Media Release
The County of Los Angeles Fire Department’s (LACoFD) international urban search and rescue (USAR) team, known as USA-2, has been activated by the U.S. Department of State to respond to Jamaica in the wake of Hurricane Melissa.
USA-2 is scheduled to depart from LAX today at 10:00 p.m. (PT).
On October 28, 2025, Hurricane Melissa, a catastrophic Category 5 storm, made landfall over New Hope, Jamaica, with wind speeds of 185 miles per hour. The storm has caused widespread damage, hospital evacuations, and flooding across the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, Cuba, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
USA-2 is comprised of 34 members, four canines, and includes 42,000 pounds of equipment. This specialized team is set to play a crucial role as they join the Fairfax County Fire Department’s international USAR team, known as USA-1, which has also been activated as part of a rapid assessment effort. USA-1 includes a similar 34-member team, four canines, and 40,000 pounds of equipment.
Daily communication will be maintained with the U.S. Department of State and both USA-1 and USA-2 throughout their deployment. This coordinated effort highlights the critical role of emergency response teams in providing assistance during natural disasters.