With a powerful storm threatening to unleash dangerous landslides and flash floods in fire-scorched areas of Los Angeles, Direct Relief today announced $255,000 in emergency grants to search-and-rescue teams across the region.
The funding will support these teams’ operational capacity, enabling them to pre-stage critical equipment, deploy rescue units faster, and reach at-risk residents if conditions worsen.
Bolstering Regional Search and Rescue
Among the volunteer-led search-and-rescue teams receiving Direct Relief grants are:
- Altadena Mountain Rescue Team
- Antelope Valley Search and Rescue
- California Rescue Dog Association
- Catalina Search and Rescue Team
- Malibu Mountain Rescue Team
- Montrose Search and Rescue Team
- San Diego Sheriff’s Search and Rescue
- San Dimas Mountain Rescue Team
- Santa Clarita Valley Search and Rescue Team
- Sierra Madre Search and Rescue
- Ventura County Search and Rescue
These teams were on the frontlines of the Palisades and Eaton wildfires, which burned hillsides and left Pacific Palisades and Altadena highly vulnerable to landslides. The grants aim to bolster their core operations, strengthen their capacity to respond effectively to storms, fires, and other emergencies, and ensure access to critical equipment such as:
- Medical kits for treating injuries in the field
- Technical rescue gear and personal protective equipment for use in unstable terrain
- Radio and communication tools to coordinate responses in areas with limited cell service
- Swiftwater resources for rapid extrication and floodwater rescues
- Off-highway vehicles for accessing burn scar areas
Supporting California Search and Rescue
Direct Relief has long supported California’s emergency response operations, ensuring that first responders and healthcare providers have the resources to respond when disasters strike. Recognizing the essential role of volunteer rescue teams, Direct Relief established a Search and Rescue Fund in 2023 to ensure first responders have immediate access to lifesaving equipment and financial support in emergencies.
California runs one of the nation’s most extensive mutual-aid search-and-rescue networks. These teams not only serve their local communities—they also deploy across the state when large-scale disasters, like the wildfires in L.A., overwhelm local resources.
Commitment to L.A. Relief and Recovery
Direct Relief remains committed to supporting L.A. communities now and throughout the recovery, and will continue responding to needs as conditions evolve, including by providing:
- Additional emergency operating grants for first responders, nonprofit healthcare providers, and community-based organizations
- Expanded medical aid for community health centers and free and charitable clinics to support healthcare access for fire-affected residents
- Ongoing distribution of critical resources, including medications and essential supplies, for displaced residents
Ensuring Transparency in Disaster Response
At the core of Direct Relief’s efforts is a firm commitment to transparency and honoring donor intent. All funds donated for wildfire relief are used exclusively to support wildfire response and recovery efforts—covering everything from immediate emergency aid to long-term resilience-building. Through an efficient operational model and strong partnerships, Direct Relief ensures that every dollar stretches as far as possible, providing critical medical and humanitarian resources to those in need.
