LA County search-and-rescue team is welcomed home after 11 days in Venezuela
PACOIMA, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Heroic Los Angeles County firefighters who assisted with search-and-rescue efforts in Venezuela returned home on Monday night after twin earthquakes left more than 3,500 people dead and thousands more unaccounted for.
The Urban Search and Rescue Task Force, also known as USA-2, was welcomed back by the Los Angeles County Fire Department after being deployed to Venezuela as part of the U.S. State Department’s international response. The group was one of four teams deployed by the department.
USA-2 spent 11 days in Venezuela, where they worked around the clock with their counterparts from Virginia and Miami. The crews performed search, rescue and recovery operations after the earthquakes hit the country nearly two weeks ago, sifting through the rubble in search of survivors.
Seventy-one members and six K-9 teams arrived back in Los Angeles on Monday night, where they were greeted with cheers, smiles, hugs and red, white and blue "Welcome home" signs from their friends and families.
SEE ALSO: Search and rescue K-9 teams from LA County Fire honored for their work in Venezuela recovery
"My last deployment was in Nepal after their earthquake in 2015, and this was nothing like that one," said Gerald Gonzales with USA-2. "This was way worse."
“These guys are so amazing, and they are selfless. They love to help, and as a family, we love for them to help,” said Maria Gonzales.
Another team member said the operation was beyond what he expected.
"You can't prepare for a natural disaster of that magnitude in a country that is already kind of struggling," said Arby Fields with USA-2. "We did the best we could, and we had a lot of experienced guys around to guide and help us younger guys. It was our first time out there. So that was good."
"This flag is a reminder that success in this profession isn't measured by only the lives we save, it also measures by the compassion we show and the dignity we give to those suffering unimaginable loss. It also shows that we do not quit. USA-2 never quits," Asst. Fire Chief Trey Espy with USA-2 said, holding a folded Venezuelan flag. “I could not be more proud to serve alongside you. You guys are the s---. You guys... you guys are good at what you do."
Search-and-rescue efforts are now winding down 13 days after the earthquakes. Authorities in Venezuela said the death toll has risen to more than 3,500 people, with close to 17,000 others injured.
There is no official count for people still missing, but independent agencies are reporting tens of thousands remain unaccounted for. More than 30,000 reports of missing people have been sent to a website set up by the Venezuelan opposition.
Frustration is growing over the government’s rescue efforts, with many people taking it upon themselves to search for missing family members.
In a post on social media, the Los Angeles County Fire Department said it will keep the Venezuelan people in its thoughts and prayers as they recover and rebuild.
