Los Angeles City Fire Prepares to Depart for Japan Tonight

After northeast Japan's record-breaking 8.9 earthquake Thursday evening (Pacific standard time), the death toll has risen to 1,000 in the wake of aftershocks and a tsunami. 1,800 homes and counting have also been destroyed. The center of the quake was Lameng village.

President Barack Obama has deployed international aid, and addressed the American public saying that Thursday's "events remind us of just how fragile life can be. Our hearts go out to our friends in Japan and across the region and we're going to stand with them as they recover and rebuild from this tragedy."

The LA Times reported that Japan itself has 8,000 troops and 300 aircraft working evacuating civilians. China and the United Nations are standing by, ready to deploy help immediately.

Here in Los Angeles County, Los Angeles City Fire is preparing to depart early this evening with a team of 72 members as part of California Task Force 2, a urban search and rescue team. Individuals will be pulled from stations across Los Angeles, and could include firefighters from the Montrose Fire Station. The roster will be made public Saturday morning.

It's hard to watch the devastation in Asia without wanting to help. Donations to major international aid groups are one way. Save the Children is one group leading the response to the disaster. 

Click on this link to see a list of other international aid groups likely to respond.

Google has also created a person finder that people can use to help find the missing.