Chief, Office of Access and Functional Needs California Governor's Office of Emergency Services Mather, California, United States
The Palisades and Eaton wildfires exposed critical shortfalls in integrating access and functional needs in emergency response. This session will explore three essential areas: how government must expand efforts in evacuation, messaging, and sheltering; the role of community-based organizations in fostering a culture of preparedness; and the responsibility individuals have in securing their own safety. Together, these strategies aim to reduce suffering and save lives.
Grounded in real-world lessons from the wildfires, this session will move beyond diagnosing shortfalls to outline concrete steps emergency managers, community partners, and individuals can take now. The focus will be on operationalizing access and functional needs across planning and response systems to strengthen outcomes and save lives.
