​6 Months of LA-Area Wildfire Recovery Through the Eyes of the Army Corps Colonel on the Frontlines

​6 months of LA-area wildfire recovery through the eyes of the Army Corps colonel on the frontlines

The public saw him at press conferences and town halls, confidently speaking about next steps behind podiums in his camouflage uniform, next to city, county, state and federal political leaders. But behind the scenes, as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers worked to clear lot after lot in Altadena, Pasadena and the Pacific Palisades, Col. Eric Swenson was there, facilitating debris removal for fire survivors, forging bonds. Educating. Updating. On …

Col. Eric Swenson Honored by LA for Historic Debris Removal Effort

Swenson, with a distinguished military background including a Ph.D. and multiple master’s degrees from Penn State and other institutions, has led the Corps’ efforts across five states On Tuesday, City Councilwoman Traci Park honored Col. Eric Swenson of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for leading what officials have dubbed the “fastest, safest and most community-integrated” debris removal operation in California’s history. The recognition came …