Connect & Reflect: Gratitude and Disaster Preparedness

On Thursday, February 27, 2025, Woodbury University’s School of Business organized its kick-off semester event, Connect & Reflect. While this event is usually a festive one, executed in Happy Hour style, the School chose this semester to implement a more thoughtful approach, as a result of the devastating fires that plagued Los Angeles in January 2025. In these fires, many members of the local community, including some of our students, faculty and staff members, lost their homes.

To pause and collectively contemplate on this reality, the school focused this particular event on gratitude and disaster preparedness. To that end, the school’s leadership team, supported by the university’s advancement officer, invited Danny Alvarez, Burbank’s Fire Chief, and Eric Baumgardner, Emergency Management Coordinator for the City of Burbank Fire Department, to share some thoughts on how to better prepare for unforeseen circumstances.

Some of the outstanding pieces of advice shared were:

• Maintain solid and constructive relationships. In difficult times, it is important to be able to rely on others and join forces.
• Keep aware of reliable social media updates on your surroundings.
• Make sure you adhere to brush clearing requirements around your home
• Be sure to immediately follow up on evacuation orders. Threats can turn into disasters very rapidly.
• Keep a backpack ready for an unforeseen and sudden departure from your home, and include some items that you probably already have at home.

What to prepare in a bag ready to go for an unforeseen and sudden departure

1. A First Aid Kit: include bandages, antiseptic wipes, prescription medications, and any necessary medical supplies

2. Some basic tools, such as a Philips and a straight blade screwdriver and a wrench or pliers to turn off utilities

3. Your family medications (check periodically to ensure they’re not expired)

4. Special-needs items for infants, the elderly, and family members with disabilities

5. Non-perishable food that doesn’t require cooking (at least a 3-day supply)

6. A complete change of clothing appropriate for your climate and sturdy shoes

7. Personal hygiene items such as soap, hand sanitizer, and feminine supplies

8. Important documents: copies of insurance policies, identification, and bank account records in a waterproof container

9. A sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person

10. Supplies to keep children and pets fed and occupied

11. Plastic sheeting and duct tape: for sheltering in place

12. Cell phone with chargers and backup battery

13. Bottled water – at least a gallon per person for each day

14. Some dust masks to help filter contaminated air

15. A flashlight with extra batteries

16. Cash or traveler’s checks

17. A manual can opener

18. Matches: In a waterproof container

While Connect & Reflect was more thoughtful and sober this semester, there was a great atmosphere. There was good food, and there were ample opportunities to network before and after the presentation. Many of the current and visiting students used this opportunity to establish new career connections.