LA County response to deadly fires slowed by lack of resources, report says

"LOS ANGELES A lack of resources and outdated policies for sending emergency alerts led to delayed evacuation warnings as flames began consuming neighborhoods during deadly Los Angeles-area wildfires in January, according to an outside review. The Independent After-Action Report produced by the consulting firm McChrystal Group was commissioned by Los Angeles County supervisors just weeks after the Eaton and Palisades fires killed more than 30 people and destroyed thousands of homes in and around Pacific Palisades and Altadena."

"The report released Thursday says a series of weaknesses, including "outdated policies, inconsistent practices and communications vulnerabilities," hampered the county's response. Interviews with survivors and an Associated Press analysis of available data found evacuation orders for some neighborhoods of Altadena where the Eaton Fire swept through came long after houses burned down. AP reporting also showed similar delays for the Palisades Fire, though the Los Angeles Police Department initially handled evacuation management."

"The report cites critical staffing shortages including a high number of sheriff's deputy vacancies and an under-resourced Office of Emergency Management. In addition, first responders and incident commanders were unable to consistently share information due to unreliable cellular connectivity, inconsistent field reporting methods, and the use of various unconnected communication platforms. "While frontline responders acted decisively and, in many cases, heroically, in the face of extraordinary conditions, the events underscored the need for clearer policies, stronger training, integrated tools, and improved public communication," the report says."

Lack of resources and outdated policies delayed evacuation warnings as flames consumed neighborhoods during January Los Angeles-area wildfires. The Eaton and Palisades fires killed more than 30 people and destroyed thousands of homes in and around Pacific Palisades and Altadena. Evacuation orders for some Altadena neighborhoods arrived long after houses burned down, and similar delays affected Pacific Palisades. Critical staffing shortages included many sheriff's deputy vacancies and an under-resourced Office of Emergency Management. First responders and incident commanders could not consistently share information because of unreliable cellular connectivity, inconsistent field reporting methods, and unconnected communication platforms. Frontline responders acted decisively but clearer policies, stronger training, integrated tools, and improved public communication are needed.

Read at www.npr.org