Public Safety
LA County rescue specialists deploy to Panama after powerful earthquakes
Ten Los Angeles County Fire Department search-and-rescue specialists were activated by the U.S. Department of State after two major earthquakes struck Panama.
A 10-member technical support group from the Los Angeles County Fire Department’s USA-02 international urban search-and-rescue team deployed to Panama, NBC Los Angeles reported. The department said it was the team’s third international deployment of 2026.
Team: L.A. County Fire USA-02
Deployment: 10-member technical support group
Destination: Panama
Response follows strong earthquakes and aftershocks
The Associated Press reported that Panama declared a state of emergency Saturday after earthquakes measured at magnitudes 7.7 and 6.6. Buildings were damaged or collapsed, evacuations were ordered and aftershocks continued.
The full 79-member heavy rescue team was also notified that it could be deployed, NBC Los Angeles reported, but no broader deployment had been confirmed at publication time.
Sources: NBC Los Angeles original report → · Associated Press earthquake report →