BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM
As wildfires tore through Los Angeles in January 2025, social media lit up with stories of neighborly kindness and selflessness. Hollywood celebrities clearing roads and fundraising for victims grabbed headlines, but the real heart of the response lay in the quieter acts of heroism: strangers helping older neighbors to safety, volunteers using trailers to evacuate horses, and local businesses opening their doors so evacuees could shower or charge their phones.
These grassroots efforts are no anomaly. Decades of research show that in nearly every disaster, from earthquakes to terrorist attacks, it is local residents—not outside organizations—who play the most immediate and crucial roles in rescue and recovery.
The power of community response
When disaster overwhelms official resources, it is ordinary people who step in to fill the gap. The University of Delaware’s Disaster Research Center has spent over sixty years studying the social aspects of disaster response, and time and time again, the findings are clear: community-led efforts save lives and rebuild neighborhoods long before outside aid arrives.
We often think of disaster response as something managed by emergency agencies, but in reality, it’s the people already on the ground—friends, neighbors, and community groups—who are best positioned to act quickly.
The scale of civilian involvement can be astonishing. After the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, more than 6,800 volunteers worked with the Red Cross. When an earthquake struck Kobe, Japan, that same year, volunteers logged over a million person-days of response work.
In the wake of the 9/11 attacks, local boat owners in New York Harbor conducted an impromptu evacuation of 500,000 people—most of them complete strangers—using tugboats, ferries, and tour boats. Nearly a thousand individuals were officially recognized for their efforts, yet countless others simply helped without seeking acknowledgment.
How to help effectively in a disaster
The urge to help in times of crisis is natural, but experts caution that not all aid is useful. Disasters often see an influx of well-intentioned but untrained volunteers and unsolicited donations, which can clog already overwhelmed systems.
Communities need support, but they need the right kind of support. Instead of showing up without a plan, consider donating to trusted organizations or offering your skills in a coordinated way.
Financial contributions to groups like the American Red Cross, Feeding America, or local disaster relief organizations allow responders to direct resources where they are most needed. For those wanting to offer hands-on help, it is best to coordinate with established groups to ensure efforts are effective and safe.
Rebuilding takes time—and skilled help
While the immediate crisis may pass, recovery can take years. Many disaster survivors face bureaucratic red tape, insurance headaches, and rebuilding challenges long after the initial event. Skilled volunteers—such as construction workers, lawyers, and insurance experts—can provide invaluable assistance in the months and years following a disaster.
A powerful example of this occurred in San Diego after the devastating wildfires of 1970. Local architects, engineers, and contractors banded together to help families rebuild, with their efforts coordinated by a local chamber of commerce member to ensure legitimacy and efficiency.
As Los Angeles fire victims navigate their long road to recovery, similar community-driven support will be essential. From organizing supply distribution to helping survivors navigate insurance claims, just about every skill that is useful in everyday life will be just as necessary in the wake of a disaster.
Be the neighbor who makes a difference
Disaster response is not just the work of first responders—it is a collective effort. The recent wildfires in Los Angeles reaffirm a truth that has played out in countless crises: when disaster strikes, it is neighbors, not distant institutions, who come to the rescue first.
Supporting these efforts does not always mean being on the frontlines. It can be as simple as donating money, coordinating aid, or volunteering your expertise in the long-term rebuilding process. In moments of crisis, community action is not just helpful—it is essential.
