Supporting LA first responders with custom e-bikes for LA wildfire response
Mar 31, 2026 [[read-time]] minute read
For those of us at YouTube and Google, Los Angeles is more than just a place we work. It’s the home of our creators, the heart of the entertainment community, and for many of us — myself included — it’s simply home.
We all remember the devastating loss of the January 2025 wildfires. Like so many of our neighbors, we were heartbroken by the destruction, and we’ve remained committed to helping this city rebuild. In the immediate aftermath, YouTube and Google.org provided $15 million in recovery aid to support the teachers, small businesses, and creators and artists who make LA what it is.
Today, we are taking the next step in that commitment by looking toward the future of fire safety and prevention.
First responder units
To help empower the heroes who protect our hills and homes, YouTube and Google.org are donating 30 high-performance, customized electric motorbikes to the Los Angeles and Arcadia Fire Departments.
These specialized “First Responder” units are built to access rugged, mountainous terrain where traditional fire and emergency response can’t reach. This investment is designed to dramatically expand the capacity for early wildfire detection and rapid medical response across some of the most challenging landscapes in the nation.
"Los Angeles is a city of neighborhoods, and some of those neighborhoods happen to be mountain trails, canyon paths, and open parkland. When a hiker is injured in Griffith Park or a trail runner goes down in the backcountry, we must reach them. These electric motorbikes give our crews access in terrain where every minute determines the outcome. This partnership with YouTube and Google.org is about the people of this city and its visitors. It is about ensuring we can reach anyone who needs us, no matter where they are."
- LAFD Fire Chief Jaime E. Moore
Expanding operational capacity
These are not standard e-bikes; they are specialized tools engineered for the steep, narrow trails of the Santa Monica and San Gabriel mountains. By deploying this fleet, the departments will be able to:
- Improve wildfire detection: 1000W mid-drive motors allow for quieter, faster patrols in remote areas to identify flare-ups before they spread.
- Enhance rapid response: These units can reach medical emergencies in minutes in areas where air support is unavailable or ground vehicles are blocked.
- Utilize custom specs: Each bike is equipped with waterproof flashing red/blue lights, sirens, and heavy-duty rack systems for carrying fire blankets, medical tools, and communications gear.
The road ahead
This initiative is a testament to the power of local partnerships. We want to thank Fire Chief Jamie Moore for his integral role in shaping this program. By providing our first responders with these off-road tools, they gain a tactical advantage to protect the communities we all serve.
We are proud to stand with our neighbors as we continue the road to recovery.