A year ago, communities across the greater Los Angeles area came together to support tens of thousands of people displaced from their homes by devastating wildfires. While the losses were heartbreaking, the moment also revealed the unique resilience, strength, and compassion that we demonstrate through difficult times.
Today, one year later, we pause to remember what was lost and recognize the progress made through ongoing recovery efforts. At the same time, we look ahead, committed to showing up even better in future disasters. Central to that commitment is the role of data sharing in protecting health and well-being, especially during times of emergency and uncertainty.
During the wildfires, LANES was called on by the LA Department of Public Health to support public health nurses deployed to Pasadena, helping them care for evacuees. Through secure access to the LANES portal, qualified care providers were able to quickly access vital records, medication, and other critical information needed to deliver timely care. This response would not have been possible without the hundreds of LANES participants committed to sharing health care and social services data.
Since the 2025 wildfires, we’ve added even more participants and taken additional steps to improve processes, including collaborating with several stakeholders on the best approach to maintain a list of disabled residents who may need help with evacuation in case of disasters and emergencies. This work is ongoing and fostered through sharing best practices from the LA wildfires at major healthcare and community conferences, while also learning from peers across the country.
We’re grateful to be an essential part of this community by providing a lifeline to care, no matter what we face.