LOS ANGELES (CNS) - A Los Angeles County Urban Search and Rescue team was on standby today in case it is requested to aid local authorities in Mexico City following the devastating earthquake there.
The crew members have been preparing the tools and supplies that would be needed to help in the aftermath of a disaster.
The team of about 60 members includes firefighters and medical personnel, and their gear includes food and water and other supplies that would make them self-sufficient when deployed to disaster scenes.
The team was activated early this morning, meaning its members are staging and ready to go, awaiting official deployment orders, said county fire Inspector Joey Marron. The crews could also be deployed to Puerto Rico if needed for hurricane relief there.
Earlier this week, a 70-member team of Los Angeles Fire Department firefighters returned from a 24-day deployment to Texas and Florida, where they assisted in rescues and recovery following Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.