| 01-28-10 |
The Los Angeles County Fire Department is pleased to announce the return of its Urban Search and Rescue team, California Task Force 2, to Los Angeles. The team completes a 14-day deployment to Haiti where they assisted USAID with rescue and recovery efforts following the 7.0 magnitude earthquake.
The 72-member team is expected to arrive, by bus, at our Pacoima facility, at approximately 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 28. A press conference will follow shortly thereafter.
Family members and the Fire Department eagerly await the task force’s return. |
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01-25-10 |
Los Angeles County Urban Search and Rescue Team (USA-2), working in direct support of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is continuing to conduct field operations.
Structural engineers are currently inspecting surrounding critical infrastructure and essential facilities in and around Port-au-Prince to possibly allow for the re-occupation of structurally safe buildings. Team members from USA-2 are assisting with the assembling of large tents to be used for humanitarian assistance purposes.
It is anticipated that USA-2 will be arriving back in Los Angeles later this week. Updates will be provided as they become available. |
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01-23-10 |
January 23, 2010, 1710 hr (EST) –The Los Angeles County Urban Search and Rescue Team (USA-2), as part of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), has extricated a 24-year old man from the Hotel Napoli Inn.
As part of a joint rescue attempt with the Virginia and French Urban Search and Rescue teams, USA-2 assisted with the removal a man trapped nearly 12 days. The victim appeared to be in good condition with no significant injuries. Updates will be provided as they become available.
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For breaking news about the team follow the Twitter Update
Video will be added as soon as it become available. |
01-22-10 |
January 22, 2010, Haiti’s government officially called off the search for survivors of the massive earthquake that devastated the city of Port-au-Prince. Since that time, rescue teams have shifted gears from rescue operations to supporting relief activities.
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01-21-10 |
RESCUE EFFORTS CONTINUE
PORT-AU- PRINCE – January 21, 2010, 1520 hr (EST) –Ten days have passed since the 7.0 magnitude earthquake rocked the island of Haiti on Tuesday, January 12, 2010. Rescue teams have continued their valiant efforts despite fatigue and working around the clock almost non-stop.
Today, the Los Angeles County Urban Search and Rescue Teams (USA-2) are continuing to perform recon and rescue efforts. Recent reports of a trapped young victim are currently being investigated.
Yesterday, the Columbian Urban Search and Rescue Team engaged in the successful rescue of a young child. Interestingly enough, this team was trained by some of the current members of the USA-2 team. Over the last few years, the Columbian team has participated in various training sessions with USA-2 which provided them with assistance in developing crucial skills needed in these types of rescue missions.
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For breaking news about the team follow the Twitter Update
Visit our video page to see rescue footage. |
01-20-10 |
LARGE AFTERSHOCK HITS PORT-AU-PRINCE at 06:03 (EST)
A 6.1 magnitude aftershock occurred 35 miles west southwest of Port-au-Prince. There were no reports of major damage to the Los Angeles County Urban Search and Rescue Team’s (USA-2) Base of Operations. In addition, all team members are well and accounted for.
Immediately following the aftershock, USA-2 initiated reconnaissance in the surrounding areas. No major structural damages were found. The team will renew rescue operations this morning. Updates will be provided as they become available. |
For breaking news about the team follow the Twitter Update |
01-19-10 |
LACoFD CA-TF2 (USA-2), performed general reconnaissance missions around the site of a collapsed market and in Sector 15, the southern area of the city. The canine units are being continuously used to survey surrounding areas and structures.
USA-2 reports no major threats to security, any illness or injuries. Reports also indicate that the local population continues to maintain a friendly and appreciative demeanor towards team members. |
For breaking news about the team follow the Twitter Update |
01-18-10 |
At 0700 HRS (Port-au-Prince time) this morning, and after working exhaustively throughout the night, USA-2 Blue Squad was able to gain access to and rescue a female victim that had been trapped beneath the reported collapsed 3-story building.This 31 year-old victim was found pinned to her mattress, beneath her apartment complex, with minimal initial apparent injuries. The victim was transported to an Israeli hospital.
This 3-story apartment complex had been the site that USA-2 Blue Squad was engaged upon last night and from which they were also able to rescue two sisters (19 and 20 years-old) prior to this last 31 year-old victim...
This morning, USA-2 members report being in very high spirits with no injuries or illness to report. Both Squads had the opportunity to rest briefly and are currently out performing reconnaissance in Sector 8 (the area around the Presidential Palace).
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For breaking Info about the Team and rescue updates, follow us on Twitter.
NBC News Coverage of a Rescue |
01-17-10 |
-Afternoon update-At 1230 (EST), the California Task Force 2 (CA-TF2) was flagged down by a member of the UN stating that he had located a 30-year female that was trapped from the waist down. Blue Squad members quickly responded to the site of a three-story pancake collapsed building. For the next four hours, the team concentrated their efforts and engaged in the removal of massive concrete slabs and breached through substantial layers of debris until they were able to free the victim. Although she suffered multiple injuries, she was awake and talking and subsequently taken to a local hospital.
-Evening Update(2100HRS)- The rescue of a 50/F from a 2 story bank. She was very dehydrated on removal but only slightly harmed with injuries to her hands. The Red rescue squads completed this rescue and then returned to base for rehab. The final rescue, one that continues at this time, involves a 26/F trapped in a collapsed 3 story building. The Blue rescue and recon teams are on scene and are working their way through this challenging rescue. |
Updates on CA-TF2’s activities can be followed via:
Twitter or
Facebook |
01-16-10 |
Afternoon update- USA-2 (LACoFD CA-TF2 Team) is currently attempting to locate victims at a collapsed two-story dwelling site that is being impacted by an adjacent collapsed seven-story masonry building...
Search canine “Cadillac” showed interest to his handler then later audible tapping was confirmed as well as verbal communication.
-Evening Update (2200 HRS)- USA-2 Blue Squad was unable to affect a successful rescue at the day care site. Tomorrow morning after briefing at 0700 HRS, the team will return to their assigned sector for ongoing search and rescue activities. |
Click Here follow the rescue on Twitter.
Day-Care rescue attempt- Video from CNN.com |
01-15-10 |
Attempting to free 3 trapped victims (for the latest follow us on twitter) |
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01-14-10 |
Arriving in Haiti. |
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01-13-10 |
CA-TF2 getting ready for deployment. |
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