California fire deaths inform new proposed disaster response for seniors

"That is what we're most anxious about. That is the group that has been most impacted by fires and disasters, said David Lindeman, Oakland-based chair of the California Commission on Aging, which developed the recommendations. The commission, which advises the governor and Legislature, is the state's advocate for older Californians. At the local level, the commission urges counties to pre-designate evacuation sites, coordinate disaster response with aging and disability organizations, and ensure representation by seniors on emergency planning boards."

"On the state level, it proposes creating a disaster registry to help first responders identify people with special needs, restoring aid to help low-income homeowners rebuild, and expanding training for first responders. The brief calls for the state Legislature to provide new funding for regional aging agencies, a long-term care mutual aid system and stronger consumer protections tied to disaster recovery."

"Only a few months after the Eaton Fire, the commission convened to examine what went wrong for some of the most vulnerable. Testimony and case studies echoed patterns seen in other major California wildfires: Older residents were more likely to be left behind during evacuations, cut off from alerts or assistance, and died at higher rates than any other age group."

Mobility challenges, medical needs and failed alerting left many older residents trapped and exposed during the Eaton and Palisades fires; the median age of those killed was 77. A state commission issued recommendations to protect older adults, urging local actions such as pre-designated evacuation sites, coordination with aging and disability organizations, and senior representation on emergency planning boards. State-level proposals include a disaster registry, restored rebuilding aid for low-income homeowners, expanded first responder training, new funding for regional aging agencies, a long-term care mutual aid system, and stronger consumer protections tied to recovery. Testimony showed seniors were more likely to be left behind, cut off from alerts, and die at higher rates.

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