Accelerating Wildfire Recovery: IEM’s Strategic Support for Los Angeles and Malibu

When one of Southern California’s most destructive wildfires tore through the region, the Cities of Los Angeles and Malibu required an experienced, immediately deployable partner. They needed a team that could lead response operations, maximize federal funding, and chart a clear path toward long-term resilience. IEM was on the ground to deliver. 

The Incident: A Catastrophic Wildfire and a Record Recovery Challenge 

In January 2025, the Palisades Fire swept across more than 23,000 acres of Southern California. The destruction was staggering: 6,837 structures lost and 12 lives claimed. Thousands of residents were displaced, leaving entire neighborhoods in desperate need of a structured rebuilding strategy. [1] The sheer scale of this disaster demanded rapid, coordinated action across federal, state, and local agencies to ensure a recovery that would protect the region for decades to come. 

Recognizing the Need: Two Cities, One Trusted Partner 

In the aftermath, both Los Angeles and Malibu faced immediate hurdles, from managing surge operations to navigating the dense bureaucracy of federal reimbursement programs. Both jurisdictions turned to IEM, leveraging our 40 years of emergency management experience. We rapidly mobilized to provide the expertise and strategic guidance necessary to handle immediate response, long-term recovery planning, and future hazard mitigation simultaneously. 

The IEM Approach: Tailored Solutions for Diverse Jurisdictions 

Our approach was customized to the unique needs of each city. In Malibu, IEM swiftly assembled a four-person team to augment the City’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC). During a critical period marked by lingering risks from the Palisades Fire and unresolved costs from the 2024 Franklin wildfire, our team reconciled expenses for FEMA reimbursement and monitored potential costs related to debris flow and flooding in burn scars. By producing daily situational reports and leading recovery planning, IEM provided the stability Malibu needed to transition from crisis to control. 

In the City of Los Angeles, IEM played a pivotal role in maximizing federal recovery and mitigation funding. Our experts identified massive opportunities within FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) and Hazard Mitigation Grant Programs (HMGP). Beyond the balance sheet, our team supported environmental and historic preservation reviews and built public-facing dashboards to keep residents informed. By collaborating with the Mayor’s Office on cohesive messaging and engaging philanthropic organizations, we fostered a unified, community-centered approach to rebuilding. 

The IEM Impact: Billions Identified, Communities on the Path to Recovery 

The results of IEM’s work across both cities were both significant and measurable. In Malibu, we successfully reconciled over $2.4M in eligible FEMA reimbursement expenses, ensuring a smooth transition to structured recovery. 

The impact in Los Angeles was even more profound. IEM identified more than $350M in project funding opportunities and an additional $650M in potential mitigation funding for critical undergrounding of electric utilities. Furthermore, we identified over $2.6B in HMGP projects, focusing on vital seismic upgrades and flood control.  

Through deep federal expertise and innovative strategy, IEM helped both cities respond quickly and build a stronger foundation for the future. 

Why Emergency Managers Choose IEM for Wildfire Response and Recovery 

• Multi-jurisdictional expertise – Proven ability to manage complex, multi-agency recoveries across diverse jurisdictions simultaneously, with precision and speed 
• Rapid deployment – Capable of standing up embedded EOC teams within hours, providing immediate command-ready leadership when it matters most 
• Maximum federal funding recovery – Deep knowledge of FEMA Public Assistance, HMGP, and mitigation programs that identified more than $3.6B in combined funding opportunities for Los Angeles alone 
• Community-centered recovery – Strategic messaging, public-facing dashboards, and philanthropic partnerships that keep residents informed and supported throughout all phases of recovery 
• End-to-end commitment – From initial response through long-term mitigation planning, IEM stays engaged at every phase to ensure communities rebuild stronger 

Faster response. Maximum federal funding. A clearer path to resilience. 

Talk to our Wildfire Experts →

James Clark

Vice President of Homeland Security and Emergency Management

Email

Leigh Deskins

Director of Response

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Chris Smith

Director of Recovery

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References

[1] California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE). Palisades Fire Incident Information. https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2025/1/7/palisades-fire