In a report issued by Battalion Chief Anthony J. Bagan, California Regional Task Force 4 has been deployed to assist with search and rescue efforts after mudslides hit areas of Santa Barbara County that were ravaged by the Thomas Fire in December.
‘Regional Task Force 4’ (RTF-4) was sent to the area with six Pasadena firefighters and one Urban Search and Rescue team member. Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) involves the location, rescue (extrication), and initial medical stabilization of victims trapped in confined spaces.
Seventeen people died, 100 homes were destroyed, and another 300 were damaged as floodwaters and mudslides hit the area. Officials have reduced the number of missing in the mudslides to eight as of Thursday morning.