L.A. rescuers readying for possible deployment to Chile earthquake scene

A specialized rescue task force from Los Angeles was preparing Monday afternoon for possible deployment to earthquake-ravaged Chile.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department's heavy-rescue task force includes 74 firefighters, paramedics, structural engineers, emergency-room physicians and other experts trained in finding and rescuing victims from collapsed structures and buildings. The team was assembling at a staging area in Pacoima, the Fire Department said.

The department said the same task force was sent to Haiti, where it helped rescue victims in the aftermath of the deadly temblor that struck the Caribbean island nation in January.

The task force is a self-contained rescue unit that responds to disasters with 70,000 pounds of sophisticated search-and-rescue devices and medical equipment.

The magnitude 8.8 quake in Chile left more than 700 people dead and caused widespread damage throughout the nation.

-- Robert J. Lopez

Comments

[dPreacher]

Why would rescuers not be called for and on their way immediately already, like days ago. People have been trapped under rubble dying a hopeless slow agonizing death for days. This delay doesn't make any, any sense at all. Don't both going. It's too late, too late, tooo late. So sad. Somebody please explain.

[dPreacher]

Don't bother going now, "rescuers". Every hour counted. Too many have passed. If you were trapped under the rubble waiting for our experts and rescue dogs etc, you would pray they would be there immediately. Not waiting for an invitation days later. I know the Chileans are supposed to have some good rescuers, but surely they cannot have enough. Have they not called for outside help? Now the only people who will be extracted from the rubble will be those few 'miracle' cases. Why has this delay happened. Please explain.