027: Day 3: PANEL: Federal Advocacy: Championing Megafire Communities and Raising Awareness in DC

How to Disaster

2024 WILDFIRE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT

Episode Description:

“How you frame your argument is how you get them to listen.” —Jeff Okrepkie

“We're willing to help anybody out that is going through this now or in the future.” —Steve Crowder

“There's no playbook when it comes to a wildfire… Be ready, because you know this is going to impact you at some point, maybe not directly but you will be.” —Kevin Goss

“There is a next step, and we just have to keep moving forward.” —Jenn Kaaoush

Disaster can strike anyone, even those sworn to serve the public. Yet, in the face of unimaginable loss, these community leaders refuse to be silenced. They're taking their fight to the halls of Congress, forging bipartisan bonds to secure critical aid and resources for megafire recovery.

Meet the panel: Council Members Steve Crowder (Town of Paradise), Jenn Kaaoush (Town of Superior), Jeff Okrepkie (City of Santa Rosa, and Founder of Coffey Strong), and Kevin Goss (Chair of the Board of Supervisors, County of Plumas) — survivors who've transformed their pain into powerful advocacy.

Tune in as Jennifer Gray Thompson guides the discussion on the importance of advocacy and building relationships with federal legislators to address the unique challenges faced by megafire communities while emphasizing the value of having a "seat at the table" and the need for continued collaboration and support.

Connect with After The Fire USA:

• Website: https://afterthefireusa.org/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AfterTheFireUSA
• X: https://twitter.com/AfterTheFireUSA
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afterthefireusa/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/atf3r
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuTefxZgWUJkDVoZGZQpxgQ

Highlights:

• 02:12 Purpose: How to Advocate for Your Community
• 04:07 Meet Jeff Okrepkie, Steve Crowder, Kevin Goss, Jenn Kaaoush
• 12:30 The Bipartisan Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act, 5863
• 18:02 Ask a Seat at the Table Where Decisions Are Made
• 23:10 Where Party Don’t Matter

Meet the Panel:

👨🏻‍💼Steve Crowder, Councilmember, Town of Paradise

Steve Crowder was first elected to serve on the Town Council on November 6, 2018. Council Member Crowder was then reelected on November 8, 2022 to serve a subsequent four-year term.

Prior to running for Council, Steve served on numerous Stakeholder Committees for the Town, including, The Beautification, Business License, and Sewer Committee, as well as well as serving as a board member for the Paradise Ridge Chamber of Commerce.

Steve has been a Paradise resident since 2013. He and his wife own an embroidery and shirt printing business and serve the community through participation in fraternal and service organizations, such as the Paradise Moose Lodge, Paradise Rotary Club, and the Paradise Parade of Flags.

Steve and his wife Lori have 3 children and 4 grandchildren and are both heavily involved in the community.

👨🏻‍💼Kevin Goss, Chair of the Board of Supervisors, County of Plumas

Kevin Goss is the Plumas County Supervisor of District Two, which encompasses the largest district in Plumas County, including the community of Greenville. Goss has served as a county supervisor for 12 years and has been a key leader in the recovery efforts following the Dixie Fire, the single-largest wildfire in California state history. Goss has been actively involved in federal advocacy efforts, working alongside organizations like After the Fire to ensure the needs of his fire-impacted community are heard in Washington, D.C. With over a decade of experience in local government, Goss brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep commitment to supporting his constituents through the challenges of disaster recovery.

👩🏻‍💼 Jenn Kaaoush, Councilmember, Town of Superior

As a Councilwoman for the Town of Superior and former Director of Superior Rising, Kaaoush has been a dedicated advocate for her community since the 2021 Marshall Fire, streamlining processes, sourcing funds, and pushing for state and federal support. She has joined After The Fire USA to advocate for fire survivors, supported the Lahaina recovery, and leveraged her experiences as a fourth-generation Veteran and former Diplomat to connect disaster recovery efforts internationally.

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferkaaoush/

👨🏻‍💼Jeff Okrepkie, Councilmember, City of Santa Rosa / Founder of Coffey Strong

Jeff Okrepkie is a dedicated public servant, currently serving as a council member for the City of Santa Rosa. His passion for community service is evident through his co-founding of Coffey Strong, an initiative aimed at supporting fire recovery efforts. Jeff’s contributions to disaster recovery and economic development have earned him recognition and respect within his community. He holds a B.A. in Human Communication from Arizona State University and several professional certifications in insurance.

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffokrepkie/
• Connect with Coffey Strong:
• Website: https://coffeystrong.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coffeyparkstrong/