How to Disaster

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 rev...

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, connectiv...

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, technol...

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 philanth...

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, wher...

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...

"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 connect...

Leading and Healing After Fire explores the personal and professional toll of leadership in post-disaster recovery and the importance of sustaining the well-being of those who step into these challenging roles. Moderated by Jolie Wills, a cognitive scientist and disaster recovery expert, the panel features Clara Bergen, Amy Bernstein, and Adrienne Heinz—each sharing deeply personal stories and ins...

In this powerful talk, a Sonoma County native and Kaiser Permanente leader shares how the organization invested nearly $24 million in post-disaster recovery efforts after the Tubbs Fire. Through partnerships with 65 nonprofits, the initiative focused on four pillars—economic security, mental health and resilience, housing stability, and community infrastructure. From funding the first health equit...

This powerful video presentation highlights the inspiring story of Rogue Food Unites (RFU) — a grassroots organization born from the 2020 Oregon wildfires that transformed crisis response through the power of food and community. From serving hot meals during disaster recovery to building sustainable food systems that support local farmers, RFU has created a compassionate model of resilience, equit...

In this heartfelt and insightful panel, longtime mortgage banker and moderator Tim Carpenter leads a discussion with Lori Gay President & CEO, Neighborhood Housing Services of Los Angeles, and Sidra Goldwater Advisor, Disaster Recovery & Rebuilding, Fannie Mae. Together, they explore the human and financial dimensions of post-disaster recovery—from restoring hope to rebuilding homes and ad...

Moderator Casey Taylor leads a thoughtful discussion with panelists Jessica Pyska, J. Lopez, Laura Blaul, and Karl Flippinger on leadership, collaboration, and the power of partnerships in community resilience. Together, they share real-world experiences from across sectors—government, education, and emergency management—highlighting lessons learned, challenges faced, and strategies that strengthe...

11 The Heart of Leadership in Disasters: Honest Lessons from Years on the Frontline   In this inspiring talk, Katie Simmons, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer of Butte County, shares insights on the power of friendship, trust, and human connection in community recovery. Drawing from real experiences, she explores how relationships and social capital form the invisible infrastructure that sustain...

Day two of the 2025 After the Fire Leadership Summit opens with warm remarks from Jennifer Gray Thompson, emphasizing honesty, resilience, and the daily dedication of community leaders in wildfire recovery. She introduces keynote speaker Katie Simmons, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Butte County, who shares heartfelt insights on the realities, challenges, and hope found in long-term disas...

The Power of Connection: Friendship and Trust in Recovery In this heartfelt closing panel, two leaders—John Smith, Administrator of Maui's Office of Recovery, and Paul, Division Chief Fire Marshal from Santa Rosa—share how tragedy sparked an enduring partnership. Moderated by Lorez Bailey, a Sonoma County recovery leader, the conversation explores the human side of disaster recovery: the frien...

Australian resilience expert Renae Hanvin, Founder and CEO of Resilient Ready, shares powerful insights on how "invisible infrastructure"—the social connections that bind communities—plays a crucial role in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. Speaking at an international forum, she explores how social capital—the trust, networks, and coordination among people—builds true resilie...

In this panel on Funding and Philanthropy in Disaster Recovery, leaders from Napa Valley Community Foundation, Hawaii Community Foundation, and Ballmer Group discuss lessons learned from disaster response across California and Hawaii. Julia DeNatale, Keanu Lau Hee, and Nina Revoyr share how philanthropy can evolve to meet long-term community needs, support nonprofits under strain, and adapt fundin...

In this inspiring panel on Community-Led Resilience, Kasey Earnest, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Malibu, moderates a powerful conversation with Nicole Huguenin, a generosity entrepreneur from Maui, and architect David Hertz of the LA County Fire Brigade. Together, they share how grassroots care networks, community brigades, and local leadership are transforming disaster response and recover...

At the 2025 Wildfire Leadership Summit, Jennifer Gray Thompson of After the Fire USA shared the powerful story behind passing the bipartisan Disaster Relief Tax Bill (HR 5863) — a landmark victory for fire survivors across the nation. Featuring messages from Congressman Mike Thompson (Napa) and Congressman Doug LaMalfa (Butte County), this session highlights how relentless advocacy, unity, and per...

Architects and community leaders from Paradise and Altadena share how they're helping wildfire survivors rebuild with resilience, affordability, and heart. Jen Goodlin of Rebuild Paradise Foundation, Alex Athenson of the Foothill Catalog Foundation, and Chris Corbett of the Altadena Collective discuss innovative home design programs, pre-approved building plans, and community-led recovery effo...

Miguel Santana, CEO of the California Community Foundation, shares how the organization mobilized rapid relief and long-term recovery efforts following devastating wildfires across Los Angeles. With over a century of service and a 25-year history in wildfire response, the foundation raised $60 million in just 30 days—providing direct support to hundreds of nonprofits and survivors. Santana emphasi...

In this inspiring address, Jennifer Gray Thompson highlights the power of resilience, leadership, and community in the aftermath of wildfires. She honors fire survivors, leaders, and partners from across the country—acknowledging their courage, hard work, and dedication to recovery. From Maui to Los Angeles, Jennifer reminds everyone that rebuilding takes heart, collaboration, and innovation—and t...

A moving opening from the 2025 After the Fire gathering featuring singer-songwriter and Eaton community member Aloe Blacc, joined by Kainoa Horcjo, a Cultural Leader from Maui. Together, they share songs, stories, and reflections on the power of Hawaiian values—Aloha, Ohana, and Kuleana—in guiding recovery and connection after loss. Through heartfelt music and unity, they remind us that healing an...

2024 WILDFIRE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT Episode Description:  "We are not hopeless against mega-fires. We are not hopeless against the era of climate change. We can do these things together because we are daring to hope and to help each other." —Jennifer Gray Thompson   As we bring this transformative event to a close, we are filled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Each and every one of yo...

2024 WILDFIRE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT   Episode Description:  "Aloha does not mean hello and goodbye. Aloha has a much deeper meaning of love and respect. Hello to the return of our Indigenous kupuna knowledge and goodbye to the profit-making capitalistic colonization types of thinking that put profit over people." —Ku'uleinani Maunupau   Colonization has disrupted the deep connection betwee...