Water Rescue Operation Underway in Long Beach for Missing Off-Duty LAFD Firefighter

LONG BEACH, Calif., Dec. 5 (KNN) – A multi-agency water rescue operation is underway at the Port of Long Beach for an off-duty LAFD firefighter who went missing while diving with friends late Wednesday night.

Emergency crews from the Long Beach Fire Department requested assistance from the Los Angeles County Fire Department around 11:34 p.m. They responded to the scene near 1600 South Harbor Scenic Way, where the missing diver was last seen.

Lifeguard rescue boats were observed in the water, with divers gearing up and boarding vessels as part of the search operation.

The Los Angeles Fire Department reported that regional public safety agencies are on the scene working in unified command to search for the missing diver, a male in his late 20s.

The LAFD said the firefighter went recreational diving with friends and was not involved with any fire department-related duties at the time of his disappearance.

“The Long Beach Fire Department, Los Angeles City Fire Department, U.S. Coast Guard, Los Angeles County Fire Department, the Los Angeles Port Police, and Long Beach Police continue to work together through established mutual aid plans to ensure a thorough search is conducted. Search operations will continue in and around the area where the diver was last seen,” an LAFD statement read.

As of Friday, the off-duty firefighter remained missing. According to PIO Fire Captain Jake Heflin with the LBFD, the rescue operation has transitioned to a recovery operation, with the Long Beach PD taking over the investigation.

Josiah Valenzuela, Video Journalist / KNN