LA County Fire Suits Up Again for Disaster Relief in Japan

Just 24 hours after returning from a rescue and recovery trip to Christchurch, New Zealand, the Los Angeles County Fire Department's Task Force 2 will suit up again to assist with government rescue efforts in Japan after an 8.9 magnitude earthquake struck the island nation.

According to L.A. County Fire officials, the task force received a request to provide assistance Friday morning from the United States Agency for International Development Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA) to help the Japanese government with recovery after the worst earthquake the country has experienced in 140 years.

The quake, which occurred at 2:46 p.m. Friday Japan time, is the fifth largest earthquake recorded in human history.

The Task Force has over 140 trained members, with a new 72-74 member Heavy Rescue Team, a Swiftwater component, and will leave for Japan Friday evening to arrive early Sunday morning Japan time.

The entire team includes firefighters, paramedics, emergency room physicians, structural engineers, heavy equipment specialists, hazardous materials technicians, and communications and logistics specialists.

Effects of the earthquake area also being felt along California shores with beach closures in anticipation of strong waves and currents, although flooding and evacuation measures are not expected in California.

For more about how you can help with disaster relief, see our related story.