Five Palm Beach County firefighters have returned home after an eight-day mission in Venezuela, where they helped with search and rescue efforts following two devastating earthquakes that killed more than 3,800 people and displaced 18,000.
Venezuela Earthquakes
The team, part of Florida Task Force 2, worked in La Guaira, the hardest-hit area, searching for survivors trapped in the rubble. The area itself was devastated, with not a building untouched and most high-rises beyond repair.
The crew worked tirelessly, often digging by hand, to rescue survivors. One of their most challenging efforts involved saving a security guard who had been trapped for more than a week. After two and a half days of digging, the team successfully pulled the man from the rubble alive.
While the crew worked on the ground, K-9 rescue specialist Alex Parada and his dog, Piper, searched for signs of life. The dogs are lighter and more agile, allowing them to traverse the rubble and locate potential victims using their nose.
The firefighters spent most of their deployment in La Guaira, dedicating their efforts to the hardest-hit area. Their mission was a testament to the bravery and dedication of the team, who worked tirelessly to save lives in the aftermath of the devastating earthquakes.
Original reporting: WPBF West Palm Beach — read the source article.
