CA-TF2 - mobilized for deployment to New Zealand #EqNz

CA-TF2 - CALIFORNIA TASK FORCE 2 mobilizes to AID NEW ZEALAND EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS

LOS ANGELES – February 22, 2011 – California Task Force 2 (CA-TF2), Los Angeles County Fire’s world-class Heavy Rescue Task Force, has been mobilized for deployment to New Zealand to help rescue and recover victims in Christchurch, the nation’s second largest city of nearly 400,000 residents, following a powerful 6.3 magnitude earthquake just before 1 p.m. local time that has killed 65 people.

Commanders of the 74-member team received the request from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and are currently staging at the Department’s USAR Facility in Pacoima.

California Task Force 2 (CA-TF2) is a specially-trained and equipped Urban Search and Rescue Task Force consisting of Los Angeles County Fire Department firefighters and paramedics rescue specialists, emergency room physicians, structural engineers, heavy equipment specialists, hazardous materials technicians, communications specialists, and logistics specialists.

This unique technical rescue team responds with 55,000 pounds of prepackaged search and rescue tools and medical equipment to conduct around-the-clock search and rescue operations at domestic and international disasters, both natural and man-made.
-----------------------------------
Update: 2-24 11:50hrs CA-TF2 #USAR Team has arrived safely in New Zealand Now setting up the Base of Operations (B.O.O) #CAFire #EQNz
Update: 2-23 02:22hrs CA-TF2 USAR has departed LAX enroute to #NewZealand. Estimated flight time of 13 hours on flight UAL9797 http://ow.ly/42ice #eqnz #LACoFD
Update: 2-23 0800hrs CA-TF2 Team of 66+ members caravaned to LAX last night where they are waiting… http://goo.gl/fb/3np3a #CAFire

-----------------------------------

For more information:
visit the Department’s website at www.fire.lacounty.gov.
or Contact: LACoFD Public Affairs (323) 881-2411