Los Angeles Rapid Response Team conducts community outreach

On Sunday, Nov. 1, members of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Los Angeles Rapid Response Team (RRT) and the Mobile Command Center (MCC) participated in the inaugural Prepared Peninsula Expo at the Norris Pavilion in Palos Verdes, California.   The HSI Los Angeles RRT was among several law enforcement agencies represented at the expo, which attracted approximately 400 people.

The event was aimed at educating attendees on emergency preparedness and how to be disaster ready.

According to David Pike, HSI Long Beach Special Agent and RRT Executive Officer, the RRT’s exhibition area consisted of several detailed demonstrations showcasing the proper use of breaching equipment for search and rescue, including door and wall breaches.  The team also provided presentations on water purification and filtration, and conducted medical simulations to inform attendees on the proper way to administer first aid.

However, the highlight of the demo was a simulation of an emergency response to a hiker who had fallen down a hill and broken his leg.  Members of the RRT set up a raising system to haul the injured and team medic up the steep hill.

“From both the public and from the state and local agencies, attendees were very impressed with the team’s readiness and equipment,” Reynolds said.  “We were the hit of the expo. They weren’t expecting the fully interactive demos that we brought there.”

While the RRT was able to educate the public about disaster preparedness, it also used the platform to inform attendees about HSI and its mission.

In an area where natural disasters such as earthquakes, wildfires and floods are a constant threat, those in the community now know that in addition to other local law enforcement agencies and emergency medical services, the HSI RRT is another resource with a role in disaster response and is deeply ingrained with overall emergency response efforts in the Los Angeles area.

“Whenever you go out on an outreach [event], you have to educate people on the structure of the government.  We are just trying to get the word out that we are a team that is available to assist.  We are the ultimate jack-of-all-trades team,” Reynolds said.  “The people in this community just want to feel better and know that there are organizations at all levels that are there, prepared and willing to make sacrifices to assist the community that they live in.”

The primary mission of the HSI RRT program is to rapidly deploy during natural and manmade disasters, as well as emergency situations, when other federal, local or state agencies request ICE assistance. They are operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week and are always prepared to deploy to an affected area within 12 to 24 hours.