LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The Los Angeles Fire Department is adding a new member to the team - but it's not human.
It's the Thermite RS3, the first robotic firefighting device in the United States.
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The robot can perform multiple functions, especially at commercial and industrial fire incidents, where it can help protect firefighters from a building collapse or other dangerous situations.
The RS3 was donated by the LAFD Foundation. It will be assigned to a downtown fire station as part of an Urban Search and Rescue team.
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LAFD Chief Ralph Terrazas and City Councilmember Monica Rodriguez joined together at the Frank Hotchkin Memorial Training Center in Elysian Park for a demonstration of the RS3's capabilities on Tuesday.