Photo: ADEM ALTAN/AFP/Getty Images
After the 7.8 magnitude earthquake killed more than 4,000 dead in Turkey and Syria, the Los Angeles County Fire Department urban search and rescue team is preparing to arrive in the region to help those in need.
On Monday, US President Joe Biden called Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday to express his condolences.
The White House in a statement said Biden stressed “the readiness of the United States to provide all necessary assistance” to his NATO ally Turkey.
#LACoFD USA-2 has been activated by @usaid and is deploying to the Turkey earthquake. The deployment team will consist of 81 personnel, 6 K9 teams, and 3 structural engineers. A press conference is scheduled for 5:00 pm at 12605 Osborne St. Pacoima CA 91331. pic.twitter.com/mAGRiz8n57
— LA County Fire Department (@LACoFDPIO) February 6, 2023
White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the administration Biden was sending two 79-person urban search and rescue teams to support Turkey’s efforts.
“The president authorized an immediate US response in addition to US personnel currently on the ground,” said White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. “
We are in the process of deploying additional teams to support Turkey’s search and rescue efforts and address the needs of those injured and displaced by the earthquakes.”
There are two search and rescue teams in the country that are qualified to be sent out of the country: Fairfax, Virginia and Los Angeles County.
The Los Angeles County team has extensive experience finding survivors and assisting with recovery efforts.both in the US and abroad.
In 2017, the team was sent to Mexico City to help with earthquake rescue efforts.
The team will work for the United States Agency for International Development, also known as USAID. The group deploys the only two search and rescue teams in the US.
Los Angeles County Firefighters will be part of the Disaster Assistance Response Team or DART. Once they are there, they will work with the Turkish government authorities to assess the damage and see what needs to be done.
The 78-member rescue team consists of rescue specialists, firefighters, paramedics, doctors, search dogs and structural engineers.. The six search dogs are trained to find people alive under the rubble – they can tell the difference between a dead person and a living person.
Read more:
Why the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria have been so deadly and devastating
28-year-old goalkeeper who played in Turkish football dies in earthquake
Joe Biden Mourns Loss of Life in Turkey, Syria Earthquake, Offers US Help