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title: The “firefighting agency” whose claims don’t hold up
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 “Firefighting agency” makes unverifiable claims. Plus, apple picking recommendations.  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­    ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­  

| Not rendering correctly? View this email as a web page here. In this newsletter: Feature: The “firefighting agency” whose claims don’t hold up Voter guide Reclaiming “No sabo” Recommendations for an apple-eating field trip The school that’s replacing asphalt with trees The “firefighting agency” whose claims don’t hold up by Megan Jamerson Back in August, I was scrolling through Reddit when I came across a post advertising a volunteer firefighter recruiting event for Southern California Wildfire Response (SCWR). Their website said they are a “non-profit wildland fire agency,” made up entirely of volunteers. I was curious how volunteer firefighting works, so I contacted SCWR, and they invited me to attend their presentation to recruits. At Coldwater Creek Park in Beverly Hills, the leader of the group, Johnathan Martin, stood in front of a crowd of over 100 potential recruits wearing a navy blue uniform with a badge. He pitched SCWR as a way for people interested in pursuing careers in the fire service to gain experience. Most of the attendees I met that evening aspired to work for an agency like the Los Angeles Fire Department. Martin told them SCWR does a lot of community volunteer work, and that only 5% of what they do is actual firefighting. He claims his group has “engaged” with 246 fires over the last five years. “We are a fully recognized fire department at the same level as multiple agencies,” Martin told the room. “We are tightly integrated with the needs and requests of the City of Los Angeles. We work on behalf of them.” He continued, “We are the primary jurisdiction for over 3,000 acres of land in the Santa Monica Mountains.” But when I requested documents from Martin, spoke with the LAFD, and interviewed local wildfire policy experts, I found that Martin’s claims did not add up. In fact, experts raised some serious public safety concerns. Read the investigation here In The Neighborhood Did you get your ballot yet? Midterm elections in Congress, LA City Mayor, a tax on billionaires – they’re all up to you. In this 2026 voter guide, KCRW and partner newsroom CalMatters have got info on all the issues and what you need to do to make your vote count. Struggling with Spanish? Don’t awkwardly announce “no sabo.” At the No Sabo Club, Latinos who can’t keep up with the español patter of their families come to practice Spanish with no shame. KCRW reporting fellow Eli Chavez has this charming story on the weekly gathering. UCLA sculpture professor Rodney McMillian was driving on the 110 Freeway when he learned he’d won an $800,000 MacArthur Foundation grant he didn’t even apply for. On Press Play, he reflects on “what we think we know” about objects, including a stained armchair that became part of his first gallery show. Recommendations from KCRW’s Evan Kleiman for California apple eating in Julian, a mountain town in San Diego County (audio at 40:57). The town’s got cafes, cideries, and, of course, bakeries full of apple pie. Kids are rolling down new grass hills and cataloging dozens of bird species at Esperanza Elementary School, in one of LA’s densest neighborhoods. Press Play’s Madeleine Brand speaks with the school's principal about the difference grass, trees, and native plants have made as the district plans to green its campuses. (audio at 15:29). Local Meme of the Week KCRW's Local Letterbox Things to Do This Week – CicLAvia takes over downtown, Chinatown, Little Tokyo, the Arts District, Boyle Heights, and Echo Park. Plus, theater and storytelling shows. Art Insider with Carolina Miranda – The dreamlike paintings and collages of LA artist Elliott Hundley, whose seventh solo show is now at Regen Projects in Hollywood Get in the know about local happenings all around Los Angeles, weekly in your inbox when you subscribe to our newsletters. Download the KCRW App     KCRW 1900 Pico Blvd.  Santa Monica, CA 90405  You received this email because you are subscribed to KCRW Local from KCRW. Update your email preferences to choose the types of emails you receive. Unsubscribe from all future emails. |
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