The Los Angeles County Fire Department’s international urban search and rescue team has rescued a trapped victim while deployed in Venezuela following two powerful earthquakes that struck the country in late June.
The team, known internationally as USA-2, was activated by the U.S. Department of State after magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes hit central Venezuela. The deployment included 71 personnel, six canine teams and approximately 84,000 pounds of specialized rescue equipment.
USA-2 joined the Fairfax County Fire Department’s international urban search and rescue team, USA-1, as part of the international response. Crews have been conducting around-the-clock search, rescue and recovery operations across multiple collapsed structures.
Specialist canine teams have played a key role in the operation, using scent detection training to locate living victims amid noise, debris and unstable rubble.
When a dog indicates a potential find, rescue personnel move in to breach concrete, steel and other debris so trapped people can be reached as quickly and safely as possible.
Following an intensive operation, LACoFD USA-2, FL-TF2 and CHI-01 teams rescued and carried one trapped victim to safety. Officials said the rescue highlighted the importance of coordination, technical rescue training and canine search capability during large-scale disaster response.
