How to Disaster

"We don't have the time to be in constant debate. We have to find solutions…  and we're going to set the stage for a future that's going to be brighter." -Marko Bey  

 

"We need to have a plan in place, and we need to practice these incidents before they ever occur. Preparation is crucial in this. Prevention response, recovery, mitigation- all are in a whole community response." -Belinda Brown

 

Episode Description: 

The only way to address the health of our forests and ecosystems and the threats to our communities is through collaborative conversation. Therefore, building partnerships before disasters happen is crucial to our safety and existence. Marko Bey and Belinda Brown have been in the restoration work for over 30 years, and they continue serving communities through the Lomakatsi Restoration Project. Marko serves as Lomakatsi's Executive Director, while Belinda works as the Tribal Partnership Director.  In this episode, Marko and Belinda talk about the best systems in implementing restoration and mitigation practices. They also share practical approaches to address collaboration mistrust among sectors and communities, equity issues, communication barriers, and raising sustainable funding. Tune in and join the #OneVoiceOneMindOneAccord movement for a more resilient today and a brighter tomorrow!

Connect with After the Fire: Recover. Rebuild. Reimagine.

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Highlights:

08:20: How to Address the Need for Collaboration 

14:07: How to Help "America's Secret Family" 

22:24: How to Manage Cross-Sector Collaboration 

32:14: How to Handle Rural-Urban Mistrust

38:42: How to Speak for the Ones Who Don't Have a Voice

45:39: How to Navigate the Mitigation and Restoration Work 

52:06: How to Raise Sustainable Fundings   

58:36: One Voice, One Mind, One Accord 

"Being a volunteer is a privilege…  I wasn't documented so I volunteered a lot. And that volunteer work led many doors to be opened up for me." -Jocksana Corona

 

Episode Description: 

On September 8th of 2020, Oregon continues in high alert as another brush fire sparks along Almeda Drive, the 18th fire of the 2020 Wildfire Season. With unusually strong winds and extremely dry conditions, the recipe for an impending inferno is complete. Raging NW through Ashland, Talent, and Phoenix, the Almeda Fire finally ended its rage in the county's very seat in Medford. It burned 3200 acres of land, destroyed over 3000 structures, and left 3 fatalities.  

 

Jocksana Corona, a citizen from Talent, remembers that day like an unending nightmare. They had to evacuate four times in 24 hours, their house burned down, their family member was stuck between two fires, their cats missing, and their hopes crushed to the ground. In this episode, Jocksana relates the heart-wrenching story of how they battled through the burning embers of the wildfire and the society's relief system as a member of the undocumented community. Stay until the end to hear how this story ends! 

 

As an emergent leader, Jocksana also shares how her prior volunteer works have helped her during these challenging times and how it opened the way for her to support fellow undocumented members of the community before, during, and after the fire. Like Jocksana, there are millions of undocumented citizens living in the US alone, and they are paying into a system where they cannot access. During a disaster, they are deprived of the right to rebuild, recover, and reimagine. Join the conversation and find out how we can rectify this dysfunction in our system and create a better world for everyone, regardless of status and background. 

Connect with After the Fire: Recover. Rebuild. Reimagine.

Website : https://afterthefireusa.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AfterTheFireUSA

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AfterTheFireUSA

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afterthefireusa/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/after-the-fire-usa-8241b7217/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuTefxZgWUJkDVoZGZQpxgQ

 

Highlights:

00:43 When the Reg Flag Stands

16:22 Stuck In Between Two Fires

21:26 A Tearful, Sleepless Night

27:29 Finding Shelter Amidst COVID 

32:44 Being a Volunteer is a Privilege

40:00 The Beauty of a Community 

45:00 Challenges Faced by the Undocumented Community

54:07 Housing and Undocumented Communities

59:51 54 Days and Reunited

 "Sometimes, it's not going to be pretty. And sometimes, it's not going to be easy, but we're going to make it, and we're going to move on and move forward, oftentimes, to a better place." - Sydnie Kohara

 

In times of disaster, providing accurate information is crucial to public safety and recovery. In this episode, Jennifer interviews Sydnie Kohara, Founder of Kohara Studios on the role of journalist in informing the public during a disaster. Sydnie shares her experiences as a seasoned journalist who's gone through numerous disasters. She also offers her expertise on disaster preparedness, organization, self-care, and communication. Everyone can be a journalist. Tune in and find out how you can take part in delivering facts during a disaster and how it can save your family and neighbors.

 

Connect with After the Fire: Recover. Rebuild. Reimagine.

Website : https://afterthefireusa.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AfterTheFireUSA

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AfterTheFireUSA

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afterthefireusa/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/after-the-fire-usa-8241b7217/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuTefxZgWUJkDVoZGZQpxgQ

 

Highlights:

04:28: A Career That Will Take You Around The World

13:23: Do What You Can To Tell People Stories

18:25: What to Tell and NOT to Tell

22:48: Disaster Preparedness

30:57: Volunteerism

34:05: How to Organize and Communicate 

3609: Be Self Sufficient

44:26: Everyone Can Be A Journalist

50:40: Take Care Of Yourself

SERIES: Role of the Non-Profit

 

"We had to understand that things were changing whether we like it or not. We want to keep things the way they were but to be resilient in the future, we need to adapt to the fact that fire is a necessary part of the ecosystem." -Lisa Micheli Ph.D 

Episode Description: 

The 3 most expensive words are: equity, sustainability and resiliency. We are now in a period where we are paying for the lack of stewardship with high costs, but there is still a hope. This week, Dr. Lisa Micheli, joins the stage to talk about how to connect each individual landowner to their community and to resource opportunities. Dr. Micheli is the CEO and President of Pepperwood Preserve Foundation and has also served on the board of Rebuild NorthBay Foundation since 2018. In terms of long-term recovery, a wider scope and a more aggressive approach is required. Dr. Micheli shares more about the work they do on education and resiliency strategies and how it can be duplicated by other communities. As a scientist and researcher, she also discusses the nature of fires and why it is beneficial for the ecosystem, how fire travels, and landscape solutions to scale up the area of treatment. If landowners, funders, developers, and communities team up together and start meaningful conversations instead of arguments, they can change the framework of how we catch up with the backlog on stewardship.  Tune in and find out how to save time on planning and move resources forward with a more cost effective approach.      

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Highlights:

03:57 Chosen by Fire

09:54 The Problem with Lack of Stewardship 

14:42 From the Ground Up

25:41 Public Funds for Mitigation 

28:23 Prioritization of Resources and Strategies

33:31 Equity Issues on Land Management

39:19 Conversation for Win-Wins

44:44 What About a Landscape Reset

49:21 3 of the Most Expensive Words

SERIES: Role of the Tribal Leader

 

"The policies that you make should reflect your love for the community... If you can't do that, then you need to take a step back and go talk to your elders again." -Reno Franklin

 

Episode Description: 

Did you know? - The first inhabitants of coastal Sonoma County were the Kashia/Kashaya Band of Pomo Indians! 

 

In this episode, Jennifer sits with Reno Franklin, Chairman Emeritus of the Kashia Band of Pomo Indians. He is also a longtime Board Member of Rebuild NorthBay. Reno will take you back in time to see what's here and what's coming in terms of disasters. He also shares priceless wisdom and values critical in serving others during a crisis. Being a trusted resource, Reno also talks about how to help tribal communities be more resilient, advocate for equity, make community-centered policies, and democratize information. There is a reason why tribal knowledge and practices worked effectively to avoid wildfires. As the saying goes, Think Like an Indian! Tune in as Reno shares what that means for us who are living in the present and the future generation. 

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Highlights:

05:58: Invasive Species and Their Part in the Rise of Wildfires

11:01: The Kashia Pomo Tribe

15:50: How to React to Fire

22:05: Be a Trusted Resource

26:58: Air Quality and Equity

31:17: Tools For Achieving Equity 

36:57: Democratize Information

39:39: Think Like an Indian

41:36: Acknowledge Your Worker Bees 

SERIES: Role of the Public Sector Leader 

 

"Sometimes we think physically doing something for someone is what's best for them. But sometimes they just want someone to hear their story… Sit back and listen. People want to be heard." -Christa López

Episode Description: 

 

There are so many layers to unpack in a disaster. Everything happens so quickly, people are anxious, supplies are running low, and people's lives and livelihoods are at risk. If you are a leader, you may be challenged with making sure you address the needs of each community in your jurisdiction and help them develop resiliency at the same time. This can be a demanding yet exciting task. In this episode, Jennifer interviews one of the strong leaders of today, Dr. Christa López. Dr. López is the  Chief of Staff for Community Development and Revitalization for the Texas General Land Office. Listen in as they teach how you can obtain the best knowledge possible during a crisis, find trustworthy investments, get the most of your insurance, and prepare for necessities during the YOYO (You're On Your Own) period in a disaster. Dr. López also shares valuable insights for long-term recovery in terms of disaster housing, managing donations, and considering the culture of a community. Whether you are a leader or a community member, you can find ways to help- the right way. And sometimes, that help is simply becoming a friend who is ready to sit and listen to the victims.   

 

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Highlights:

02:52: Life Lessons About Real Life Disasters 

09:10: The First Step- Investments

15:12: Taking Care of the Needs of  Those in Your Jurisdiction

18:26: Considerations Before Making Donations

21:44: Respect for Community Culture

24:21: Sit and Listen

31:05: Where Can You Help

36:18: How to be Resilient

42:00: Always Document 

46:15: Disaster Housing and Innovations

52:20: No One Should be Re-traumatized

SERIES: Role of the Non-Profit

 

"A lot of Adjusters come in from out of state. They're supposed to be trained, 

but they often don't. 

So it often falls to the property owner to stand up for themselves." -Amy Bach

Episode Description: 

One of the urgent issues in recovery is insufficient insurance. It is often dismissed by many because of varied reasons. Whereas, for the ones that do have insurance, the process is plain complex and lengthy. But with the trends in disasters today, having insurance is truly a lifesaver. Join United Policyholders Founder Amy Bach, Esq., for Part 2 of How to Navigate Insurance in times of disaster. Jennifer and Amy talk about the coverage of insurance policy, the role of advocacy, laws and opportunities in insurance, as well as money and equity issues. If you are a nonprofit, Amy gives profound advice on how to secure fundings so you can put the victims at the core of your programs. While claiming your insurance, you may meet unscrupulous people trying to swindle you and untrained insurance adjusters evaluating your properties poorly. Listen in for practical guides on how to avoid insurance fraud. Be proactive and take the responsibility to stand up for your own recovery. 

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Highlights:

04:00: Growing Problem-Lack of Insurance

10:54: The Coverage of Insurance Policy 

16:38: The Roadmap to Recovery

26:14: Forward with Long-Term Solutions

35:36: Help the Community Help Themselves

38:12: Find Trusted Help

SERIES: Role of the Non-Profit

 

"You don't want to say to people, 'trust no one'. You want to say, 'trust but verify'."   -Amy Bach

 

Episode Description: 

Getting insured is one of the best things you can do before a disaster strikes. It gives you the power to protect your family and property after the immediate dangers have passed. However, some people may try to take advantage of the victims while pretending to offer assistance. How do you know who to trust? In this episode, you will be empowered to successfully navigate the world of insurance with United Policyholders Founder, Amy Bach, Esq.. Amy talks about understanding insurance policy and the two things you will need for long-term recovery. Insurance companies are still businesses that operate for profit. Join in and discover practical steps you can take to make sure you are getting the most out of your insurance.  

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Highlights:

04:45: The World of Insurance

13:20: Knowing Who to Trust 

16:48: Beware of the "Heroes"

20:21: The Truth About Insurance Companies

SERIES: Role of the Non-Profit

 

"You cannot approach a community without respecting in full who they are and their autonomy. If you can't approach it that way, it's going to come off as ingenuine, and they're going to read it right away, and that disengages people right off the bat." -Alma Bowen

 

Episode Description: 

In the event of a disaster, first responders receive calls beyond number, but only a small fraction of these come from communities that need help the most. Oftentimes, they are the last to receive assistance because of language barriers, documentation issues, disabilities, and lack of technical knowledge. Hence, this episode focuses on helping 3 of the most vulnerable groups build resiliency: the Latin X community, seniors, and undocumented immigrants. Tune in as Jennifer and Alma Bowen, the CEO and Founder of Nuestra Comunidad, discuss the best practices and most appropriate approaches to bring the culture of preparedness and resiliency into these communities. They talk about practical steps to address problems in communicating information, creating an alert system, power outage, evacuation plans, and transportation. In addition to helping communities, hear how Alma and her team launched a special project on training the younger generations to become Preparedness Ambassadors. As a former 9-1-1 Emergency Services Dispatcher, Alma also shares how first responders can cope up with personal losses and trauma as they continue to serve the community. Join the conversation and discover ways to strengthen your capacity to serve!  

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Highlights:

05:12: A Life-Altering Night  

13:52: Helping the Vulnerable Population 

25:07: Training Young "Preparedness Ambassadors"  

30:06: Acknowledging the Bigger Problems 

36:18: Meeting the Needs of the  Undocumented Population 

44:38: Helping the Senior Population

50:05 Building Capacity 

53:04: How to Serve  

SERIES: Role of Agriculture

 

"You do have to bring in some science and some education. But there is something that people who have this generational knowledge can teach." -Algeo Che Casul 

 

Episode Description: 

The majority of wildlands are privately owned. This fact can help us understand the extent of our impact as landowners and as neighbors. In order to see changes, we need to support each other and promote responsible land management practices. This week, we are going back to the past to discover how our ancestors protected their lands from fire.  As a 7th generation landowner in Sonoma, Algeo Che Casul shares practical wisdom on land stewardship passed on to him by his great grandfathers. Jennifer and Che, his middle name but also his moniker, talk about fire mitigation practices such as keeping the land healthy, employing natural grazers, and using prescribed fires to prevent bigger, more destructive fires in the future. Che also shares how he became a resiliency hub for himself, his family, and his neighbors. The greatest inheritance we can give our children is a safer, more sustainable future. Don't miss today's episode!

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Highlights:

03:28 Prescribed Fires

11:48 Education for Land Treatment

16:47 The Grazers Controversy

21:43 Responsible Land Stewardship

25:44 Resiliency Practices

30:37 Priority Checklist

37:18 Fire Forward

42:30 Energy and Equity

45:22 Generational Sustainability