Episode 2: Don’t Call us Heroes

Wildfires are a natural reality in Southern California, but is mass destruction an inevitability? Could the Community Brigade Program be a step to unlocking a different kind of future for people living in high-risk fire zones? We look at if the program worked and how it could reshape life with wildfire in Los Angeles and beyond.

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT →

Episode Notes

Community Brigade members survey some of the 23,000 acres scorched by the Palisades Fire in Santa Monica Mountains in the days after the Palisades Fire. From left to right Brigade members: Charlie Wilkinson, co-founder Tyler Hauptman, co-founder Keegan Gibbs, Michael Capello, and a first responder from Colorado.
Photo credit: Jake Burghart

Around 75 percent of the Pacific Palisades was lost in the Palisades Fire on Jan 7, 2025.

Photo credit: Connor Nelson — Around 75 percent of the Pacific Palisades was lost in the Palisades Fire on Jan 7, 2025.
Photo credit: Connor Nelson

The remains of homes along the Pacific Coast Highway in the aftermath of the Palisades Fire in January 2025. Photo credit: Clay Bush — The remains of homes along the Pacific Coast Highway in the aftermath of the Palisades Fire in January 2025.
Photo credit: Clay Bush

The first class of community brigade members in the fall of 2024 before the Palisades fire. Photo credit: Keegan Gibbs — The first class of community brigade members in the fall of 2024 before the Palisades fire.
Photo credit: Keegan Gibbs

Bobble headed Hawaiian dancer on the dash of Keegan Gibb’s truck, pulling up to a roadblock. Photo credit: Adriana Cargill — Bobble headed Hawaiian dancer on the dash of Keegan Gibb’s truck, pulling up to a roadblock.
Photo credit: Adriana Cargill

The community brigade receiving an award from LA County Supervisor Lindsay Horvath at City Hall on Jan 28, 2025. Keegan Gibbs is speaking at the podium with Chief Marrone to his right and Lindsay Horvath holding the framed award.

The community brigade outside of Los Angeles City Hall after receiving their award. Keegan
Gibbs stands center with Asst. Chief Drew Smith to right. Photo credit: Adriana Cargill — The community brigade outside of Los Angeles City Hall after receiving their award. Keegan Gibbs stands center with Asst. Chief Drew Smith to right.
Photo credit: Adriana Cargill

Community Brigade co-founders Tyler Hauptman (left) Keegan Gibbs (center) and Brent Woodworth (right). Photo credit: Adriana Cargill — Community Brigade co-founders Tyler Hauptman (left) Keegan Gibbs (center) and Brent Woodworth (right).
Photo credit: Adriana Cargill

A home reduced to rubble in the Las Flores Canyon neighborhood in Malibu, California. Photo credit: Adriana Cargill — A home reduced to rubble in the Las Flores Canyon neighborhood in Malibu, California.
Photo credit: Adriana Cargill

A glass front window of a car melted into frozen puddles by the intensity of heat during the
Palisades Fire. Photo credit: Adriana Cargill — A glass front window of a car melted into frozen puddles by the intensity of heat during the Palisades Fire.
Photo credit: Adriana Cargill

This homeowner in Las Flores Canyon, Malibu did a home ignition zone assessment with the brigade before the Palisades Fire and put in place their recommendations.

Despite the intensity of this fire, the home survived because it was hardened. Home hardening teachings are one of the most important things the brigade does to move the needle on home loss.

Photo credit: Connor Nelson

The remains of homes still smoldering on the Pacific Coast Highway on Jan 8, 2025.

Photo Credit: Community Brigade