Security’s Role in L.A. Wildfires Recovery and Rebuild

  • Mar 20, 2025

In a powerful show of solidarity, the U.S. security industry gathered March 18 for a crucial information-sharing webcast concerning recovery efforts for the Los Angeles-area wildfires disaster.

Access a video of the full presentation here: https://youtu.be/yOF2TuylTg8?si=OU_FeKuVm7_wrHJ9

Hosted by the Security Industry Association (SIA) and coordinated by Elite Interactive Solutions Marketing Director Scott Goldfine — with official endorsements from the Electronic Security Association (ESA), The Monitoring Association (TMA) and PSA Security Network (PSA) — the presentation featured security, law enforcement, local government and construction leaders discussing the current situation, recovery plan, and critical safety and security needs and challenges.

“L.A. Wildfires Info Session: Overview of Security’s Role in the Recovery & Rebuild” is not sponsored or related to monetary or promotional interests or gains. It is a dedicated effort to foster a united public-private partnership in response to a historic disaster and establish cooperation and best practices to deploy when other widescale tragedies occur.

Participating in the discussion (moderated by SIA Sr. Director of Marketing Geoff Kohl):

Michael Zatulov, President, Elite Interactive Solutions, and co-organizer of the Palisades Rebuild group; his and his family’s homes were destroyed in the fire.

Keith Bushey, LAPD Commander (retired); Deputy Chief, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department; also served as U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Colonel.

Randy Johnson, Managing Partner, RSJ & Associates Development Services; Advisor to Palisades recovery officer Steve Soboroff.

Mitch Tavera, Palisades Rebuild member; ex-Police Chief (39 years with El Segundo, Calif., PD). The Pacific Palisades’ rebuilding process is expected to take many years and faces significant logistical hurdles, including debris removal, infrastructure repair, and obtaining necessary permits and resources. Through viewing this presentation, security channel professionals hear an impactful and personal assessment of the tragic and devasting wildfires upon the surrounding communities and learn of the opportunity for interested industry stakeholders to pursue a potential role in the recovery efforts.

“Being successful is dependent on the unity of the community. They must be informed on how the different facets of the electronic security world can help, from the integration side to the remote guarding side to the traffic control side,” Zatulov said during the roundtable. “There are political challenges we need to rally the community to work through, and we need law enforcement support. The biggest challenge is to focus on one problem at a time. One solution is better than a bunch of questions.”

Central to overcoming this disaster and ensuring better tomorrows is expanding the cooperative public-private partnership between the security industry channel businesses and law enforcement. Thus, the panelists strongly advocate for a collaborative effort that also includes other government agencies and developers to streamline the rebuilding process and improve security. For more, check out the link above to the full discussion.

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