Wildfires are one of the most destructive natural disasters, threatening lives, communities, and economies across the United States.
As California confronts growing risks, the need for proactive planning and effective recovery strategies has never been more critical. The event hosted by the Orange County Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) chapter brought together experts to address exactly that.
Pre-Disaster Planning and Post-Disaster Recovery Presentation Highlights
On April 17, 2025, emergency management and hazard mitigation leaders gathered for the Orange County SAME chapter’s event titled «Pre-Disaster Planning and Post-Disaster Recovery.»
This event provided a platform for industry professionals to share expertise and practical solutions for addressing the risks posed by natural disasters.
The session, which attracted a diverse audience of engineers, planners, government officials, and private-sector professionals, highlighted the necessity of collaboration in mitigating disaster risks.
Carlos Castillo, Tidal Basin’s SVP of FEMA & DHS Markets, brought over 40 years of emergency and disaster management experience to the table.
He focused his presentation on strategies to enhance response and recovery efforts, particularly when dealing with wildfires.
Carlos’ presentation covered several key points, starting with the accessibility of federal funding for states like California to address known hazards. He discussed programs such as FEMA’s Public Assistance 406 funding and the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), explaining their differences and how communities can use them to reduce wildfire risks.
Carlos also highlighted the critical importance of mitigation, describing it as the most effective way to reduce the long-term impacts of disasters. He emphasized that mitigation is both a response effort and an investment in the safety and sustainability of communities.
Michael Yaffe, Department Manager of Planning, and Noelle Steele Anderson, Project Manager/Community Planning & Resilience Lead at Michael Baker International, a sister company of Tidal Basin, joined Carlos on stage.
With decades of combined experience in hazard mitigation planning and resilience strategies, they offered valuable insights into building long-term community resilience. Their expertise spans hazard mitigation plans, grant funding, and risk-based planning, demonstrating a deep understanding of effective, sustainable solutions.
Strengthening Our Commitment to Wildfire Mitigation and Recovery
With wildfires posing increasing threats, speakers Carlos Castillo, Michael Yaffe, and Noelle Steele Anderson stressed the importance of leveraging federal funding and proactive planning to protect communities.
Tidal Basin’s commitment to wildfire resilience is about saving lives, strengthening communities, and speeding up recovery. From disaster readiness and hazard mitigation to comprehensive recovery efforts, we are dedicated to building communities to Be stronger than before®.
