An urban search and rescue team from the Los Angeles County Fire Department returned home Thursday after spending a week helping with rescue efforts in Colombia.
“I got a wife and two kids to come home to, so I am very excited to see my son and daughter,” LA County Fire Capt. Russell Petit said.
About 300 people were killed when a 7.4 magnitude earthquake hit Colombia on Aug. 10. More than 400 people are still missing.
Members of the team, also known as USA-2, said their seven-day mission was to help coordinate and support the people of Colombia. The team is one of two international search and rescue teams in the United States.
“Overall, it’s important for the U.S. to have that partnership and share that solidarity amongst nations,” Ulises Estrada with LA County Fire said. “And when able to help, it should be something that, if possible, we could support and strengthen.”
This is the second time USA-2 has been deployed this year. They were sent to Venezuela in June. Both times, they dealt with tough conditions.
LA County firefighters and K-9s who were deployed to Venezuela following two deadly earthquakes have returned home. Darsha Philips reports for the NBC4 News at 11 p.m. on Monday, July 6, 2026.
“Obviously, difficult circumstances that they’re working under, with a lot of heat and humidity, and they’re really exerting themselves every day for hours on end,” team physician Saman Kashani said.
While they’re all exhausted and happy to be home, they’re ready and willing to deploy the second they are needed.
“They really are the best of the best,” LA County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said. “They gladly leave their family and their friends to go internationally to represent the U.S., the LA County Fire Department, and make meaningful rescues of people that are trapped in rubble.”