AIA Disaster Assistance Program Updates

Recent disaster: LA County Wildfire response and recovery

Los Angeles County is currently facing devastating wildfires, which have burned over 40,000 acres. So far, these fires have led to the destruction of over 12,300 structures, including homes, schools, and cultural landmarks, marking the fires among the most destructive in the county's history. Tragically, at least two dozen fatalities have been reported and more than 180,000 residents have been required or encouraged to evacuate their homes. With containment efforts for the Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire still ongoing, further destruction and displacement are anticipated. For the most up to date information regarding the status and impact of the fires, visit fire.ca.gov/incidents.

AIA is actively working with state and local chapters to support impacted communities. Check back for updates on how you can help. 

How you can get involved with relief efforts:

• Donate the the California Architectural Foundation: Your donation will provide direct support to AIA members, firms and communities in need, helping them recover, rebuild, and navigate this difficult time.
• Donate to the Red Cross: Provide disaster relief across the affected communities. 
• Donate to Communities by Design: Help provide design assistance to communities in need.
• Safety Assessment Program (SAP)-trained? Deploy to assist in building assessments in affected states (note: you must be licensed in the state you are volunteering in)
• Contact your chapter: If you live in California, reach out to your local chapter or state disaster coordinator for opportunities to support efforts.

Be proactive: Prepare before disasters happen

Don’t wait until disaster strikes to get involved! Here’s how you can support your community:

• A Designer’s Guide to Navigating FEMA Programs: Learn how to harness FEMA's funding and mitigation programs to support resileint communities. Live on AIAU January 16.
• AIA’s Disaster Assistance Handbook: Learn how architects can engage in all phases of emergency management: mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.
• Get SAP training: Become certified to assess building safety after disasters. Sign up for our next training.
• Resilient design resources: Integrate resilience into your projects to protect communities from future disasters.
• Advocate for better codes: Work with your chapter to promote stronger building codes and land-use policies that reduce disaster risk.
• Get involved in preparedness: Contact your local chapter or state disaster coordinator to contribute to disaster preparedness efforts.

Contact AIA with any questions.