LOS ANGELES (AP) — An external review of Los Angeles County's response to January's deadly wildfires highlights significant deficiencies in emergency alert systems and resource management, delaying crucial evacuation warnings as flames swept through neighborhoods.
The report, prepared by the McChrystal Group, was commissioned after the devastating Eaton and Palisades fires that resulted in over 30 fatalities and destroyed thousands of homes in densely populated areas.
Released on Thursday, the report found that an array of issues, including outdated policies and ineffective communication strategies, severely limited the county's response. It indicated that many residents did not receive emergency alerts until it was too late.
“While frontline responders acted decisively and heroically, the incident underscored the need for clearer policies, enhanced training, integrated tools, and improved public communication,” the report stated.
Critical staffing shortages, with a notable number of vacant sheriff’s deputy positions and an underfunded Office of Emergency Management, were also detailed. Responders were hampered by unreliable cellular service and disjointed communication platforms that made it difficult to share information in real-time.
As the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors prepares to review the 133-page report next week, the causes of the fires remain under investigation.
This review follows similar critiques of emergency alert systems in other California wildfires, including past incidents that led to significant casualties and property losses in Santa Rosa and Paradise.
