How to Disaster

State Senator Ben Allen shares a heartfelt message at the After the Fire 2025 Wildfire Leadership Summit, highlighting the challenges and progress in wildfire recovery for communities across Los Angeles County. He reflects on lessons learned from past disasters, emphasizes the importance of collaboration and survivor voices, and thanks the network of recovery professionals and volunteers supporting affected communities.

 

Connect with After The Fire USA: 

• Website: https://afterthefireusa.org/

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

• X: https://twitter.com/AfterTheFireUSA

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

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/atf3r

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

 

In this insightful panel discussion, community leaders share their powerful stories and strategies for equitable wildfire recovery. Tawnya Somauroo, Co-Founder, Marshall Together, discusses how her organization supports fire survivors through advocacy, legislative reform, and community rebuilding. Ash Level, Strategic Partnerships, Engagement, & Storytelling,

Altadena Rising, underscores the importance of centering Black and other vulnerable communities in disaster recovery. Paele Kiakona of Lahaina Strong highlights their landmark success in passing SB 2919, enabling counties to phase out short-term rentals and potentially return 7,000 homes to local residents. Together, they explore how community-led recovery can create lasting change rooted in justice, culture, and sustainability.

 

Connect with After The Fire USA: 

• Website: https://afterthefireusa.org/

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

• X: https://twitter.com/AfterTheFireUSA

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

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/atf3r

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

 

Join Jennifer Gray Thompson as she moderates an insightful panel discussion with Christine Kwon, Jen Goodlin, and Nicole Huguenin on leadership and community-driven disaster recovery. Drawing from their experiences responding to wildfires in California and Hawaii, the panel explores the challenges of post-disaster leadership, building trust, addressing gaps in recovery, and sustaining impact beyond the immediate response. Learn how these leaders navigate complex systems, center survivor voices, and create innovative solutions while staying grounded in their values.

 

Connect with After The Fire USA: 

• Website: https://afterthefireusa.org/

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

• X: https://twitter.com/AfterTheFireUSA

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

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/atf3r

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

 

In September 2020, historic windstorms sparked massive wildfires across Oregon, scorching over 1 million acres and forcing thousands to evacuate. Communities faced unprecedented fire behavior due to extreme winds, heat, and drought. This video highlights the heroic response of first responders, public officials, and community organizations, showing how Oregon's communities have rebuilt and revitalized over the past five years. Learn how lessons from these events are shaping fire prevention, preparedness, and resilience across the region.

 

Connect with After The Fire USA: 

• Website: https://afterthefireusa.org/

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

• X: https://twitter.com/AfterTheFireUSA

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

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/atf3r

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

 

At the After the Fire 2025 Wildfire Leadership Summit, Sam Shockley of Amazon shares how strategic preparation, partnerships, and technology have transformed the company's disaster response. From the 16-day response to Hurricane Dorian to delivering aid within 72 hours today, Sam highlights the development of global relief hubs, pre-positioned supplies, and technology kits for power, connectivity, and situational awareness. The session emphasizes the critical role of collaboration with nonprofit partners and local communities in building resilient, disaster-ready networks worldwide.

 

Connect with After The Fire USA: 

• Website: https://afterthefireusa.org/

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

• X: https://twitter.com/AfterTheFireUSA

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

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/atf3r

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

 

In this welcome remark of the After the Fire 2025 Wildfire Leadership Summit Day 3, participants reflect on resilience, recovery, and innovation in disaster preparedness. The session features remarks from summit organizers, a presentation by Sam Shockley, Senior Product Manager at Amazon, who leads disaster relief operations across the Americas. She shares how Amazon integrates logistics, technology, and community partnerships to strengthen resilience hubs and deliver rapid disaster response. The session concludes with reflections on recovery journeys and closing remarks from Mayor Bissen.

 

Connect with After The Fire USA: 

• Website: https://afterthefireusa.org/

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

• X: https://twitter.com/AfterTheFireUSA

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

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/atf3r

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

 

In this compelling session from the After the Fire 2025 Wildfire Leadership Summit, moderator Lisa Micheli leads a powerful discussion on building long-term climate resilience with Abby Ross, Founder, The Resiliency Company, and Jonathan Parfrey, Executive Director, Climate Resolve.

Abby shares her journey from leading Network for Good to founding The Resiliency Company — and how disaster philanthropy inspired her to reimagine durable recovery and resilient rebuilding. She introduces the Resiliency Delta Fund, a new model that helps homeowners rebuild to fire-resistant, insurable standards.

Jonathan discusses his experience helping shape California's ICARP resilience framework, his work on the L.A. County Blue Ribbon Commission on Wildfire Recovery, and his push for local resilience authorities and sustainable funding models. He also offers candid insights on the challenges of resilience hubs, local leadership, and political will in wildfire recovery.

 

Connect with After The Fire USA: 

• Website: https://afterthefireusa.org/

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

• X: https://twitter.com/AfterTheFireUSA

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

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/atf3r

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

 

Former FEMA Administrator and Bright Harbor President Pete Gaynor delivers a powerful keynote at the After the Fire 2025 Wildfire Leadership Summit, sharing candid insights on the future of federal disaster recovery and the urgent need for reform.

Drawing from 15 years in emergency management—including leading the national COVID-19 response—Gaynor explores how FEMA's systems have evolved, where they continue to fall short, and what changes are needed to make disaster recovery faster, more equitable, and more survivor-centered.

He discusses the shift from "victims" to "survivors," outlines proposals in the FEMA Act of 2025, and introduces Bright Harbor's innovative approach to improving survivor outcomes through technology, empathy, and structure.

 

Connect with After The Fire USA: 

• Website: https://afterthefireusa.org/

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

• X: https://twitter.com/AfterTheFireUSA

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

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/atf3r

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

 

In Toxic Trails, moderator Lisa Micheli leads a powerful discussion with panelists Katie Simmons (Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Butte County), Sarah Ali (Managing Director - Philanthropy, R&S Kayne Foundation), and Kevin Goss (Supervisor District 2, County of Plumas). Together, they examine the lasting environmental and public health impacts of wildfire disasters—addressing toxic debris, soil and water contamination, air quality, and the complexities of long-term recovery. The conversation highlights how science, local leadership, and community collaboration are driving solutions to rebuild safer, more resilient communities after fire.

 

Connect with After The Fire USA: 

• Website: https://afterthefireusa.org/

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

• X: https://twitter.com/AfterTheFireUSA

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

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/atf3r

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

 

"The Block Captain System: Community-Led Recovery After Fire"

This engaging session features Jeff Okrepkie, a survivor of the 2017 Tubbs Fire and co-founder of Coffey Strong, alongside fellow community leaders Brad Sherwood, Darragh Danton, Steve Rahmn, and Patty Ratermann. Together, they share how local residents organized through the Block Captain System—a grassroots network that connects neighbors, rebuilds trust, and accelerates disaster recovery. The discussion explores how survivors from Sonoma County, Pacific Palisades, and Altadena built community resilience, fostered leadership, and used technology and compassion to support long-term recovery. The panel highlights the power of everyday people stepping up after disaster to lead, heal, and rebuild together.

 

Connect with After The Fire USA: 

• Website: https://afterthefireusa.org/

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

• X: https://twitter.com/AfterTheFireUSA

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

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/atf3r

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