County Line Community Brigade

Local Volunteers. Real Impact.

The County Line Community Brigade is a volunteer-led wildfire readiness and response team serving the Los Angeles-Ventura County Line and Deer Creek area. It is one of the seven pilot programs in the Community Brigade initiative launched by the Los Angeles Emergency Preparedness Foundation (LAEPF) in partnership with LA County Fire.

Volunteers receive specialized training to support wildfire prevention, response, and evacuation efforts, working closely with neighbors before, during, and after emergencies. Because they know the terrain, roads, and homes in their area better than anyone, County Line Brigade members serve as trusted, on-the-ground allies to first responders when it matters most.

What does the Community Brigade do?

  • Home Ignition Zone (HIZ) Assessments

    Trained volunteers conduct free evaluations at individual homes, producing confidential reports with recommendations to reduce ignition risk through defensible space and home hardening . Contact us to schedule a free HIZ assessment, where brigade volunteers visit your home, assess ignition risks, and provide tailored mitigation guidance.

  • Fire Behavior & Tactical Training

    Members complete 60–70 days of classroom and field training alongside County firefighters, learning fire behavior, communications, emergency protocols, and safety procedures. Learn how qualified residents can apply to receive extensive fire preparedness training and join the Brigade.

  • On-the-Ground Support During Wildfires

    During the January 2025 Palisades Fire, County Line and other Community Brigades played active roles: aiding evacuations, extinguishing ember and spot fires (known as “mop-up” operations), distributing food and water, and helping maintain defensible space . Donate to support equipment, PPE, and tools that directly help the Deer Creek/County Line Community.

Why It Matters for Deer Creek Residents?

When neighbors are trained and ready, Deer Creek becomes a stronger, fire-adapted community. County Line Brigade enables homeowners to take proactive action, especially when professional responders must prioritize fire fronts.

Homegrown Fire Support

When flames descend and emergency services are stretched thin, volunteer brigades like County Line help fill the gap helping protect properties while official resources focus on the fire front .

Empowering Neighbors

LAEPF has built the program on shared ownership: “Shared ownership in the outcome of disasters encourages communities to take responsibility over their own risk exposure.”

Quantifiable Impact

Homes that implemented mitigation recommendations from ignition zone assessments had higher rates of survival during wildfire events, demonstrating the real value of proactive preparedness 

“The Community Brigade was instrumental in working alongside first responders against one of the most destructive natural disasters in Los Angeles County history.”

— Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone of the County of Los Angeles Fire Department

Video of Community Brigade trucks participating in engine operator training by exploring roads that not many have seen.