Thank you to the bystander who heard her calls for help. Your #LAFD with an early morning Confined Space operation to rescue an adult female who fell through a manhole into a drainage. These types of technical rescues are less frequent but require continuous training due to the level of expertise, teamwork and communication required. The Urban Search and Rescue task force members must be re-certified each year in this specific skill. Fortunately, the patient's injuries did not appear to be life-

The County of Los Angeles Fire Department’s Urban Search and Rescue team, known internationally as USA-2 has been activated by the U.S. Department of State to respond to Jamaica in wake of Hurricane Melissa. USA-2 is comprised of 34 members, 4 canines and 42,000 pounds of equipment. They are joining the Fairfax County Fire Department’s USAR team, USA-1, to provide search, rescue and recovery assistance. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all affected by the devastation left by Hurricane Melissa.