027: Day 3: PANEL: Federal Advocacy: Championing Megafire Communities and Raising Awareness in DC
Release Date: 10/14/2024
032: Day 3: Closing Remarks with Jennifer Gray Thompson
How to Disaster
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 you has played a vital role in making this summit a resounding success. Whether you traveled from near or far, volunteered tirelessly behind the scenes, or tuned in from your homes and...
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031: Day 3: KEYNOTE: Aloha, Hello and Goodbye with Kuʻuleinani Maunupau
How to Disaster
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 between the land and its indigenous people in Hawaii. The once-thriving Hawaiian land management practice that fostered a harmonious relationship between the people and the environment, has been...
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030: Day 3: TALK STORY: IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home Program: The Road to Implementation with Amanda West and Mark Vaughn
How to Disaster
2024 WILDFIRE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT Episode Description: “We're not powerless. We are not powerless against wildfire. We know what we need to do.” —Amanda West “I try not to use the word remove. Just move them. You can have plants. You can have a beautiful landscape. We want that five feet for the fire break.” —Mark Vaughn Wildfires pose a serious threat to homes and communities, but we don't have to be helpless in the face of these disasters. By implementing proven mitigation strategies, homeowners can take proactive steps to protect their properties and create...
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029: Day 3: KEYNOTE: Funding Disaster Recovery Through a CDFI with Emily Nilsen
How to Disaster
2024 WILDFIRE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT Episode Description: “As the recovery process continues, you have to continue to adapt.” —Emily Nilsen Disaster recovery is a complex challenge, but innovative lenders are stepping up to the plate. Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) like Impact Development Fund are providing flexible financing, coordinating resources, and creating tailored programs to support communities in rebuilding and becoming more resilient. In this talk, we hear from Emily Nilsen, the Chief Program Officer of . Listen in as Emily shares IDF’s...
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028: Day 3: KEYNOTE: Empowering Heirs: Fannie Mae's Program for Retaining Ownership and Returning Home After Disaster with Tim Carpenter
How to Disaster
2024 WILDFIRE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT Episode Description: “Home ownership is about stability. Homeownership is about building wealth. Homeownership is about families. But if you don't have a clear title, you don't know if that stability is going to be there.” —Tim Carpenter Disaster strikes, but for some, the real battle is just beginning. Millions of homes across the US are caught in a tangled web of heirs property— families without clear title to their generational land. This legal limbo leaves them vulnerable to losing everything. Thus, understanding the challenges of...
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027: Day 3: PANEL: Federal Advocacy: Championing Megafire Communities and Raising Awareness in DC
How to Disaster
2024 WILDFIRE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT Episode Description: “How you frame your argument is how you get them to listen.” —Jeff Okrepkie “We're willing to help anybody out that is going through this now or in the future.” —Steve Crowder “There's no playbook when it comes to a wildfire… Be ready, because you know this is going to impact you at some point, maybe not directly but you will be.” —Kevin Goss “There is a next step, and we just have to keep moving forward.” —Jenn Kaaoush Disaster can strike anyone, even those sworn to...
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026: Day 3: TALK STORY: State-Level Perspectives: Future-Proofing Recovery Senator Angus McKelvey and Senator Troy Hashimoto
How to Disaster
2024 WILDFIRE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT Episode Description: This recovery is slow, it's painful, and it's costly. We need patience, and aloha, and support because we're all in this together.” —Angus McKelvey “We have a lot of challenges moving forward, and it's figuring out the strategy of how we're going to approach it. And once you get that strategy, you have to figure out how do we get it to implementation.” —Troy Hashimoto Disaster recovery is not just about the visible on-the-ground efforts - it also involves complex state-level decisions and...
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025: Day 3: WORKSHOP: Paying It Forward: Creating a Community of Practice for Long-Term Fire Recovery
How to Disaster
2024 WILDFIRE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT Episode Description: “Trust is so important to building a community of practice. And part of that trust comes from understanding where people are and where they stand.” —Michael McCormick “Once the scene is stabilized and we start to clean things up, and then there comes a point where we start rebuilding things… and that's when the long-term recovery begins.” —Matt McRae “There are simultaneous disasters occurring at the same time everywhere, and you never know what's going to hit you at that time, and you have to be...
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024: DAY 3! From Flames to Futures: Navigating Wildfire Leadership with Hope and Resilience with Jennifer Gray Thompson
How to Disaster
2024 WILDFIRE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT Episode Description: “It's not enough just to give, you have to always receive as well with the same grace and gratitude and aloha.” —Jennifer Gray Thompson “Aloha is boundless, and we know that Aloha reaches all shores and all states. Even in the most trying of times together, we are one team.” —Mahina Martin Welcome to the final day of the 2024 Wildfire Leadership Summit. We're so glad you could join us for this last session— it's been an incredible few days filled with insightful discussions, powerful...
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023: Day 2: KEYNOTE: Ohana Means More Than Family: Maui's Response Through the Lens of Cultural Values with Kainoa Horcajo
How to Disaster
2024 WILDFIRE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT Episode Description: “Indigenous values can shift how we deal with disasters.” —Kainoa Horcajo Disaster recovery isn't just about rebuilding infrastructure— it's about honoring the deep connections between people and place. Principles like reciprocity, collective responsibility, and deep connection to the land can shape a more compassionate and community-centered approach to rebuilding after crises. By honoring these time-tested philosophies, we unlock powerful pathways to healing and resilience. Kainoa Horcajo is a cultural...
info_outline2024 WILDFIRE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT
Episode Description:
“How you frame your argument is how you get them to listen.” —Jeff Okrepkie
“We're willing to help anybody out that is going through this now or in the future.” —Steve Crowder
“There's no playbook when it comes to a wildfire… Be ready, because you know this is going to impact you at some point, maybe not directly but you will be.” —Kevin Goss
“There is a next step, and we just have to keep moving forward.” —Jenn Kaaoush
Disaster can strike anyone, even those sworn to serve the public. Yet, in the face of unimaginable loss, these community leaders refuse to be silenced. They're taking their fight to the halls of Congress, forging bipartisan bonds to secure critical aid and resources for megafire recovery.
Meet the panel: Council Members Steve Crowder (Town of Paradise), Jenn Kaaoush (Town of Superior), Jeff Okrepkie (City of Santa Rosa, and Founder of Coffey Strong), and Kevin Goss (Chair of the Board of Supervisors, County of Plumas) — survivors who've transformed their pain into powerful advocacy.
Tune in as Jennifer Gray Thompson guides the discussion on the importance of advocacy and building relationships with federal legislators to address the unique challenges faced by megafire communities while emphasizing the value of having a "seat at the table" and the need for continued collaboration and support.
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
Highlights:
- 02:12 Purpose: How to Advocate for Your Community
- 04:07 Meet Jeff Okrepkie, Steve Crowder, Kevin Goss, Jenn Kaaoush
- 12:30 The Bipartisan Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act, 5863
- 18:02 Ask a Seat at the Table Where Decisions Are Made
- 23:10 Where Party Don’t Matter
Meet the Panel:
👨🏻💼Steve Crowder, Councilmember, Town of Paradise
Steve Crowder was first elected to serve on the Town Council on November 6, 2018. Council Member Crowder was then reelected on November 8, 2022 to serve a subsequent four-year term.
Prior to running for Council, Steve served on numerous Stakeholder Committees for the Town, including, The Beautification, Business License, and Sewer Committee, as well as well as serving as a board member for the Paradise Ridge Chamber of Commerce.
Steve has been a Paradise resident since 2013. He and his wife own an embroidery and shirt printing business and serve the community through participation in fraternal and service organizations, such as the Paradise Moose Lodge, Paradise Rotary Club, and the Paradise Parade of Flags.
Steve and his wife Lori have 3 children and 4 grandchildren and are both heavily involved in the community.
👨🏻💼Kevin Goss, Chair of the Board of Supervisors, County of Plumas
Kevin Goss is the Plumas County Supervisor of District Two, which encompasses the largest district in Plumas County, including the community of Greenville. Goss has served as a county supervisor for 12 years and has been a key leader in the recovery efforts following the Dixie Fire, the single-largest wildfire in California state history. Goss has been actively involved in federal advocacy efforts, working alongside organizations like After the Fire to ensure the needs of his fire-impacted community are heard in Washington, D.C. With over a decade of experience in local government, Goss brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep commitment to supporting his constituents through the challenges of disaster recovery.
👩🏻💼 Jenn Kaaoush, Councilmember, Town of Superior
As a Councilwoman for the Town of Superior and former Director of Superior Rising, Kaaoush has been a dedicated advocate for her community since the 2021 Marshall Fire, streamlining processes, sourcing funds, and pushing for state and federal support. She has joined After The Fire USA to advocate for fire survivors, supported the Lahaina recovery, and leveraged her experiences as a fourth-generation Veteran and former Diplomat to connect disaster recovery efforts internationally.
👨🏻💼Jeff Okrepkie, Councilmember, City of Santa Rosa / Founder of Coffey Strong
Jeff Okrepkie is a dedicated public servant, currently serving as a council member for the City of Santa Rosa. His passion for community service is evident through his co-founding of Coffey Strong, an initiative aimed at supporting fire recovery efforts. Jeff’s contributions to disaster recovery and economic development have earned him recognition and respect within his community. He holds a B.A. in Human Communication from Arizona State University and several professional certifications in insurance.
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffokrepkie/
- Connect with Coffey Strong:
- Website: https://coffeystrong.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coffeyparkstrong/