A Critical Analysis of Emergency Alert System Impact on West Altadena in L.A. County
Genasys, a prominent provider of emergency alert software, presented an alluring offer to California counties seeking a streamlined method for issuing evacuation orders at the touch of a button. Riverside, Inyo, and Monterey counties, enticed by a more competitive price point and enhanced features, decided to transition to Genasys after investing approximately a year in testing, troubleshooting, and training their personnel on the new software. However, Los Angeles County took a different approach, opting for a swift three-week deployment of Genasys in early December, based on metadata from archived alerts. Just one month later, the system faced a severe trial as devastating wildfires ravaged the county on January 7.
The rapid implementation of Genasys prompts inquiries into the preparation time allocated by county officials for debugging the software and training staff on this novel technology. The erroneous evacuation alert that jolted cellphones across L.A. County on January 9, exacerbating already heightened anxieties, was attributed to a flaw in version two of the Genasys software, as confirmed by the company. Subsequent faulty alerts continued to trigger evacuation orders for individuals far removed from any imminent danger the following day.
As the fires erupted that fateful night, emergency officials encountered delays in issuing evacuation warnings to residents in west Altadena, where all 17 fatalities from the Eaton fire occurred. Shockingly, only one individual from the county’s Office of Emergency Management was responsible for disseminating alerts pertaining to the three fires—Palisades, Eaton, and Hurst—that raged that evening. This individual, who transmitted all alerts between 7 p.m. on January 7 and 7 a.m. on January 8, had never previously issued a county alert during an emergency using Genasys’ alerting software, based on a metadata analysis.
Amidst the chaos of a nocturnal inferno fueled by extreme winds, uncertainty shrouds whether officials overlooked ordering alerts for west Altadena or if glitches in the Genasys system or officials’ unfamiliarity with the technology contributed to the breakdown. The county’s missteps in evacuation alerts have now become the subject of federal and county investigations. Despite the Office of Emergency Management’s reluctance to provide insights into the software transition to Genasys, citing ongoing investigations, the company has assured the county of enhancements to its software following the inadvertent countywide alert.
In a statement on January 10, county officials underscored their commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technologies, emphasizing the adoption of overlapping systems capable of mass notifications to align with best practices. The transition from the previous emergency alert system, OnSolve CodeRED, to Genasys was executed in the fall, entailing a $321,000 investment for one year of the software, as per the county’s agreement with Genasys. While the software can be tailored to suit a county’s needs, officials in other jurisdictions highlight the significance of staff training and issue resolution during the onboarding phase.
Kelsey Scanlon, leading Monterey County’s Department of Emergency Management, recalled encountering numerous bugs in the initial version of Genasys’ alert software upon its introduction in late 2022. While most issues were minor, a critical glitch impeded the transmission of an emergency alert during testing, underscoring the necessity of a comprehensive testing phase to preempt operational setbacks. Riverside County adopted a methodical approach by running Genasys ALERT in parallel with its legacy system for approximately a year, ensuring staff proficiency before transitioning to full-scale usage.
Expert voices echo the importance of thorough training when implementing new alert systems, citing the potential risks of errors in the absence of adequate preparation. William Turner, overseeing Connecticut’s Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, emphasized the need for proficiency in operating alert systems to avert errors with far-reaching consequences. Notably, L.A. County had previously advocated for a lengthier transition period in 2017 when shifting to OnSolve, allowing ample time for a seamless shift.
The management of emergency alert systems entails meticulous planning and execution to prevent undue alarm among residents during testing phases. While L.A. County initiated the first Genasys test alert on November 18, the subsequent transition timeline remains unclear. The county’s familiarity with Genasys’ products, stemming from the use of a different software for evacuation planning since 2022, potentially influenced the decision for a swifter transition. The system’s efficacy was put to the test during the Franklin fire on December 9, signaling the county’s readiness for real-world emergencies.
Subsequent challenges arose when hurricane-force winds propagated embers on January 7, prompting L.A. County officials to issue numerous evacuation alerts related to the Palisades and Eaton fires. Although most alerts were successfully dispatched, two notable lapses— the countywide false alert and the delayed notifications to west Altadena—underscored critical shortcomings. The delineation of evacuation zones by Genasys proved problematic during the Eaton fire, accentuating the importance of meticulous planning to avert oversights.
Inyo County, another adopter of Genasys for evacuation zone delineation, encountered similar challenges necessitating adjustments to zone demarcations for optimal efficiency. County officials collaborate with the Office of Emergency Management, the Sheriff’s Department, and the county fire department to determine the timing and scope of evacuation alerts. An external consulting firm, the McChrystal Group, has been engaged to review the county’s evacuation procedures and emergency alert systems, indicative of a proactive approach to enhancing preparedness.
Kevin McGowan, at the helm of L.A. County’s Office of Emergency Management, refrained from divulging specifics regarding staff training on the new alerting system pending review. Notwithstanding, he affirmed that all personnel entrusted with the system were duly trained, as corroborated by alert metadata. In the aftermath of the wildfires, Genasys’ CEO, Richard Danforth, extolled the company’s pivotal role in facilitating evacuations, anticipating a surge in demand for their software and hardware solutions following the incident.
As the dialogue surrounding emergency preparedness evolves in the wake of the recent wildfires, a comprehensive analysis of alert system implementation and operational efficacy is imperative. The collaborative efforts of county officials, emergency management personnel, and technology providers are instrumental in fortifying community resilience against unforeseen crises. Through a holistic approach encompassing rigorous training, meticulous planning, and ongoing system optimization, counties can navigate the complexities of emergency response with heightened efficiency and efficacy. Stay tuned for further updates on the evolving landscape of emergency alert systems and their impact on community safety.
