The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is expanding its wildland fire preparedness efforts by equipping deputies with specialized fire safety bags that contain protective equipment and emergency supplies for use when they are called upon to work in or near active wildfire areas.
Wildland fires can create hazardous conditions, including extreme heat, heavy smoke, falling debris and poor visibility. During fires law enforcement personnel often assist with evacuations, traffic control, perimeter security and other public safety operations. Ensuring deputies have appropriate protective equipment is an important part of the Department’s preparedness efforts.
These fire bags are one example of that commitment. They provide a practical way for the Department to prepare our personnel for the dangers they may encounter and ensure they have the appropriate protective equipment when deployed to work in wildland fire conditions.
This is where our community partnerships have made a tremendous difference. The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Foundation generously provided the funding for our initial wildland fire bags in 2023. Those 30 bags went to our personnel at the Malibu/Lost Hills patrol station who may be called to work in wildland fire conditions. During the recent fires, Malibu/Lost Hills Station personnel used these bags while working in the affected areas and saw firsthand how valuable that equipment could be. As a result, the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Foundation decided to step forward again and provide an additional donation to purchase 139 more bags, which were distributed this year to patrol personnel throughout the Department.
Recognizing the need to expand the program to additional fire-prone areas, Gordon Philanthropies offered to graciously donate and help buy an additional 110 wildland fire bags, which the Department expects to receive in early October. In total, the Department will have a total of 279 wildland fire bags.
Los Angeles County Fire Department Assistant Chief Drew Smith worked with Malibu/Lost Hills patrol station to identify the necessary protective equipment and emergency supplies needed for deputies working near wildland fires. Each fully equipped fire bag includes critical personal protective equipment and emergency supplies, including a 5.11 Responder Med Backpack, CAL FIRE wildland jacket, leather safety gloves, Hot Shield Wildland Mask, Anchor Fire Shelter, safety glasses, Bleed Stop Kit with tourniquet, gauze and N95 masks, and an Eye and Sun Relief Kit containing eye drops, saline and a cold pack.
The bags are stored at designated stations throughout the County and are available for deployment as needed. During periods of elevated wildfire danger, including Red Flag Warnings, deputies may carry the bags in their patrol vehicles so protective equipment is immediately available should conditions change or a wildland fire develop.
“This really is a great example of partnership, our fire-service partners sharing their expertise, our community partners providing resources, and our Department putting those resources directly into the hands of the personnel who may need them,” said Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna. “At the end of the day, this is about preparedness and taking care of our people, so they can take care of our residents.”
“The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Foundation is proud to support the Department in obtaining new fire safety bags for deputies,” said Los Angeles Sheriff’s Foundation David Hochman. “Seeing this important safety equipment put to good use during the recent fires demonstrated the importance of being prepared and having additional resources available when they are needed most. We are pleased to continue supporting the Department’s efforts to expand this resource to more personnel throughout the County, and we appreciate the partnership with Gordon Philanthropies in helping protect deputies in the field while keeping our communities safe.”
“In Southern California, wildfire risk is no longer hypothetical; it is a predictable reality that requires strategic preparation,” said Daniel L. Gordon, Founder of Gordon Philanthropies. “If deputies are asked to operate in hazardous conditions to protect our communities, we, as citizens, have a responsibility to ensure they are properly equipped and trained. The hope is that this equipment is never needed, but preparedness is not optional, and protecting our first responders is a shared community responsibility.”
The Department is grateful for the partnerships of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Foundation and Gordon Philanthropies for helping expand this important preparedness resource to additional patrol stations throughout Los Angeles County.
