Over 100 technical rescue experts are flying to Nepal to assist local resources following the deadly 7.8 magnitude earthquake.
California Task Force 2, made up of Los Angeles County firefighters, and Virginia Task Force 1, comprised of Fairfax County firefighters, departed Sunday afternoon.
Members of Virginia Task Force 1 were already taking part in a full scale United States Agency for International Development exercise this week when they were notified, according to the fire department.
They loaded their equipment cache into aircraft at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.
- Podcast: A Look at the USAR Equipment Cache
"The team members are in good spirits and anxious to get in-country and get to work," Fairfax County Fire Chief Richie Bowers said in a statement. "Please keep the team members, their families and the people of Nepal in your thoughts and prayers!"
The team is expected to fly for about 12 hours before refueling.
- Podcast: Tactical Search Ops for USAR
CA-TF2 also department Sunday and they are expected to arrive in Kathmandu early Monday.
- Podcast: USAR Deployments to Haiti
