Fairfax County Rescue Team Dispatched to Colombia After Major Earthquake
A 10-person team from Fairfax County's Urban Search and Rescue has been sent to western Colombia to assist with disaster coordination and structural engineering assessment following a 7.4 magnitude earthquake.
Washington, DC, August 12, 2026 —
A specialized 10-person team from Fairfax County’s Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) has been deployed to western Colombia in response to a significant earthquake.
The team’s mission is to provide critical assistance with disaster coordination and conduct structural engineering assessments in the aftermath of a 7.4 magnitude earthquake that struck the region. The deployment signifies an international effort to support recovery and stabilization operations in an area heavily impacted by the seismic event.
The Fairfax County USAR team is trained and equipped to handle complex disaster scenarios, including urban search and rescue operations, but their role in Colombia will focus on the coordination of relief efforts and evaluating the safety and integrity of structures damaged by the earthquake. This assessment is crucial for determining safe zones for rescue operations, humanitarian aid distribution, and for residents seeking shelter.
The specific duration of the deployment and the full scope of the team’s activities in Colombia were not immediately detailed. However, their presence underscores the global cooperation in disaster response and the specialized expertise that Fairfax County’s USAR unit can offer in critical situations.
Story summarized from the original created by Sam.Kosmas@fox.com (Sam Kosmas) on www.fox5dc.com, see more information here.
