A Los Angeles County Fire Department Urban Search and Rescue team began preparing care packages and first aid bags Friday at its headquarters in Pacoima to help in the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
Inspector Fredrick Stowers talks about the fire department's preparations before leaving to aid in Japan's rescue efforts. (Video by Hibah Samad)
The team, Task Force 2, said it will fly out of the Los Angeles International Airport late Friday afternoon.
The USAR team of 75 draws from over 140 members trained for disaster assistance that recently returned from helping during the New Zealand quake last month.
“We are putting together relief teams, as well as supplies, and are in contact with partners in Japan and other affected countries to assess needs and coordinate our activities,” Nancy Aossey, president and CEO of the International Medical Corps, said.
“While Japan has a large capacity to manage a disaster of this scale, we will respond as needed,” Aossey said.
IMC said it has responded to emergencies in more than 50 countries, including the 2010 Haiti earthquake and the Tsunami in Indonesia in 2004.
The Red Cross also set up a fund on their website to donate to their relief efforts.
Firefighters, paramedics, emergency room physicians, structural engineers, heavy equipment specialists, hazardous materials technicians, communications specialists and logistic specialists make up the USAR.
