Thursday, March 20, 2025

Eaton Fire Collaborative Focused on Recovery and Rebuilding Local Community

By ANDRÈ COLEMAN, Managing Editor

Members of the Eaton Fire Collaborative held a press conference at the Rose Bowl to talk about efforts to rebuild homes and community in the wake of the destructive Eaton Fire which destroyed homes in Altadena and Pasadena.

The destructive fire burned more than 9,000 structures, left 17 people dead and scorched 14,000 acres.

Former Pasadena Police Deputy Chief Darryl Qualls said the collaborative was born shortly after a fire. Qualls received calls from Muir Alumni Jill Hawkins and Muir Principal Lawton Gray and Phil Knapp, who told him they were doing a distribution center at Pasadena City College.

“I went out there and, man, we had all this stuff coming in,” Qualls to Pasadena Now. “I mean, from all over the place. So we started putting it together, starting sorting it and started getting the word out.”

Days later, the center was closed because many of the people in need had left the area, and items were placed in storage.

But the group was just beginning.

“We we’re like, we’re done. What do we do now?”

The group decided to keep meeting, and soon others joined the effort and today the group is made of key stakeholders in Altadena and Pasadena, including Pasadena Educational Foundation, Pasadena Jaycees, Pasadena Police Department, My Tribe RISE, Pasadena Tournament of Roses, the Pasadena Unified School District, the John Muir Alumni Association and the City of Pasadena.

There are others as well. In total, the collaborative is made up of more than 80 community groups, nonprofits, and city, county, and state officials.

On Wednesday, the collaborative highlighted its mission, key partnerships, and the formation of a long-term recovery group to ensure a coordinated, community-driven response.

The group has been meeting weekly behind the scenes to establish a coordinated and effective approach to disaster recovery for two months.

Its mission is dedicated to honoring the beauty, resilience and integrity of Altadena, Pasadena, and Sierra Madre.

“The beautiful city of Altadena is where I grew up and spent many great years of my life,” said Pamela Smith, project manager at MBI Media. “Although I wasn’t directly affected by the fire, seeing so many people I know and love suffering inspired me to find ways to help. I was honored when Jill Hawkins reached out to tell me about a group she was organizing to assist with long-term recovery. Our goal is to ensure that Altadena is not forgotten and to address both immediate and long-term needs. The ‘Eaton Fire Collaborative’ is here for the long haul.”

The group has launched eatonfirecollaborative.org, which serves as a vetted, go-to source for vital recovery information. A master calendar and donation distribution file that serves as a centralized system to promote events, streamline donation efforts, and provide essential forms.

The collaboration has also launched the Eaton Fire volunteer hub where organizations can coordinate volunteer efforts, and individuals can sign up for opportunities to make a meaningful impact.

Efforts are also being made to prevent duplication of efforts, reduce strain on government resources, and address logistical concerns such as traffic and waste management.

A long-term group structure is in development that consolidates knowledge and resources to comprehensively support residents and businesses throughout the recovery process, making rebuilding more accessible to all.

“It started with four people in a parking lot,” Qualls said. “And it’s grown to all of this.”

For more information, visit www.eatonfirecollaborative.org; or email eatonfirecollaborative@gmail.com