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California Counties Admit Fire Response Flaws, Vow Improvements

Counties admit failures in fire response. New plans aim to bolster emergency management and prevent future issues.

In this image, I can see the cars on the road. I can see four people standing. These are the...
In this image, I can see the cars on the road. I can see four people standing. These are the buildings with the windows. I can see the trees. I think these are the emergency warning triangle.

California Counties Admit Fire Response Flaws, Vow Improvements

California's counties, following Los Angeles' lead, have commissioned reports revealing severe flaws in their coordination and evacuation alert systems during recent fires. The latest reports highlight staff training gaps, lack of clear command structures, and ineffective use of notification tools.

After-action reports, such as those on the Palisades and Eaton fires, have exposed significant issues. Staff lacked crucial training, and there was no clear chain of command. Early notification tools were not used effectively, leading to confusion and delayed evacuation orders. In west Altadena, homes were already ablaze by the time evacuation orders were issued.

The Emergency Operations Center struggled to maintain situational awareness. L.A. County's Office of Emergency Management, with just 37 employees serving over 10 million residents, was overwhelmed. Agencies across the county grappled with outdated policies and protocols for sending evacuation warnings and orders. These issues mirror those identified after the 2018 Woolsey fire, despite promises to improve coordination.

County Supervisor Kathryn Barger and fire officials like Chief Martin have proposed bolstering the L.A. County Office of Emergency Management's budget and staff to enhance coordinated warning and protection during fires. Despite past failures, they aim to strengthen operational leadership and prevent similar issues in future emergencies.

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