FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 1, 2025
MEDIA CONTACT:
media@211la.org
LOS ANGELES, CA – October 1, 2025 – Days after Los Angeles County’s after action review of the Eaton and Palisades Fires identified shortfalls in evacuation alerts and emergency coordination, 211 LA has released its own After Action Report to highlight a critical but underrecognized reality: community organizations were central to helping residents survive and recover. A summary of the report can be accessed here.
While the County’s report rightly points to the need for clearer alerts and stronger protocols, it does not fully account for how frontline organizations bridged those gaps in real time. 211 LA’s report documents how, when official systems faltered, tens of thousands of Angelenos turned to trusted community networks for help finding safety, shelter, and recovery resources.
Among the organizational learnings and recommendations in the 211 LA After Action Report:
Recovery Starts on Day One: Community organizations began housing efforts and case management within 48 hours, showing that survivor recovery cannot be separated from immediate response.
Community Nonprofit Capacity as Critical Infrastructure: Investing in organizations like 211 LA is equally as essential as upgrading alert systems. Without surge-ready staffing and resources, residents lose the lifelines they rely on when systems break down.
Equity Through Local Partnerships: Independent Living Centers, senior advocates, and grassroots groups extended reach to vulnerable populations who might otherwise have been left behind.
Data and Technology for People, Not Just Protocols: Integrated dashboards and secure document systems enabled faster connections to housing and aid, filling the gap where official communication was delayed.
“Los Angeles cannot build wildfire resilience without acknowledging the essential role of community organizations,” said Maribel Marin, Executive Director of 211 LA. “The County’s report identifies important system fixes, and our report highlights the human impact and community response that made recovery possible. Taken together, these perspectives provide a fuller picture of what it takes to prepare for and respond to disasters.”
The 211 LA After Action Report emphasizes that resilience is not just about better alerts, but about stronger partnerships between government and the nonprofit infrastructure that residents already trust. Read the full report here.
About 211 LA
211 LA is the hub for community members and community organizations looking for all types of health, human, and social services in Los Angeles County. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, 211 LA has served the people of Los Angeles County since 1981, helping residents navigate the most challenging crises, from homelessness to the COVID-19 pandemic to the devastating LA wildfires.
