Our Mission
We are building a fire service where courage extends beyond the flames—one that reflects and respects every community it serves, honors all who answer the call, and stands stronger through genuine inclusion.
Fire departments receive billions in taxpayer funding but often fail to reflect the communities they serve. When discrimination goes unchecked, it costs taxpayers millions in settlements while compromising public safety through reduced community trust and weakened emergency response effectiveness.
We believe firefighters deserve leadership that serves, not silences. Through strategic legal pressure, media accountability, and political action, we transform discrimination into department change.
Our Founding Story
Equity on Fire was born when firefighters facing discrimination realized individual complaints weren't enough—systemic problems required systematic pressure.
The catalyst came when Desiree Horton, California's first female fire helicopter pilot, was terminated by Orange County Fire Authority in 2020 despite having more aerial firefighting experience than her male colleagues. Lauren Andrade, an OCFA captain who had fought for basic accommodations like lactation rooms, connected with other firefighters facing similar battles. Together, they founded Equity on Fire in 2021 as a coalition proving that when discrimination becomes expensive, departments find solutions.
