Where does Neighborhood collaboration begin?

Written By LaCharles James
neighborhood fire resilience

Firewise community

šŸ”„ While wildfire resilience requires a system of mitigations working together at both the home and neighborhood level. It starts with the commitment of the individual homeowner taking steps around their home to stop ember ignitionā€”the leading cause of home loss during wildfire.

Thatā€™s why the work underway in Altadena matters. Following the Eaton Fire, the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety - IBHS is working with Global Emergency Relief, Recovery and Reconstruction (GER3) to bring science-based wildfire retrofits to vulnerable households, resulting in the first Wildfire Prepared Home designations in the community since the Eaton Fire.

šŸ˜ļø More than 50 homes are being assessed and upgraded at no cost to homeowners, focusing on proven measures that reduce ember-driven ignition. When one home is vulnerable, nearby homes are at risk. When neighbors act together, resilience scales.

šŸ¤ Together weā€™re turning research into real-world protection that strengthens communities for the next wildfire.

Neighbors examining is house vent is fire rated

Collaboration Counts

Home owner and Neighbor collaborating on fire resilience

Neighborhood collaboration

LaCharles James

**LaCharles ā€œLCā€ James**

President & Founder, Herald Fire Prevention Council

LaCharles ā€œLCā€ James is a visionary community leader dedicated to wildfire resilience and rural advocacy. As President and Founder of the Herald Fire Prevention Council, LC has built campaigns that empower neighbors, strengthen defensible space, and connect volunteers with practical tools for home hardening and community safety.

His journey blends decades of public service and global outreach: from serving as a Supervising Deputy Probation Officer in Los Angeles County to volunteering with the Peace Corps in Liberia, where he taught and mentored students who continue to carry forward his lessons today. LCā€™s leadership is rooted in authenticity, collaboration, and the quiet heroism of everyday people working together to protect their communities.

Through initiatives like the Golden Paradox Challenge, LC champions innovative, transparent systems that engage donors, restaurants, and volunteers in wildfire prevention. His work is not only about reducing riskā€”itā€™s about building legacy, documenting stories, and ensuring rural voices are heard in statewide resilience planning.

LC lives and works in Herald, California, where his commitment to community, family, and inclusive outreach continues to inspire new partnerships and long-term impact.

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While wildfire resilience requires a system of