Brad Pitassi – Fire Chief Shares Perspective on L.A. Fires

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As we witness the catastrophic fires that are ravaging Los Angeles, many of you in our community have how we can better understand what we're seeing on the news, and how we can help.

Which is why I reached out to my lifelong friend, Brad Pitassi, who is the Chief of the Maricopa Fire Department, instructor in complex incident management, cancer survivor and member of the Firefighter Cancer Support Network.

In this interview, Brad shares his personal experience in fighting forest and urban fires, his insight about what's happening now in Los Angeles, what to expect going forward, and how we can help.

Big thanks to Brad for sharing so much with us. And big thanks to all of you for your desire to rise to the occasion. 

If you'd like to step up and make a direct donation, here are some places we'd recommend:

1. Los Angeles Food Bank is working with government agencies, nonprofit and faith-based partners and others to respond to the fires throughout Los Angeles County.

2. World Central Kitchen is working with food trucks and restaurants to provide meals for emergency workers and anyone affected by the wildfires.

3. GoFundMe also started a 2025 Wildfire Relief Fund that will go go directly to people impacted who are seeking help through GoFundMe fund-raisers, and to nonprofit organizations on the ground providing relief.

4. GoFundMe has created a centralized hub housing all verified GoFundMe pages related to the wildfires in Southern California. The company said its trust and safety team would update the hub with new verified campaigns as they became available.

5. Team Rubicon, which Brad recommends, has sent a team of volunteer veterans to Los Angeles to assist logistical support to the Riverside County Emergency Management Department.  Amongst other things, their heavy equipment operators and trained chainsaw operators are clearing roadways, freeing up fire crews and allowing them to stay in the fight. 

5. The Leary Firefighters Foundation, which Brad also recommends, supports and advocates for firefighters across the country.

6. Firefighter Cancer Support Network, also recommended by Brad, helps firefighters, EMS professionals, and their families cope with cancer. It provides occupational-cancer awareness, prevention training, and support for those dealing with cancer nationwide. January is Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month, so please help raise awareness for that and advocate for legislation in your state.

The generosity and spirit of our community never ceases to amaze me, especially in times of crisis like this. Thank you! 🙏

 

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