, we’re always anticipating a lot of difficulty,” Katon said. “In the developing countries, what we see, first off, are the things that you would expect in terms of lack of local resources.”
Katon said the team will remain in Venezuela for as long as needed.
US ‘surging’ military assets to assist in Venezuela
U.S. Southern Command said it is “surging” military forces in the region to assist in earthquake relief efforts.
Two U.S. Navy ships and aircraft in the Caribbean have been assigned to support the U.S. quake relief operations in Venezuela that are being led by the State Department, the command said.
The amphibious ships USS Fort Lauderdale and the littoral combat ships USS Billings are being moved closer to Venezuela to provide assistance.
In addition, transport aircraft and helicopters are being sent.
“These forces will provide specialized mobility services and support to U.S. government personnel, search and rescue teams, and U.S. interagency partners as they assess damage, locate the injured, and deliver critical, life-saving assistance,” SOUTHCOM said in a statement.
News’ Luis Martinez contributed to this report.
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