Disaster Response

Ways to help / technical tools / self-care

• How to help victims of greater Los Angeles wildfires

  American Red Cross – Provides food, shelter, supplies, and emotional support. Donate to its disaster relief efforts.

  World Central Kitchen – Chef José Andrés’ teams set up temporary kitchens to serve meals to victims and first responders. Donate here.

  United Way of Greater Los Angeles – Its emergency Wildfire Response Fund is helping those affected with urgent, ongoing needs. Donate here.
  
  

  The Salvation Army – Food, shelter, emotional, and spiritual care and other emergency services for survivors and rescue workers. Donate here.

  Americares – Has launched a rapid response effort to restore access to health services and address the most urgent health needs. Donate here.

  Pasadena Humane Society – Non-profit pet rescue is taking in animals of all sizes for emergency boarding. Donate here.

  Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation – Seeking funds to equip firefighters with hydration backpacks and wildland brush tools. Donate here.

• Contribute to disaster relief

  ASCE Foundation

  ASCE Foundation Disaster Response Fund – Assists civil engineers in addressing disasters and empowers them to assist in the response and recovery efforts and to design resilient infrastructure capable of withstanding future disasters.

  U.S. Domestic

  American Red Cross – Initiatives include feeding stations, first aid, temporary shelter, hygiene kits, clothing, emergency transportation, home repairs, and medical supplies.

  The Salvation Army– Provides mass and mobile feeding, temporary shelter, counseling, search and rescue, medical assistance, and resource distribution.

  Volunteers of America – Delivers initial response services to meet disaster victims' critical needs.

  International

  High Atlas Foundation – The Morocco-based U.S. nonprofit is providing food, water, and shelter to families displaced by the Sept. 8 earthquake, and will assist in long-term restoration and rebuilding.

  International Medical Corps – These first responders are helping Libyans displaced by flooding with immediate needs such as shelter, water, mobile health services, and sanitation.

  International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies – Donations support local Red Cross and Red Crescent action in more than 192 countries. The world’s largest humanitarian network.

  UNICEF – Provides emergency aid, including medicines and supplements for children and nursing mothers, temporary shelters for families, and longer-term support to enhance resilience.

  Doctors Without Borders – Responds to medical emergencies around the world.

  
  

• Mental health resources for civil engineers

  Please, if your feelings are so dire you are considering doing something drastic, seek immediate help. Call 988. U.S. veterans have a dedicated line: Call 988 + 1.

  Disaster Distress Helpline: The national hotline with 24/7 post-disaster-focused crisis counseling – 1-800-985-5990

  Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: Helpline and services locator

  National Alliance on Mental Illness: NAMI.org – 1-800-950-6264

  National Institute of Mental Health: Help organized by health topic

  U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Mental health locations and providers

  ASCE Library: Mental Health in Construction Collection – free

  Caring for yourself after a natural disaster  (document courtesy Lyra)
  

  Coping with a traumatic event  (document courtesy Lyra)

  How to cope with distressing events  (document courtesy Lyra)
  

  Strategies for mitigating stress in civil engineers: ASCE Plot Points podcast, April 2022

  Civil engineers need to maintain a good work-life balance: Wish I’d Known, Civil Engineering, May 2023

  Mindful Engineering: An introduction to mindfulness for civil engineers
  Part 1  |  Part 2  |  Part 3  |  Part 4

   

• Other relevant guidance

  Florida International University Pedestrian Bridge Collapse: Analysis of the NTSB Report

  Performance-Based Structural Fire Design

  Federal Emergency Management Agency – Coordinates and facilitates the U.S. government response to domestic disasters.

  Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance – Leads and coordinates the U.S. government’s official response to international disasters.