In the aftermath of the wildfires, what began as a neighborhood text thread has grown into an influential grassroots disaster recovery network in the state.
But there was always something about the name of the Eaton Fire Survivors Network, because while only “Eaton” was in its name, the group embraced and welcomed survivors from the Palisades fire, which also broke out on Jan. 7, 2025, destroying thousands of structures and leaving 12 dead.
Rebranded as the Every Fire Survivor’s Network (EFSN), the organization is officially expanding its mission beyond Altadena to serve fire survivors across Los Angeles County from Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and Topanga, its organizers announced Tuesday, March 31.
“One of the main focuses has been on insurances, because insurance represents a primary pot of money that homeowners need to get home after a catastrophe, and 70% of L.A. fire survivors and facing delays in underpayments impeding their recovery – to keep up those delays and underpayments insurance companies depend on survivors being isolated and exhausted,” said Joy Chen, executive director of EFSN. “Only by coming together and connecting, collective evidence and bringing it to the public can we get the accountability that we need to unlock the funds to get survivors back home.”
The network started last January after the wildfires, when residents in Altadena began sharing real-time updates as fires spread. What started as a simple WhatsApp message quickly evolved into an emergency coordination hub, with neighbors helping neighbors evacuate and navigate the earliest hours of crisis.
In the months that followed, that same spirit of collaboration scaled into something far larger. By connecting survivors across regions, EFSN helped unlock more than $100 million in delayed insurance payments, demonstrating the power of collective advocacy in a system many residents say is difficult to navigate alone.
The organization represents more than 10,000 survivors and allies and has become a central force in shaping conversations around insurance reform, housing stability, and long-term recovery.
“We are helping survivors shift from victims to civic leaders, shaping the future California where everyone is protected,” said Chen.
Its work now extends well beyond immediate response. Through virtual platforms like Discord, public webinars, rebuilding summits, and community meetings, EFSN provides daily coordination, information sharing, and emotional support for those navigating the long road to rebuilding.
According to recent community surveys cited by the organization, more than 80% of wildfire survivors report worsening mental health since the fires, underscoring the need for holistic recovery resources.
To meet that need, EFSN is expanding its programming with a series of upcoming events and workshops designed to support both emotional recovery and practical rebuilding. Its ongoing Spa for the Soul series, held virtually throughout the spring, offers survivors access to music therapy, art therapy, chair yoga, and mental health support in a communal setting.
Additional community events include youth-focused festivals, soil bioremediation education for rebuilding properties, and resource sessions on topics such as property tax relief and voter registration, reflecting the breadth of challenges survivors continue to face.
EFSN is focusing on both policy and community activation, and getting behind a four-bill insurance reform package backed by the network is set to be heard in the California Senate Insurance Committee on April 22, marking a key moment in efforts to improve insurance availability and accountability statewide.
On the ground, the organization is also investing in connection-driven recovery.
The upcoming Pickleball Festival on May 30 will serve as its primary annual fundraiser, supporting free programming for survivors while offering a moment of joy and community in the midst of rebuilding.
At its core, EFSN’s evolution reflects a broader shift in disaster recovery from isolated response to coordinated, community-led systems of support.
Michelle Edgar is a correspondent with the Southern California News Group.