• October 18, 2024

Hurricanes Helene and Milton – K-9 Human Remains Detection Teams and California Task Force 2 Teams Deployed

On Thursday, October 3, 2024, the County of Los Angeles Fire Department’s (LACoFD’s) K-9 Human Remains Detection (HRD) teams were activated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to respond to the devastation of Hurricane Helene that impacted the Southeastern United States.

Hurricanes Helene and Milton – K-9 Human Remains Detection Teams and California Task Force 2 Teams Deployed

Hurricanes Helene and Milton – K-9 Human Remains Detection Teams and California Task Force 2 Teams Deployed 1024 758 LACoFD Communications Section

On Thursday, October 3, 2024, the County of Los Angeles Fire Department’s (LACoFD’s) K-9 Human Remains Detection (HRD) teams were activated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to respond to the devastation of Hurricane Helene that impacted the Southeastern United States.

FEMA requested the LACoFD’s HRD Teams which consisted of the following personnel:

• Search Team Manager Fire Captain Jason Vasquez
• Fire Captain Celina Serrano with K-9 Prentiss
• Fire Fighter Paramedic Nicholas Bartel with K-9 Six
• Fire Fighter Paramedic Jonathan Mungia with K-9 Clifford

Additionally, Deputy Chief Robert Harris was also deployed to Asheville on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, to assist in a command staff position.

On Saturday, October 5, 2024, the LACoFD’s California Task Force 2 (CA-TF2), Urban Search and Rescue (USAR), 45-member Type III team was activated by FEMA to assist with the response to Hurricane Milton, that impacted Florida’s east coast. An initial group of 28 personnel deployed at 5:00 a.m., on Sunday, October 6, 2024, driving across the country to Pensacola, Florida. The remaining 17 personnel flew to Pensacola, Florida, on October 8 where they remain staged until they were deployed by FEMA into the impacted areas.

CA-TF2 members safely returned home on Thursday, October 17, 2024. HRD teams are expected to return home on Saturday, October 19, 2024.

The LACoFD would like to commend CA-TF2 members for their dedication and strong work ethic. The team went to work immediately, functioning seamlessly with fellow first responders and FEMA Task Forces to assist residents and communities impacted by Hurricane Milton.

Welcome home, and job, above and beyond, well done!

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