Home / Disasters and Accidents / LA County Rescue Team Rushes to Jamaica After Hurricane Melissa Destruction
LA County Rescue Team Rushes to Jamaica After Hurricane Melissa Destruction
31 Oct
Summary
- LA County Fire Department deploys 34-member USAR team to Jamaica
- Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, caused catastrophic damage in Jamaica
- K-9 Search Specialist ready to provide closure to families of victims
On October 31, 2025, the Los Angeles County Fire Department announced the deployment of a 34-member Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team to Jamaica in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. The powerful Category 5 hurricane, which made landfall in the island nation just last week, has been described as the most devastating storm to hit the region in 174 years of record-keeping.
The USAR team, which includes four search dogs, is bringing 42,000 pounds of specialized equipment and supplies to aid in the recovery efforts. They will join a similarly-sized team from Virginia in the search for survivors and the recovery of victims. K-9 Search Specialist JP Hilsabeck and his dog, Bond, are among the team members ready to provide closure to the families of those affected by the hurricane's destruction.
"Sometimes we might not be able to find too many people who are still alive because it's so much later in the game," Hilsabeck said. "But, it's about bringing that closure to the families, and that's what really matters."
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This deployment marks the LA County USAR team's second major international mission in the past two years, following their response to a deadly earthquake in Turkey in 2023.
