In early April, MySafe:Riverside Executive Director David Barrett traveled to Washington, D.C., as part of a significant national effort to advance wildfire safety and community resilience. Accompanied by Education Director Cameron Barrett, the team delivered a compelling presentation to the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), emphasizing the urgent need for proactive wildfire mitigation strategies.
The presentation was conducted in collaboration with two distinguished representatives from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)—Birgitte Messerschmidt, Director of Applied Research, and Christina Rust, Senior Wildfire Advisor. Together, the four speakers shared insights on community-based wildfire prevention, home hardening, and the science behind behavioral change in at-risk populations.
The audience, composed of physicians, scientists, engineers, and academic leaders from across the United States, responded enthusiastically. The presentation sparked a robust dialogue, with attendees posing more questions than the allotted time could accommodate—underscoring the growing recognition that wildfire preparedness is a public health and national safety issue.
Capitol Hill Meetings and Policy Advocacy
Following the NASEM session, Executive Director Barrett proceeded to Capitol Hill, where he met with both of California’s U.S. Senators—Senator Alex Padilla and Senator Adam Schiff—as well as their legislative teams. During these meetings, Barrett strongly advocated for sustained support of FEMA’s fire prevention grant programs, which are critical to funding local and state-level wildfire mitigation initiatives.
Additionally, Barrett voiced MySafe:Riverside’s full support for Senator Schiff’s newly introduced legislation, FIREWALL—a groundbreaking bill that proposes federal tax credits for homeowners who take steps to harden their properties against wildfires. The Safe Community Project, the parent organization of MySafe:Riverside, is a formal supporter of the FIREWALL Act and is proudly listed in the bill’s official press release.
You can read the FIREWALL Act press release here:
➡️ Senator Schiff Unveils FIREWALL Act to Help Californians Protect Their Homes from Wildfires
Continuing the Mission
MySafe:Riverside remains committed to driving forward both local engagement and national policy that protect lives, homes, and communities from wildfire. Through partnerships with federal agencies, scientific leaders, and elected officials, the organization continues to elevate the importance of wildfire preparedness in an era of growing climate risk.
Stay tuned for more updates on our advocacy, education, and community action programs.
