Two urban search and rescue teams are on the way to Venezuela following two powerful earthquakes.

Teams from Los Angeles County and Fairfax County, VA, worked quickly to  gather and pack supplies since they got word they were being deployed to assist with the search and recovery efforts.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told WJLA that Fairfax County's Urban Search and Rescue team would be one of the first American units sent to the disaster zone.

"The most immediate need right now is search and rescue effort. They have a bunch of collapsed buildings and so they'll need a lot of help in terms of digging through that."

The quakes, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, hit a minute apart on Wednesday night, reports indicated, adding that the death toll is about 600 as of Friday.

In a statement posted on its Facebook page, a Virginia Task Force 1 official wrote: "Members of USA-01 are en route to Venezuela following the devastating earthquakes, deploying 79 Urban Search and Rescue personnel, six K9 teams, and more than 70,000 pounds of specialized rescue and medical equipment. We are honored to represent the United States in this mission, bringing our expertise, compassion, and unwavering dedication to support those affected."

In Los Angeles County, its team consists of 71 personnel, six canine teams and 84,000 pounds of specialized rescue equipment.

Fire Chief Anthony Marrone told CBS: "We're no strangers to earthquakes here in Los Angeles County, and we have to be prepared. Having this international search and rescue team and members with this experience is going to help us when we suffer our own earthquakes."

The state department has asked both teams to stay as long as necessary.