A group of locals make up the volunteer fire brigade. Dozens of these volunteers don firefighting gear and jump into action whenever their community needs them. They rushed into action when the Franklin Fire took off.
"The entire team feels this is the right thing for us to do. If we don't as citizens step up and take this kind of action who's going to do it for us?" said Brent Woodworth, a member of the brigade.
The fire brigade formed last year to assist the professional firefighters. The brigade is made up of members of the community stepping in to help their neighbors when disaster strikes. Some members are passionate about volunteering even after losing their own homes in fires over the last several years.
"So many of the folks that are on our brigade had survived a personal loss and yet still come back and still want to make the community safer and stronger. It actually increases their level of commitment, and it is very emotional to think about that," Woodworth said.
Eyewitness News talked to Malibu residents who were so thankful to firefighters for saving their homes and also thankful to the volunteers with the fire brigade for doing what they say Americans are known for - helping each other when disaster strikes.
"That's what makes you an American - the ability to step up. You are not getting paid - you are just doing this help other people and when people come together, that's America," said Paul Joseph, a Malibu resident.
The Franklin Fire destroyed just over half a dozen structures and torched thousands of acres.
"When it comes to natural disasters, Mother Nature does not discriminate. Fire doesn't care what political party you are with or your background or anything and therefore it's a great way to bring people together for a common cause to help protect their communities," Woodworth said.
"It's the entire team feels this is the right thing for us to do. If we don't as citizens step up and take this kind of action who's going to do it for us?"
