LOS ANGELES — Emergency alert systems are designed to provide timely information about local dangers during disasters, assuring residents that they will receive crucial guidance to keep them safe. However, recent events, specifically devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, have revealed significant flaws in this communication network among emergency responders, government officials, third-party services, and the public.
The complexity of these communication systems became apparent following the rash of wind-driven wildfires that ignited in Southern California on January 7. Evacuation orders were issued for numerous neighborhoods, including Altadena, which tragically experienced most of the fatalities. Residents expressed frustration over the delays in receiving urgent alerts, with officials from Los Angeles County greenlighting an external audit of the alert system surrounding the Eaton and Palisades Fires.
Historically, challenges with alert systems have plagued previous California wildfires as well, notably the 2017 Tubbs Fire in Santa Rosa, which resulted in 22 deaths, and the catastrophic 2018 Camp Fire in Paradise, where 85 lives were lost. In addition, similar shortcomings were observed during other incidents, such as the 2021 Marshall Fire in Colorado and the recent Lahaina Fire in Hawaii, which claimed 102 lives. Investigating the factors behind the delayed evacuation orders in Los Angeles could take months.
Several residents impacted by the Eaton Fire reported that they did not receive any notifications about imminent danger in their areas. Susan Lee Streets, who had registered for alerts via Nixle, noted that her initial awareness of the crisis came far too late—after midnight when she received a notification about the need to evacuate. Having already made the decision to leave due to power outages and loss of cell service, Streets lamented the lack of timely communication, which left her family vulnerable and unprepared. The ensuing loss included treasured family keepsakes, deepening her sorrow as she reflected on their total loss.
Expert perspectives on the effectiveness of emergency notifications reveal that clarity and specificity are crucial. Tricia Wachtendorf, director of the Disaster Research Center at the University of Delaware, highlighted the importance of ensuring that alerts are not only heard but also understood and personalized for the audience. The timing of messages, especially during late-night hours, can complicate the chances of them being absorbed and acted upon, Wachtendorf noted.
An analysis of the emergency response during the hours of the fire indicated challenges for first responders, including resource limitations and severe weather conditions that hindered aerial support. Reports flooded in detailing burning homes, as many sought assistance; in a single half-hour, authorities processed 17 new emergency notifications. Despite the urgency of these reports, evacuation orders failed to reach the neighborhoods west of North Lake Avenue, where the majority of fatalities occurred, despite numerous house fires being reported beforehand.
An official evacuation order was not communicated to those families until after 3:30 a.m., by which time many were already attempting to leave amidst the chaos. Jodi and Jeff Moreno first learned about the fire through a community app but received no official warnings until much later. They managed to evacuate with only important documents and their family pets, grappling with the overwhelming uncertainty while relying primarily on their judgment during the crisis.
As the urgency for effective information grew, some community members turned to newer technology like the Watch Duty app, which consolidates evacuation and emergency data into an accessible format. This app has emerged as a critical resource for residents needing timely updates.
The process for issuing evacuation notices remains multi-layered, beginning with on-ground personnel making recommendations that escalate through a command structure. However, during major incidents, technical challenges can disrupt effective communication, leading to delayed public notifications.
Residents are encouraged to register for emergency alerts via the AlertLACounty service, which also directs them to various other neighborhood-specific systems that sometimes use different software. Clarity on how these overlapping systems work together, as well as insights into their coordination, remains obscure.
A 2024 Hazard Mitigation plan intends to evaluate and enhance systems where alerts can fail, especially in regions with limited cellphone connectivity, though progress is expected over an extended timeframe. Concerns linger regarding the lack of a systematic focus on public notifications within the existing county plans, which prioritize wildfire education instead. While officials have confirmed that an independent review is forthcoming, many residents continue to express worries about the reliability and responsiveness of evacuation alerts in the future.
