Statement from the Los Angeles Emergency Preparedness Foundation Regarding the New Malibu Community Brigade Program
The Los Angeles Emergency Preparedness Foundation (LAEPF) faced an untenable situation involving a paid subcontractor who had been closely involved with our Community Brigade program. The subcontractor became dissatisfied with the level of oversight LAEPF exercised over his contract and the program’s operations.
LAEPF could not relinquish that oversight. The Community Brigade operates under specific policies, procedures, and regulations established in coordination with the Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACoFD) and is governed by LAEPF’s Board of Directors. Financial accountability and operational oversight are essential responsibilities that cannot be transferred to an individual subcontractor.
The subcontractor also sought compensation beyond the amounts authorized under his agreement—funds that LAEPF was obligated to preserve for its charitable programs and community-serving mission. Although LAEPF could not agree to those demands, we continued working in good faith to identify a reasonable resolution.
While those discussions were underway, individuals associated with the subcontractor supported the creation of a separate entity using LAEPF’s trademarked “Community Brigade” name without LAEPF’s knowledge, authorization, or consent. According to LAEPF’s legal complaint, a bank account was established for the new entity at the same financial institution used by LAEPF, and wiring instructions were created that could direct funds to an account bearing the duplicate name.
LAEPF further alleges that licensed software, digital resources, and public-facing media platforms belonging to or maintained for LAEPF were improperly accessed, retained, or redirected. These actions were accompanied by public statements and communications that LAEPF believes created confusion, damaged its reputation, and obscured the creation and activities of the duplicate entity.
The individuals involved then sought to assume control of the Community Brigade program, its operations, assets, and funding. The program, however, was developed by LAEPF through more than five years of work and coordination with LACoFD. Any attempt to transfer or take control of it without authorization would jeopardize its governance, public accountability, donor trust, and relationship with the Fire Department.
Even after learning of these actions, LAEPF continued attempting to find a path forward that would protect the integrity and continuity of the Community Brigade program. We first requested—and later formally demanded—that the unauthorized use of the program’s name, identity, and resources cease. Those requests were rejected. Instead, LAEPF was asked to surrender the program’s assets, funding, and operations to the newly created entity.
After repeated efforts to resolve the matter, including offers to participate in mediation, LAEPF concluded that legal action was necessary. Federal trademark law requires trademark owners to take reasonable action to protect their marks from unauthorized use and public confusion. LAEPF therefore filed a legal complaint to protect its intellectual property, charitable assets, donors, volunteers, and longstanding partnership with LACoFD.
The lawsuit is not directed at Community Brigade volunteers or community members who have served in good faith. It concerns the duplicate entity and the individuals alleged to have participated directly in its creation and actions.
LAEPF welcomes the formation of responsible organizations that serve their communities. There is room for multiple groups to contribute to wildfire preparedness and public safety. However, any new organization must establish its own identity, operate transparently, respect the legal rights of existing nonprofit organizations, and avoid confusing donors, volunteers, public agencies, or the communities being served.
There is no place in charitable service for deception, intimidation, threats, misappropriation, or efforts to assume control of another nonprofit organization’s established identity and assets.
The federal court has allowed LAEPF’s claims to proceed and rejected requests by the defendants to dismiss or invalidate the legal complaint. This was not a final ruling on all disputed facts or the ultimate merits of the case. LAEPF remains committed to presenting its evidence through the appropriate legal process while continuing the Community Brigade’s vital work in partnership with LACoFD.
Our focus remains where it has always been protecting communities, supporting first responders, serving residents with integrity, and ensuring that the Community Brigade continues to operate under responsible governance, financial accountability, and the authority of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
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