DELRAY BEACH, FL — Two Delray Beach Fire Rescue captains are on their way to Venezuela.
Captain Chris Abaldo and Captain Joey Cafone are among roughly 80 personnel deploying with Florida Task Force 2 to support international rescue operations following earthquakes in Venezuela, according to a Delray Beach Fire Rescue Facebook post.
The U.S. Department of State activated the task force late the night before the team's departure, the post said. The unit left the next morning on what Delray Beach Fire Rescue described as a critical lifesaving mission.
According to the post, the deployment is focused on locating survivors, providing technical rescue assistance, and supporting humanitarian relief efforts.
Delray Beach Fire Rescue said it is "especially proud" that Abaldo and Cafone are among those deploying. The post did not specify the roles the two captains will hold on the ground.
The agency described the earthquakes in Venezuela as devastating but did not provide details about the magnitude, location, or casualty figures.
Members of Florida Task Force 1 are also part of the broader response, the post said. Delray Beach Fire Rescue asked the public to keep Abaldo, Cafone, members of both task forces, and the people of Venezuela in their thoughts.
The post did not identify other Palm Beach County or South Florida firefighters who may be deploying as part of the mission. The agency also did not provide an expected return date.
The post included photos showing personnel in tactical gear, a U.S. Air Force aircraft on a tarmac, and a close-up of two firefighters in uniform.
What remains unavailable from the source material includes the specific area of Venezuela where the team will operate, the duration of the deployment, the command structure for the mission, the names of any other Florida firefighters on the deployment, and direct comment from Abaldo or Cafone.
Delray Beach Fire Rescue has not announced when it will provide further updates on the captains or the mission.
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