El Medio Firewise Community
EL MEDIO FIREWISE

Events

Neighborhood workdays, preparedness events, workshops, and opportunities to work together for a safer, more resilient El Medio.

Event recap • August 22, 2026

Community Clean Up Day

A neighborhood workday focused on cleanup, brush clearance, and practical preparation for wildfire and storm season.

Community support in action

Neighbors and partners showed up ready to work.

Builders FirstSource supported the day with 16 employee volunteers and a substantial collection of supplies and equipment for neighborhood cleanup.

The team brought a full pallet of water, gloves, masks, eye protection, safety vests, trash bags, brooms, dust pans, cleanup tools, hedge trimmers and other equipment, along with an EZ-Up, snacks, and shirts for the crew.

Their team spent the day working in the neighborhood and supporting the broader Palisades recovery effort. Builders FirstSource has also expressed its commitment to continuing to support Team Palisades and future rebuilding efforts.

Special thank you

Thank you to our community partners.

Special thanks to Builders FirstSource and to Jonathan Kohanoff, Jeff Norihio, Holly Wymss, and Gabriel De La Torre for bringing people, equipment, safety gear, supplies, water, and hands-on support to El Medio. We are grateful for their willingness to show up for the neighborhood and for their continued commitment to the Palisades rebuild.

Thank you as well to Team Palisades and everyone who helped organize, support, photograph, and share the cleanup effort.

Builders FirstSource Rebuild LA

Community Clean Up Day

Photos from the neighborhood.

A few scenes from the August 22 cleanup and the Builders FirstSource team supporting El Medio.

Builders FirstSource volunteers gathered beneath a canopy during Community Clean Up Day
Builders FirstSource truck loaded with cleanup materials during Community Clean Up Day
Cleanup volunteers gathered beside a Builders FirstSource truck
Neighborhood cleanup volunteers gathered near Almar Avenue

Wildfire preparedness

Meet Alex Swedelson

Practical wildfire mitigation experience paired with community education and preparedness.

Alex Swedelson during Community Clean Up Day in El Medio

Certified Wildfire Mitigation Specialist

Alex Swedelson

Alex Swedelson is a Certified Wildfire Mitigation Specialist who conducts Home Ignition Zone (HIZ) assessments and develops wildfire education and preparedness programs through the Malibu Community Long Term Recovery Group and Boys & Girls Club of Malibu.

Alex also serves as Training Officer for the Community Brigade and as a wildland firefighter with LAFD Crew 3, a Type 2 Handcrew.

A local resident, Alex fought the Palisades Fire and participated in subsequent mop-up, cleanup, and flood-mitigation efforts. His work combines hands-on wildfire experience with practical strategies to help residents and communities reduce risk and improve resilience.

aswedelson@gmail.com communityeducation@bgcmalibu.org (310) 795-2021
Community Brigade Wildfire Preparedness Home Ignition Zone assessment flyer

Home Ignition Zone assessments

Wildfire preparedness. Stronger together.

The Community Brigade HIZ program offers homeowners a customized review of their property by a Certified Wildfire Mitigation Specialist.

View HIZ Assessment Flyer

Original event

Community Clean Up Day flyer

The August 22 workday included brush clearance and El Niño weather preparation, with an emphasis on clearing drains, gutters, debris, and other potential hazards around the neighborhood.

View Original Flyer Firewise Action Resources