The Virtual Rebuilding Summit for Eaton, Palisades & Malibu Survivors
Watch the Summit On Demand.
Why this Summit.
Survivors of the Eaton, Palisades and Malibu fires have been carrying heavy decisions for a long time. How do you close the gap between what insurance will pay and what rebuilding actually costs? How do you make a home safer and stronger? And for some families, the most painful question of all: whether to rebuild at all.
When you are trying to rebuild your life, the last thing you need is advice that is scattered, outdated, or impossible to trust.
That is why we brought leading experts together for one focused day. Now, the full set of sessions is available on demand, so you can learn at your own pace and revisit the guidance as many times as you need.
We created these recordings because we know virtual access is essential for many survivors. Maybe you are displaced. Maybe you have mobility challenges or child care constraints. Maybe you just need information you can absorb in quiet moments, without rushing.
Our goal is simple: to make clear, practical, reliable guidance available to every survivor who wants it.
Access to the on-demand recordings is free.
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Session 1: Your Guide to Grants and Financial Assistance
Rebuilding takes resources, and this session shows you how to find them. You’ll learn where to look for grants that match your needs, how to connect with case managers who can unlock additional funding, and how rebuilding programs can become part of your recovery path.
You’ll leave with real leads, trusted contacts, and a step-by-step plan to turn financial assistance into progress you can see.
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Session 2: Staying in Control — Budgets, Timelines, and Planning That Works
Every rebuild runs smoother when you know what to expect. This session gives you the tools to plan confidently: how to compare contractor bids, build a realistic budget, and map out each phase of construction so you always know what’s coming.
You’ll learn how to stay in control from the first quote to the final inspection, with fewer surprises and greater peace of mind along the way.
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Session 3: Navigating Permits and Fire Codes with LA County — Clear Steps to a Safer Rebuild
Permitting and codes can feel complex, but understanding them puts you ahead. In this session, you’ll meet the LA County staff who review your plans and learn how their departments coordinate to move projects forward.
They’ll explain what reviewers look for, what commonly causes delays, and how new fire code updates are making homes safer and stronger. You’ll walk away with clarity, direction, and confidence to keep your rebuild moving.
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Session 4: Building the Right Team — Architects and Builders Who Understand Recovery
The people you hire can shape your entire rebuilding experience. This session helps you choose the right professionals: architects, builders, and others who understand post-fire recovery and know how to build efficiently and with integrity.
You’ll learn what to look for, what to ask before hiring, and how to make sure everyone on your team understands your goals, your budget, and your timeline. You’ll leave ready to build with professionals you can trust.
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Session 5: Rebuilding for Resilience — Home Hardening from Start to Finish
A stronger home starts with informed choices. This session breaks down what the science shows about how homes ignite and what construction and design decisions make the biggest difference in protecting your home from future fires.
You’ll see practical, cost-effective ways to harden your home — from materials and layout to landscaping and maintenance — and learn how to find builders who know how to meet resilience standards. You’ll also explore options for funding the gap between what insurance covers and what true safety requires.
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Session 6: Alternate Building Methods — Prefab, Modular, and ADUs
Innovation can help families return home faster. This session explores building options such as prefab, modular, and accessory dwelling units (ADUs) that can shorten construction timelines and reduce costs while meeting fire-safety standards.
You’ll learn how these options fit within LA County’s permitting process, what trade-offs to expect, and how other families are using ADUs as temporary or permanent solutions. You’ll leave with a clear understanding of your choices and how to match them to your goals and timeline.
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Session 7: Cost-Saving Strategies — Making Every Dollar Count
When every dollar matters, smart strategy makes all the difference. This session highlights practical ways to stretch your rebuilding budget without cutting corners that matter.
You’ll explore how collective material purchasing, bulk ordering, and coordinated contracting can reduce costs. We’ll share real examples of families who rebuilt successfully by working collaboratively and thinking strategically. You’ll walk away with tools and ideas to make informed financial choices and get the most from every resource.
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Session 8: Protecting Your Family — Avoiding Legal Pitfalls
A successful rebuild starts with strong legal foundations, especially when navigating contractor relationships.
You’ll hear directly from experts about key consumer protection requirements. They will explain how to safeguard your project from common legal and financial missteps, covering critical topics such as contractor licensing, consumer protection laws, project financing options, subcontractor payments, and mechanics liens.
You’ll leave knowing how to protect your investment, your rights, and your peace of mind from start to finish.
Sponsors
We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the sponsors who made the EFSN Rebuilding Summit possible.
Because of their generosity, every survivor could attend at no cost. Families who are displaced, overwhelmed, or juggling far too much right now were able to access clear, trustworthy guidance without worrying about one more bill.
Our sponsors didn’t just fund an event. They gave survivors something far more meaningful: a path forward. Their support is helping families close impossible knowledge gaps, make safer choices, avoid costly missteps, and regain a sense of control during an unbearably difficult time.
Thank you for standing with our community. Thank you for believing that survivors deserve reliable information, compassionate support, and a fair shot at rebuilding their lives.
Your commitment made this summit accessible to all, and your impact will be felt long after the sessions end.
