Six months after the catastrophic wildfires that ravaged Los Angeles, we sit down with Colonel Eric Swenson, the Army Corps of Engineers leader who spearheaded the fastest disaster cleanup in California’s history. Swenson shares the rarely heard, deeply human side of disaster recovery: building trust with survivors, walking with them through their darkest hours, and leading teams that not only cleared debris but helped recover priceless memories from the ashes. We learn about the art of compassionate leadership, the sensitive dance of rebuilding amid loss, and the importance of listening—whether it’s working with grieving families or negotiating with passionate arborists over the fate of beloved trees. As Colonel Swenson moves on to new challenges, he leaves L.A. with hard-won lessons in resilience, hope, and the power of one step at a time.

Resources:

• Army Corps of Engineers – www.usace.army.mil

• Nice News – nicenews.com

• FEMA Disaster Recovery – www.fema.gov

• Heal the Bay – www.healthebay.org

Donate to The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health

Interested in being a sponsor? 20% of all funding goes to The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health, a non-profit supporting the mental health of children impacted by these fires.

Produced by NOVA