The County of Los Angeles Fire Department’s (LACoFD) California Task Force 2 Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) canine teams were honored for their recovery assistance after the wildfire in Maui, Hawaii on Wednesday, October 25, 2023.
LACoFD Acting Assistant Fire Chief Derrick Chapman, Fire Captain Celina Serrano and K9, Prentis, Fire Fighter Paramedic Nicholas Bartel and K9, Six, Fire Fighter Paramedic Edward Ruiz and K9, Harper, and Fire Fighter Jonathan Munguia and K9, Clifford, each were presented with a certificate of recognition from Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone and the Executive team.
“Your impressive skill set, and expertise are the reason you are considered the league of the best of the best and we cannot be prouder of each of you. When you received your activation orders, you quickly assembled, left your loved ones behind, and dedicated yourselves to accomplishing the mission,” said Chief Marrone as he addressed the team. “Thank you for caring for the people in Lahaina the same way you care about the residents and communities in the County of Los Angeles.”
Each of the dedicated team members played a major role in the ongoing recovery efforts in the historic resort town of Lahaina in early August 2023. The 13-day deployment ended on Friday, August 25, 2023.
The Department is proud to have team members who go above and beyond to uphold its core values (integrity, teamwork, caring, courage, commitment, and community).
