Block Captains: From Sonoma to Los Angeles

“The Block Captain System: Community-Led Recovery After Fire”

This engaging session features Jeff Okrepkie, a survivor of the 2017 Tubbs Fire and co-founder of Coffey Strong, alongside fellow community leaders Brad Sherwood, Darragh Danton, Steve Rahmn, and Patty Ratermann. Together, they share how local residents organized through the Block Captain System—a grassroots network that connects neighbors, rebuilds trust, and accelerates disaster recovery. The discussion explores how survivors from Sonoma County, Pacific Palisades, and Altadena built community resilience, fostered leadership, and used technology and compassion to support long-term recovery. The panel highlights the power of everyday people stepping up after disaster to lead, heal, and rebuild together.

 

 

Brad Sherwood
Brad Sherwood and his family are 2017 Tubbs Fire survivors. The Sherwood family lost their home, personal possessions, including their family pets, in the early morning of October 9, 2017. Brad is also the assistant general manager of the Sonoma County Water Agency. He helped his community rebuild by co-founding a non-profit called the Mark West Area Community Fund, developed a block captain program to share rebuild information, and developed a home rebuild program that resulted in more than 200 of his neighbors being able to rebuild together. His community non-profit is now building a new community park on the lot of a former preschool that did not rebuild after the Tubbs Fire. Brad also assisted with improving public infrastructure in the burn zone including undergrounding power lines, converting septic systems to sewer and the installation of new sidewalks.

 

Steve Rahmn
Steve Rahmn grew up in Santa Monica before moving to Santa Rosa in 1986, a place he has proudly called home ever since. Over the years, he built a life in the North Bay, raising a family and establishing himself as a respected professional in the electrical industry. With over 35 years of experience, Steve has dedicated his career to powering homes and businesses in his community. Today, he serves as a partner at Firebrand Electric. His extensive experience has been instrumental in addressing the evolving electrical needs of his community. In 2017, Steve and his family were profoundly impacted when they lost their home in the devastating Tubbs Fire. Experiencing firsthand the trauma and challenges of starting over, he gained a deep understanding of what it means to rebuild—not just structures, but lives. This personal journey has fueled his passion for community service, inspiring him to use his experiences to help others recover and thrive. As a former president and founding member of Coffey Strong, he has played a pivotal role in helping neighbors in Coffey Park, fostering a spirit of resilience and mutual support in times of need. Through resilience, expertise, and a heartfelt commitment to service, Steve continues to make a meaningful impact in Santa Rosa and beyond.

 

Darragh Danton
Darragh is a founding and core member of Team Palisades. Darragh also serves as a Neighborhood Representative for the Lower Marquez neighborhood in Pacific Palisades, where she’s been a resident for 25 years. She is a total-loss survivor and is dedicated to assisting her neighbors rebuild their beloved community after the devastation of the Palisades Fire. Prior to her work with Team Palisades, Darragh pursued a career in film and television production and always strives to infuse creativity into her endeavors.

 

Patty Ratermann
Patty Ratermann is the co-founder and CEO of PostFire, a wildfire recovery organization built by and for survivors. After losing her home in the Eaton Fire, Patty helped launch PostFire to close the information and access gaps she experienced firsthand, building scalable, trauma-informed systems that support survivors from day one through full rebuild. With a background in operations and systems strategy, Patty has led growth and infrastructure for high-impact startups across healthcare, fintech, and agriculture. At PostFire, she applies that expertise to develop tools that restore agency and dignity to those navigating disaster recovery, ensuring survivors are not just served, but seen, heard, and equipped to rebuild on their own terms.

 

Jeff Okrepkie
Jeff Okrepkie’s leadership journey exemplifies the importance of collaboration and preparedness in the face of disaster. As an insurance producer and community leader, Jeff’s life took a dramatic turn when the Tubbs Fire, one of California’s most destructive wildfires, ravaged his Coffey Park neighborhood in 2017. In response, Jeff founded Coffey Strong, a non-profit organization dedicated to uniting the community in the recovery and rebuilding efforts. This initiative showcased his ability to lead and collaborate effectively, bringing together residents, government entities, and various organizations to navigate the aftermath of the fire. This experience, combined with his roles on various boards and commissions, positioned him as a strong city council candidate who understands the challenges and needs of the community. His election to the Santa Rosa City Council in 2022 is a testament to his dedication to public service and his ability to turn a personal tragedy into an opportunity to serve and improve his community.