Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger spent the week in the nation’s capital to advocate for federal support to aid in Altadena’s ongoing recovery efforts following the devastating Eaton Fire. Her visit focused on securing resources for debris removal, infrastructure rebuilding, emergency housing, and long-term community resilience.
One of the key meetings was with FEMA Region 9 Administrator Bob Fenton, where Barger pushed for the inclusion of commercial property debris removal in ongoing recovery efforts by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This would expand cleanup efforts to include businesses, schools, nonprofits, and houses of worship—critical pillars of the community.
Federal Partnerships Key to Altadena’s Rebuilding
“The Army Corps and FEMA have been strong partners in Altadena’s recovery, and I’m thankful for their commitment both on the ground and in Washington,” said Barger. “I remain dedicated to making sure Altadena is not left behind.”
Barger also met with:
- Lt. Gen. Butch Graham Jr. of the U.S. Army Corps
- White House Deputy Director Christine Glassner
- Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff
- Representatives Judy Chu, George Whitesides, Ken Calvert, and others
Discussions centered around supporting California’s disaster supplemental request, which includes County-level asks for funding to:
- Rebuild damaged infrastructure
- Address emergency housing
- Increase community resilience
- Continue direct resident support
Bipartisan Focus on Preparedness and Resilience
During a bipartisan roundtable with Rep. Judy Chu, Rep. Brad Sherman, and Senator Padilla, Barger emphasized the need for stronger federal-local coordination to mitigate future disasters. Topics included housing challenges, infrastructure repair, and funding timelines.
A powerful moment came from Ronnie Evans, a Los Angeles County Firefighter-Paramedic and lifelong Altadena resident, who recounted his harrowing efforts to save his childhood home during the fire.
“We Cannot Leave These Communities Behind”
“Our communities are still reeling from the Eaton Fire,” said Barger. “We must strengthen our federal partnerships to better prepare, respond, and recover. Lives and livelihoods depend on it.”
