Strengthening Community Communication

For over 25 years, Lonnie Alperson has made Calabasas his home, attracted by its excellent schools, strong sense of community, and stunning natural environment. However, he quickly understood that living in this paradise carries a significant responsibility—preparing for wildfire risks. Today, Lonnie carves out time from his busy schedule to volunteer with EPIC-FSC, focusing on programming and distributing FRS radios to ensure that residents remain informed during emergencies.

A Passion for Preparedness

“I’m just a resident concerned that climate change is making wildfires more intense,” Lonnie explains. “Taking proactive steps not only reduces any anxiety I might feel but also helps me empower my neighbors to get prepared.”

From Boy Scouts to Wildfire Response

Lonnie’s journey into emergency communications began 15 years ago when he was a leader in his son Matt’s Boy Scout troop. Since the scouts often ventured into remote areas, the leaders needed a reliable way to stay in touch. That’s when Lonnie obtained his amateur radio license (ham), which served the troop well as Matt worked his way to Eagle Scout. However, once Matt moved on, the radio was set aside—until the Woolsey Fire reignited Lonnie’s interest in emergency preparedness.

After the devastation caused by that fire, Lonnie sought ways to better protect his home. That’s when he connected with EPIC-FSC President Brian Cameron, who conducted a Home-Hardening Assessment that revealed critical vulnerabilities Lonnie hadn’t previously considered. One of the biggest surprises was his beautiful cypress trees. Brian showed him that beneath the lush greenery, layers of dry, combustible debris had built up, creating a serious fire hazard. This eye-opening experience deepened Lonnie’s commitment to making his home and community more resilient.

Stepping Up After Disaster Strikes

It wasn’t until the tragic Paradise Fire and, more recently, the devastating Maui blaze that Lonnie became fully immersed in EPIC’s mission. One of the most critical failures in those disasters was the lack of communication. Determined to prevent a similar situation in Calabasas, Lonnie took action by helping residents stay informed through FRS radios.

Thanks to funding from the City of Calabasas, these radios are provided to residents free of charge. Lonnie personally programs and distributes them at local events, ensuring as many neighbors as possible have access to timely emergency updates.

His skills were put into action during the recent Palisades Fire. Lonnie played a crucial role in EPIC’s communication efforts, broadcasting vetted information from the Emergency Operations Center every hour.

Get Involved with EPIC-FSC

“If we can get the entire community involved with EPIC, we can significantly strengthen our wildfire resilience,” Lonnie emphasizes. “Preparedness is not just an individual responsibility—it’s a community effort. When we work together, we have a far greater chance of safeguarding our homes, our families, and our way of life.”