The wildfires in Los Angeles are gradually coming under control, as firefighters and other specialists work to contain the blazes. But while workers are continually on the move or struggling to begin rebuilding in the face of immense destruction, what can employers do to help?
The Palisades fire, which began the morning of Jan. 7, has swept across more than 23,000 acres and killed an estimated 11 residents of Los Angeles county. Roughly 200 fire engines, 19 helicopters, 27 handcrews and dozens of other personnel have been working tirelessly to contain the wildfire, which is reportedly 95% under control as of Jan. 28 according to the
All told, more than 55,000 acres have been burned across Los Angeles, San Diego, Ventura counties and beyond, killing an estimated 28 residents and destroying roughly 16,200 structures — creating an insurance quagmire for business owners and home owners alike.
"You've already paid the cost of the insurance," Joseph Balice, counsel in the Orange County office at law firm Haynes Boone, told Employee Benefit News'
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In response to this, and seeing how those affected were left without access to healthcare services, leaders of the healthcare marketplace platform Sesame stepped in to bridge the gap.
Sesame launched its
"We [asked] what we can do to actually make this easier for folks who are going to be displaced for quite a while here, so we worked with our network of clinicians where we said, 'we'll waive all fees, we'll handle the costs of anything required to deliver care here. If you guys are willing to lower your fees or reduce /eliminate your fees for patients who are directly impacted, let's do it together," Michael Botta, president and chief executive of Sesame, said.
Users can select which practitioner fits their needs using the portal, and schedule a consultation through Sesame's dedicated landing page. Eligible providers are licensed to practice in the state of California.
Covered costs include referrals for labs, imaging or specialists and recommended prescriptions excluding controlled substances, which Botta underscored are not being prescribed through Sesame due to concerns of abuse and tracking.
"I don't think this is a short stint, either for the clinicians who are participating or for Sesame as a platform," Botta said. "I think the need is going to be there for quite a while."
Sesame is the newest entrant in a suite of companies like
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Learn more about how employers can and are helping those just starting to rebuild and in need of help.
Starbucks offers workers affected by LA Fires catastrophe pay
Starbucks executives are allowing employees displaced by the wildfires in Los Angeles to claim catastrophe pay if they are unable to work shifts due to being uprooted from their homes.
Sam Jefferies, a spokesperson for Starbucks, told Bloomberg earlier this month that the conditional pay is being temporarily offered to those whose stores are open but are otherwise unable to work "while we work to understand their situation," Jefferies said.
"If we close a store, partners are being paid," Jefferies said. "We're working with partners who have been displaced to give them the resources they need, too."
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How can employers help staffers impacted by the LA wildfires recover
The Los Angeles wildfires have grown to be one of the most devastating events in the history of the region, with the Palisades blaze only at 72% containment after destroying more than 23,000 acres according to data from the
In speaking with EBN's
"The reaction is short-term, quick solutions they can offer, like flexible time off or emergency relief funds," Unger said. "The response is the holistic support that can be provided over the long term, including remote work options, extended mental health and wellness benefits or child care assistance."
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Amazon, Walmart lead charge to pledge millions in support of LA fire victims
Leaders of Amazon, Walmart, Kroger and other commercial giants have pledged support, fiscal or otherwise, to help charities and fire aid organizations assist victims of the ongoing blazes in California.
While some like Amazon and Meta plan to donate millions through partnerships with the American Red Cross, the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation and other relief groups, mental health experts say that assistance can be as straightforward as "offering flexible work arrangements, providing access to mental health resources, and recognizing the unique challenges their teams may be facing," David Ko, CEO of mental health platform Calm, told EBN's
"During challenging times, people often feel a natural desire to help," Ko said.
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Mental health is as crucial as financial aid in times of disasters
Mental health professionals say employer-provided financial aid is a valuable resource in times of natural disasters, but employee wellbeing includes more than money.
"When disasters happen, the first thing we try to do is to regain some sense of safety, security and control," Robin Gurwitch, a psychiatrist and professor at Duke University, told EBN's
Employers can help simply by presenting the resources as an option, whether or not staff members actually are in need of them, and demonstrate some level of concern.
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Three new fires magnify devastation in California, thousands evacuate
Dry weather conditions and high-velocity winds created three new wildfires in California, as the Palisades and Eaton blazes continue to burn but are more controlled each day.
The Hughes fire began Wednesday morning and now encompasses more than 10,300 acres according to the
Smaller but still notable blazes include the 94-acre
More than 55,000 acres in total have been destroyed by wildfires in the past few weeks, with that number expected to increase over the coming days.
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