Search for missing LAFD firefighter diving in Long Beach now a recovery effort: Officials
A search for a missing firefighter who was diving in the Port of Long Beach is now considered a recovery effort, authorities have announced.
The firefighter works with the Los Angeles City Fire Department. He was off duty and diving with friends Wednesday night when he was last seen, the Los Angeles Fire Department shared online Thursday evening.
The firefighter’s name has not been released as of Friday afternoon, but according to local television station KTTV, he is 28 years old.
He has been with the fire department for six years, Captain Adam VanGerpen of the Los Angeles City Fire Department told Paste BN Friday afternoon.
How did the firefighter go missing while diving?
On Wednesday night, someone called Long Beach authorities about a missing diver in the Port of Long Beach, the Los Angeles Fire Department said in a news release. The Long Beach Fire Department immediately sent out divers to search for the man, followed by Long Beach Police Department responders.
Throughout the night and Thursday, other agencies joined their efforts, searching in the water for at least 19 hours. Altogether, 24 divers searched throughout the day, VanGerpen of the Los Angeles City Fire Department told Paste BN Friday afternoon.
The firefighter and three other men were on a private boat Wednesday night freediving, or diving without scuba gear, KTTV reported. Three of the men got into the water just before 10 p.m. that night while the fourth man drove the boat. Only two of the men returned from the water, the outlet reported.
The men called authorities and search efforts had started within 20 minutes, according to KTTV.
“As in-water operations continued tirelessly for more than 19 hours, the survivability profile of the diver and decreased visibility made it difficult to sustain prolonged search operations,” the Los Angeles Fire Department said in its news release.
According to the fire department, multiple agencies aided with the search, including the Long Beach Fire Department, the Los Angeles City Fire Department, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Los Angeles County Fire Department, the Los Angeles Port Police, and Long Beach Police.
Recovery operation
Authorities announced Thursday that it was no longer a search and rescue mission but a recovery operation. Officials are using sonar and other technology to recover the man.
The investigation has been turned over to the Long Beach Police Department, who will work with the Long Beach Fire Department and the Los Angeles City Fire Department.
Accepting that he likely did not survive is not easy, officials say
The Long Beach Fire Department continued to share updates on the search for the man this week.
“The decision to transition operations to a recovery mission is not taken lightly,” the fire department wrote. “There were many factors that contributed to this decision. As we make this transition, our thoughts and prayers continue for the family of the missing diver and for our brothers and sisters at the Los Angeles City Fire Department.”
As reported by ABC7 and other local outlets, Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley spoke at a press conference this week to update community members on the case.
“We’ve been actively engaged with his immediate family, friends, colleagues,” she said, adding that his family is well-supported in the area. “We’ve been side-by-side with them, offering support, love.”
Captain Adam VanGerpen from the Los Angeles City Fire Department also spoke to local media.
“This is hitting the fire family very hard,” he said.
This story has been updated to add new information.
Saleen Martin is a reporter on Paste BN's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Follow her on Twitter at @SaleenMartin or email her at sdmartin@usatoday.com.