IAEM-

USA members in and around Los Angeles are involved with the massive and ongoing destruction caused by urban wildfires. Many of our members and their families who live in this region are not only working this disaster but are directly affected by the fires.

IAEM urges support for those working to help their community during this disaster and those who will continue to feel the effects for months and years.

IAEM is sharing these resources.

Local Resources 

• California State Government LA Fire Resource Page provides resources for business and individuals impacted by the diaster, including how to get help, information on Individual Assistance, filing and insurance claim, ways to stay informed, and how others can help.

• California Fire Facts page fights misinformation and disinformation.

• LA County Incident Response Web Page

• LA City Emergency Management Department

• Cal Fire

• LA County Department of Mental Health resources page - Provides vital tools and support for managing stress, promoting resilience, and addressing mental health needs during and after disasters (some information available in multiple languages).

Local Official Social Media Accounts for Situational Updates

• LA County Office of Emergency Management X (Twitter) and Instagram: @ReadyLACounty

• LA City Emergency Management X (Twitter and Instagram): @ReadyLA

• LA County Fire X (Twitter): @LACoFDPIO

• LA County Sheriff X (Twitter): @LASDHQ

• LA County X (Twitter): @CountyofLA

• CalFire X (Twitter): @CAL_FIRE

• CalFire Instagram: @calfire

Immediate Mental Health Assistance for Impacted Communities

• The Disaster Distress Helpline (call or text 1-800-985-5990; press “2” for Spanish) provides crisis counseling and support for anyone in the U.S. experiencing distress or other behavioral health concerns related to any natural or human-caused disaster. DDH calls and texts are answered by trained crisis counselors who provide psychological first aid, emotional support, crisis assessment and intervention, and referrals to local/state behavioral health services for follow-up care & support, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Disaster Distress Helpline page en Español.

• Didi Hirsch is the 988 center located in/serving Los Angeles and the region.

• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMSA) has a webpage dedicated to wildfires.

• Green Cross, American Red Cross, and Vibrant all offer deployments of mental health professionals who can provide in-person disaster mental health/disaster emotional care support, in field settings in disaster-impacted areas.

Additional Mental Health Resources

• Fanning the Flames of Old Memories - An article on disaster trauma by Dr. Mary Schoenfeldt on Jan. 10, 2025.

• Follow the IAEM-USA Mental Health and Wellness Caucus on LinkedIn for updates. Together, we can support one another through this disaster and beyond.

• SAMHSA's Disaster Behavioral Health Resources toolkit includes an array of practical and actionable resources and printable materials, including tip sheets on managing stress, guidance for coping with trauma, and tools for fostering long-term resilience among teams and communities. These resources can help you address immediate needs and plan for sustainable recovery, both for yourself and those you serve. In the days, weeks, and months ahead, the IAEM-USA Mental Health and Wellness Caucus will be highlighting invaluable information from this website as well as working to provide additional supporting resources.

• Listos California - The state of California's resource hub, including information on mental well-being during emergencies, providing guidance and tools to help individuals and communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters.

• Administration for Strategic Preparedness & Response Disaster Behavioral Health - DHHS resources and guidance to support mental health and substance abuse services during emergencies.

• Veterans Yoga Project - Free Yoga and Meditation (online and in-person) for Veterans and First Responders.

• Cards for Calamity - Hummingly has some donated sets for distribution to disaster-impacted communities when distributed through local non-profits, schools or churches. Reach out to jolie@hummingly.co.

• Leading in Disaster Recovery: A Companion Through the Chaos - A practical guide developed by Red Cross New Zealand offering insights and wisdom from experienced recovery leaders to support and connect those navigating the complexities of disaster recovery efforts.

• American Psychological Association Disaster Response webpage - The page provides Articles, podcasts, and publications around coping with and recovering from disasters.

• Ready.gov Coping with Disaster - Resources to help individuals and families manage stress, build resilience, and recover emotionally after experiencing a disaster.

• Administration for Children & Families Resources Specific to Emergency/Crisis and Disaster Settings - The ACF Trauma Toolkit’s “Emergency, Crisis, and Disaster” page provides resources and strategies to support individuals, families, and communities in addressing trauma and fostering resilience during and after emergencies.

Resources for Impacted Residents

• Lyft – Riders in need can use the code CAFIRERELIEF25, valid for 2 rides up to $25 each ($50 total) for 500 riders until 1/15 at 11:59 p.m.

• Uber – Use promo code WILFIRE25 in the wallet section of your Uber app to redeem a free Uber ride up to $40

• Airbnb – Airbnb, in partnership with 211 LA, is offering free temporary housing for residents displaced or forced to evacuate due to the recent wildfires. Submit your information in this form to receive notifications on availability. Note: spaces are limited, and completing the form does not guarantee a stay. Eligibility criteria apply. Learn more.

• Visit Anaheim: People affected by the wildfires can go to Visit Anaheim's official website to find special hotel offers and assistance.

• Congressman Brad Sherman Los Angeles Wildfire Resources - Preparedness Tips, Evacuation Planning, Insurance Tips, Returning Home, Scam Info, and other Resources. Visit https://sherman.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/los-angeles-wildfire-resources.

Federal Resources/Information

• Presidential Disaser Declaration

• Federal Disaster Assistance - Those needing recovery assistance can apply at DisasterAssistance.gov.

• FEMA

• Wildfire and Children's Health Resources - Resources were published on Jan. 14 by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences for the Presidential Task Force on Health Risks and Safety Risks to Children

• FEMA Common Disaster-Related Rumors Page

FEMA Advisories

• FEMA Determination Letters are Important First Step to Receive Assistance (1-14-25)
• FEMA Encourages California Wildfire Survivors to Read Their Determination Letter Carefully (1-14-25)
• FEMA Offers Recovery Tips for California Wildfire Survivors (1-13-25)
• As Coordinated Wildfire Response Efforts Continue, FEMA Encourages Californians to Apply for Aid (1-12-25)
• Five Things to Know About FEMA, Federa and Nonprofit Support to the California Wildfire Response (1-11-25)
• FEMA, Federal Government Committed to Helping Californians During Historic Wildfire Response (1-10-25)
• FEMA Assistance is Available for Individuals Affected by the Wildfires in California (1/9/25)

How to Help

For those outside the region, if you have a friend or colleague in the impacted area, please let them know they are not alone. They may not have the bandwidth or availability to respond immediately, but your outreach will mean more than you know. It may also give them the energy they need to make it through the day.

There are and will be many needs. The following organizations are coordinating efforts.

Organizations Accepting Donations for Los Angeles Fire Relief

• American Red Cross

• California Community Foundation

• California Fire Foundation 

• California VOAD

• Center for Disaster Philanthropy California Wildfire Recovery Fund

• Community Organized Relief Effort

• Direct Relief

• GoFundMe (has a verified list of fundraisers for people affected by the California Wildfires) 

• LAFD Foundation Wildfire Emergency Fund 

• League of California Community Foundations

• Los Angeles Regional Food Bank

• Pasadena Community Foundation

• Pasadena Humane

• Salvation Army Southern California Division 

• Team Rubicon

• United Way of Greater Los Angeles

• Ventura County Community Foundation

• World Central Kitchens

• World Vision

Help IAEM Assist Others

If you know a resource that should be added to this page, please share it with IAEM by emailing dawn@iaem.com.