In the wake of the devastating Southern California wildfires, this summit stands as both a call to action and a catalyst for national resilience. The historic fires exposed systemic vulnerabilities shared by communities across the country—severely damaged buildings, disrupted water and power services, severed communications, impassable roads, and compromised fuel systems, amplifying human and economic losses. These cascading failures underscore the urgent need to prioritize preparedness, protect critical lifelines, and invest in strategic, coordinated recovery.

Using Southern California as a case study, this summit aims to establish a national model for lifeline infrastructure resilience and smart capital investment. Federal, state, and local leaders will join utility providers, researchers, and resilience experts to chart a unified path forward, one grounded in interdependence, innovation, and the modernization of policies, codes, and systems that support long-term recovery.