Community Response to Spokane Complex Fires

Spokane Complex Fires were classified as a National Disaster. This is the collaborative response to restoring, rebuilding and bringing every victim home to Spokane.

Year 1: Immediate Relief, Stabilization, and Intake

The primary focus of the first 12 months is securing basic human needs, establishing centralized case management, and completing hazardous debris removal.

• Establish a Long-Term Recovery Center: Form a centralized coalition of local nonprofits, disaster relief organizations, faith-based groups, and county officials to prevent duplication of benefits. This center will serve the needs of the victims with daily access to resources, supplies and organizations. Hospitality, community, and restoration will be the focus of this center.
• Coordinate Centralized Distribution Warehouse: Open a community "Gifts-in-Kind" warehouse to store donated supplies and organize volunteers from partnering organizations and community groups.
• Centralized Case Management: Rely on disaster case managers from related organizations (i.e. Red Cross, VA) to conduct comprehensive intake assessments, identifying underinsured and uninsured households requiring financial or emotional support. Prioritize vulnerable populations, and serving the whole community.
• Debris Clean-up and Hazard Mitigation: Partner with local environmental agencies and code enforcement to safely clear toxic ash, hazardous trees, and structural debris from affected properties.
• Temporary Housing Stabilization: Secure stable intermediate housing solutions, such as rental assistance or temporary trailers, for families displaced while insurance claims and rebuilding permits are processed.
• Immediate Mental Health Outreach: Embed trauma-informed counselors within community centers to provide accessible mental health care to survivors dealing with acute disaster stress.