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
