Local firefighters prepare for the next major earthquake in “Disaster City”

As the world watches the number of deaths in Turkey from devastating earthquakes rise, local firefighters are training to make sure they are prepared to respond to a similar disaster.

Crews from all over Southern California gathered at a training center in Sherman Oaks, dubbed “Disaster City”, to learn how to search for victims trapped under the rubble brought by the earthquake.

These teams of firefighters, equipped with listening devices and cameras, methodically searched every wall and building for hours on Thursday.

“We have people stuck in buildings and we need to use fangs, cameras and listening devices to find these people and get them out in a timely manner,” said Oxnard fire captain John Sesena.

Fire departments such as Pasadena and Monterey Park participated in this week-long search and rescue course at the Los Angeles Fire Department’s John Rudy Memorial Training Center. Firefighters such as Tai Trinh said they would like to help those trapped under rubble in Turkey.

“It’s devastating,” he said. “We feel bad being here without being able to be deployed.”

During the exercise, instructors placed hidden golf balls and speakers representing the victims. The trainees used their equipment to hear a faint knock inside the container or someone crying.

“They hone their search skills to the level of a golf ball, believing that when they are looking for people, it will be an easier task,” Sesena said.

LAFD Battalion Commander Craig White has been in the worst natural disasters like the Northridge earthquake and knows the importance of always being prepared.

“Unfortunately, the question is not if, but when,” he said. “We do not know. We want to be ready.”

While LAFD responds to natural disasters locally and nationwide, only two teams in the United States will respond to international emergencies. The Los Angeles County Fire Department is currently in Turkey helping rescue efforts.

As of 4:00 pm on February 9, the death toll from the quake had surpassed 20,000.