018: Day 2 Through the Federal Maze:Securing Resources in Uncertain Times
Former FEMA Administrator and Bright Harbor President Pete Gaynor delivers a powerful keynote at the After the Fire 2025 Wildfire Leadership Summit, sharing candid insights on the future of federal disaster recovery and the urgent need for reform.
Drawing from 15 years in emergency management—including leading the national COVID-19 response—Gaynor explores how FEMA’s systems have evolved, where they continue to fall short, and what changes are needed to make disaster recovery faster, more equitable, and more survivor-centered.
He discusses the shift from “victims” to “survivors,” outlines proposals in the FEMA Act of 2025, and introduces Bright Harbor’s innovative approach to improving survivor outcomes through technology, empathy, and structure.
Connect with After The Fire USA:
-
Website: https://afterthefireusa.org/
-
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AfterTheFireUSA
-
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afterthefireusa/
-
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/atf3r
-
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuTefxZgWUJkDVoZGZQpxgQ