Burnaby Urban Search and Rescue team assists with Venezuela earthquake response

Members of the Burnaby Urban Search and Rescue team went to Venezuela to assist with emergency response efforts after devastating earthquakes hit the country. (Burnaby USAR)

Members of Burnaby’s Urban Search and Rescue team have spent the past several days assisting with earthquake response efforts in Venezuela.

The team, made up of four firefighters, two police officers, one paramedic and search dogs Pele and Reuben, is working in an area north of Caracas, where two major earthquakes struck last Wednesday.

“We’ve been working all day and into the evening trying to find people trapped in the rubble,” team member Ryan Berry told CTV News.

Berry was also part of the group that assisted with rescue efforts following the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria in 2023.

Berry said efforts have largely shifted from rescue to recovery missions, but people are still being found alive.

“We’re trying to stay positive,” said Berry.

“Doing our best to try and locate everybody we can and either help those that are trapped or bringing closure to those waiting to hear about loved ones,” he said.

Berry said Wednesday will be the team’s final day in Venezuela before members begin their journey back to British Columbia.