Thursday, May 22, 2025

LA County Supervisor Barger Leads Wildfire Recovery Roundtable In Washington

LA County Supervior Kathryn Barger via Facebook

Local officials meet with federal lawmakers to address disaster recovery needs

Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger led a bipartisan congressional roundtable discussion on wildfire disaster recovery in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, May 20. The high-level meeting, hosted by Representatives Judy Chu and Brad Sherman and Senator Alex Padilla, brought together federal lawmakers, Los Angeles County leadership, and disaster recovery experts at the U.S. Capitol.

The roundtable aimed to spotlight the urgent need for federal support following devastating fires across California.

“Our communities are still reeling from the aftermath of recent wildfires, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure they are not left behind in the recovery process,” said Supervisor Barger. “We cannot afford to normalize disasters. We must strengthen our federal partnerships to better prepare, respond, and recover. Lives and livelihoods depend on that.”

The discussion, titled “Discussion on Fire Disaster Recovery,” addressed ongoing recovery efforts, housing displacement challenges, infrastructure rebuilding needs, and federal partnerships essential for mitigating future disasters. Barger highlighted the progress the County has made and outlined what lies ahead.

With wildfire seasons growing more destructive, the need for robust federal engagement and resources was a recurring theme throughout the discussions. Participants emphasized that stronger collaboration between government levels is crucial for both immediate recovery and long-term resilience.

Los Angeles County Firefighter-Paramedic Ronnie Evans, a lifelong Altadena resident, shared his first-hand experience fighting to save his childhood home during the fires. His personal account added a powerful dimension to the policy discussions.

The panel featured a comprehensive lineup of Los Angeles County leaders including Chief Executive Officer Fesia Davenport, Deputy Director of the Office of Emergency Management Leslie Luke, Director of Public Works Mark Pestrella, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony J. Marrone, and Director of the Los Angeles County Development Authority Emilio Salas.

Supervisor Barger thanked congressional members for their continued support, particularly their joint advocacy for Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance. She emphasized the importance of ongoing collaboration between federal and local partners.

Representative Judy Chu expressed her commitment to securing additional resources. “I was grateful to host, along with Rep. Sherman, Supervisor Barger, Los Angeles County leaders, and members of our California delegation for an important roundtable on wildfire recovery,” said Rep. Chu. “As we continue rebuilding after the fires, strong collaboration between local, state, and federal partners is essential. I will not stop fighting until additional federal disaster funding is passed in Congress and signed into law by the President to ensure every available resource reaches Altadena and Pasadena, just as Congress has done after every other major disaster in our country’s history.”

The event included members from across the Los Angeles County congressional delegation and key representatives from the House Appropriations Committee. It marked a critical step toward deepening federal-local collaboration and securing the resources Los Angeles County needs to recover and build resilience for future fire seasons.