030: Day 3: TALK STORY: IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home Program: The Road to Implementation with Amanda West and Mark Vaughn

How to Disaster

2024 WILDFIRE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT

Episode Description:

“We're not powerless. We are not powerless against wildfire. We know what we need to do.” —Amanda West

“I try not to use the word remove. Just move them. You can have plants. You can have a beautiful landscape. We want that five feet for the fire break.” —Mark Vaughn

Wildfires pose a serious threat to homes and communities, but we don't have to be helpless in the face of these disasters. By implementing proven mitigation strategies, homeowners can take proactive steps to protect their properties and create more resilient neighborhoods. It's time to move beyond just rebuilding after the flames and focus on building better from the start.

In this episode, CTEH Senior Advisor Christa Lopez sits down with IBHS Director of Product Services Amanda West and Wildfire Prepared Home Program Manager Mark Vaughn.

Tune in as they share the latest techniques to harden homes and create effective ember defense systems— from the critical importance of a non-combustible zone around the home to the role of building materials in wildfire resistance.

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:

• 00:22 Making Homes More Resilient
• 05:53 The 5 Feet Non-Combustable Zone
• 12:45 Safe Landscaping
• 15:00 Use Non-Combustible Materials

Meet the Moderator:

👩🏻‍💼 Christa Lopez, Senior Advisor, CTEH

Christa López, PhD, CEM is a dedicated professional in disaster recovery, crisis management, and environmental justice. With a PhD in Public Policy and Administration from Walden University and a Master’s in Emergency and Disaster Management from the American Public University System, Christa has held significant roles at CTEH, Deloitte, and the Texas General Land Office. Her extensive volunteer experience includes serving as a medic, firefighter, and search and rescue team member, all contributing to her mission of improving lives through effective disaster response and recovery.

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christasandelierlopez/
• Connect with CTEH:
• Website: https://cteh.com/

Meet the Panel:

👩🏻‍💼 Amanda West, Director of Product Services, IBHS

Amanda West is the Director of Product Services at the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS). With over 19 years of experience at The Weather Channel, Amanda has honed her skills in project management, strategy development, and client relationship management. She is dedicated to enhancing weather resiliency and wildfire mitigation, leveraging her expertise to strengthen homes and communities against severe weather. Amanda holds a degree in Digital Media from Full Sail University.

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-west-3630156/

👨🏻‍💼Mark Vaughn, Operations Manager - Wildfire Prepared, IBHS

Mark Vaughn is the Wildfire Prepared Home Program Manager at the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS). Prior to joining IBHS, Mark spent 15 years in the insurance industry, primarily insuring commercial properties. He then transitioned to working for Habitat for Humanity, where he ran construction programs and built dozens of homes with hurricane and wildfire resilience in mind. Mark's experience in the insurance and home construction sectors, combined with his expertise in wildfire mitigation, make him well-suited to lead IBHS's Wildfire Prepared Home program, which provides homeowners with actionable steps to protect their homes from the growing threat of wildfires.

Connect with IBHS:

• Website: https://ibhs.org/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IBHSorg
• X: https://twitter.com/IBHS_org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ibhs_org/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/institute-for-business-&-home-safety
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@IBHS_org