A Los Angeles County Urban Search and Rescue team was activated this week and is in Mexico City today to aid local authorities following the devastating earthquake there that has killed at least 220 people, with more feared dead in the rubble.
The crew members had been preparing the tools and supplies needed to help in the aftermath of the disaster.
The team of about 60 members includes firefighters and medical personnel, and their gear includes food and water and other supplies that would make them self-sufficient when deployed to disaster scenes.
The team was activated early Wednesday, and were deployed from March Air Reserve Base in Riverside County, said Los Angeles County Fire Department Inspector Joey Marron.
The crews could also be deployed to Puerto Rico if needed for hurricane relief there.
Earlier this week, a 70-member team of Los Angeles Fire Department firefighters returned from a 24-day deployment to Texas and Florida, where they assisted in rescues and recovery following Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.
