Following erroneous alerts during the Kenneth Fire and delayed notifications during the Eaton Fire, Los Angeles County Supervisors have called for an independent review of the county's emergency notification systems. The review aims to identify system vulnerabilities and ensure timely and accurate dissemination of critical information during future emergencies.
Questions have arisen regarding the efficacy of Los Angeles County 's emergency notification systems following two recent devastating wildfires. During the Kenneth Fire in West Hills on January 9th, millions of residents received erroneous evacuation alerts intended for those near the fire's perimeter. The alerts, which mistakenly went out countywide and even to some residents in Orange County, highlighted a critical flaw in the system's targeting mechanisms.
Further scrutiny has been directed towards the response to the Eaton Fire, which erupted in Altadena on January 7th. Video footage now suggests an electrical spark in the hills above Altadena as the potential ignition source, currently under investigation. A significant concern centers around the delayed issuance of evacuation alerts for western Altadena, a neighborhood that tragically experienced 17 fatalities during the fire. Electronic alerts for this area were not sent until nine hours after the fire began, while the first alert for eastern Altadena was issued just 30 minutes after the fire's start. This disparity in notification timing raises serious questions about the prioritization and effectiveness of the alert system. The motion, approved on Tuesday by county Supervisors Kathryn Barger and Lindsey Horvath, calls for a comprehensive, independent analysis of the county's emergency alert systems. The goal is to identify vulnerabilities, improve targeting mechanisms, and ensure swift and accurate dissemination of critical information during future emergencies. 'Our board is committed to transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement in the face of increasingly severe natural disasters,' Barger stated. 'This independent assessment will also ensure we are better prepared for future disasters and can act swiftly to protect lives and property.'The motion mandates progress reports every 90 days until the full review is completed, demonstrating a commitment to ongoing evaluation and refinement of the emergency notification process. 'Our communities affected by the Palisades, Eaton, and all other fires deserve a transparent and full accounting of everything that occurred', Horvath emphasized. 'Los Angeles County is committed to understanding every aspect of these events to ensure we are continually improving our emergency management practices and better protecting our residents.'
WILDFIRE EMERGENCY ALERT LOS ANGELES COUNTY EVACUATION INVESTIGATION SYSTEM FAILURE
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