By Jordyn Isaacs
Last week, researchers, responding agencies and private sector data providers gathered for a “Los Angeles Smart Recovery” workshop at the Los Angeles County Community Clinic Association's office. The event focused on how data and artificial intelligence could play a key role in building smarter and more resilient communities in the aftermath of the Los Angeles wildfires in January 2025.
Organized with direct relief, the workshop brought together ideological leaders to address the urgent need for recovery following widespread displacement, exposure to toxic smoke, and the ongoing housing and insurance crisis in the region. Andrew Schroeder, Vice President of Research and Analytics at Direct Relief, led the discussion, emphasizing using data and technology to better understand who was affected, how individuals were evacuated, and what long-term support is needed, especially for vulnerable communities.
Workshop participants represent Harvard University's Mapillary NASA, California Governor's Office of Emergency Services and Meta AI's Department of Public Health, Good, Watch Duty and CrisisReady. These healthcare, geoscience, mobile technology, data analytics, and AI leaders continue to explore how Los Angeles technology can improve wildfire response.
“Most of us are taking part in disaster training or emergency simulations at some point, especially in healthcare and emergency management. This is pretty standard,” Schroeder said.
Available both online and in person, the all-day workshop featured a variety of sessions ranging from infrastructure analysis and disaster preparation to environmental issues and chronic diseases. The discussion also extends to a broader shift in disaster preparedness thinking, moving beyond immediate responses to consider long-term impacts.
This group monitored wildfire progression and identified active fire hotspots for use of satellite and aerial data, including visible infrared imaging radiometers or VIIRSs. These features, combined with AI-driven analytics, improve the accuracy and speed of disaster assessments, supporting more effective response and recovery efforts.
Earlier this year, Schroeder is working with the Harvard Institute for Climate and Sustainability to teach not for first responders, but for professors across the fields of engineering, design, medicine and even divinity.
Harvard simulations were intentionally designed to be unconventional, urging participants to consider a broader challenge.
“It's unorthodox, but our goal was to design simulations that address not only the technical or medical aspects, but also the social, economic and infrastructure challenges that communities face during disasters,” Schroeder explained.
This interdisciplinary focus aligns directly with the goals of the Los Angeles workshop. The simulations incorporate extensive data to create realistic and impactful scenarios. “We have incorporated decades of demographic, economic and infrastructure data to help participants understand how cities like Phoenix have reached it, not next year, but for the rest of this century,” he explained in detail.
This approach highlights the increasing importance of data in understanding and preparation of complex, multi-year disaster scenarios. The workshop aims to lay the foundation for upcoming white papers outlining key questions, tools needed, and important partnerships for disaster recovery and preparation, not just in Los Angeles, but across other wildfire-prone regions.
The consensus emphasized that true disaster preparation includes a comprehensive long-term plan for all stages following the fire, far beyond the initial response. Schroeder highlighted the broader vision behind these initiatives, saying, “If we want to change the way people get closer to disaster preparedness, we must stop viewing it as rescue and recovery. It's really about stabilizing happiness and livelihoods, and for the long term right afterwards.”
