With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
Meet RS-3, The Newest Rookie On The LA Fire Department
RS-3 is a firefighting robot now part of LAFD's Urban Search and Rescue Task Force. Creative Commons | LAFD Photo by Gary Apodaca
()
The nation's first firefighting robot was put into action today, just hours before its public unveiling by the Los Angeles Fire Department.
The state-of-the-art RS-3 looks like a small, yellow tank. It's the latest in the department's arsenal of firefighting equipment. Today, it was called into action to help with a huge building fire in Downtown Los Angeles.
L.A. Fire Chief Ralph Terrazas says the remotely operated machine is designed to go directly into situations too dangerous for firefighters to handle on their own:
Support for LAist comes from
"But it also can be used for searching for people in large collapsed buildings, horse rescues, fuel tanker fires on the freeway, fires in refineries, and many others."
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily newsletters. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The Palisades Fire erupted on Jan. 7 and went on to kill 12 people and destroy more than 6,800 homes and buildings. -
People moving to Los Angeles are regularly baffled by the region’s refrigerator-less apartments. They’ll soon be a thing of the past. -
Experts say students shouldn't readily forgo federal aid. But a California-only program may be a good alternative in some cases. -
Distrito Catorce’s Guillermo Piñon says the team no longer reflects his community. A new mural will honor local leaders instead. -
The program is for customers in communities that may not be able to afford turf removal or water-saving upgrades. -
More than half of sales through September have been to corporate developers. Grassroots community efforts continue to work to combat the trend.
Best of LAist