CATF-2 #USAR Team Returns from #Japan Today

Saturday, March 19, 2011

CATF-2 #USAR Team Returns from #Japan Today

California Task Force 2 Members Returning From Japan

LOS ANGELES – March 18, 2011 – The 74-member California Task Force 2 (CA-TF2) heavy rescue team deployed on March 12 to assist the United States Agency for International Development’s Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA) with rescue and recovery efforts in Japan following its 9.0 magnitude earthquake and tsunami, and are returning to Los Angeles this afternoon.

They are expected to arrive into LAX at approximately 4:00 p.m. Saturday, March 19th.

(Note: Team members will not be available to do any media interviews at LAX, but will be available for interviews at our Pacoima facility, see below)
“The team spent six days in Japan searching for victims in the Ofunato and Kamaishi City areas, and has completed its mission,” says Fire Chief Daryl L. Osby.

Once the team arrives and clears U.S. Customs at Los Angeles International Airport, members will be transported directly to the Los Angeles County Fire Department’s Urban Search and Rescue facility, located at 12605 Osborne Street in Pacoima, to awaiting family members and will be available for brief interviews.

The expected time of arrival at the Pacoima facility is anywhere from 5:30 p.m to 6:30 p.m. depending on the time required to go through customs.

For more information: Call Fire Captain Mark Savage at (213) 247-7014 or the Public Information Office at (323) 881-2413.

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Saturday, March 19, 2011