[EAS] Los Angeles: Report calls for consistent use of emergency alert program by city police and firefighters

[Sean Donelan]

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-notifyla-report-20180828-story.html
Report calls for consistent use of emergency alert program by city police 
and firefighters

[...]
On Tuesday, City Controller Ron Galperin issued a report saying 
firefighters erred by failing to use the alert system during the La Tuna 
fire.

In light of the system's inconsistent use, Galperin's report suggests that 
the city codify a set of standard operating procedures for the NotifyLA 
system, including a description of events that would trigger its use.

The recommendations would effectively limit the discretion of incident 
commanders who may be reluctant to issue alerts beyond official tweets and 
emails. It would also address instances in which commanders are not in 
touch with the city's Emergency Management Department.

"The Emergency Management Department -- and our police and fire departments 
-- work around the clock to keep Los Angeles safe. But we are collectively 
falling short on providing an emergency notification system that should be 
more widely disseminated and accessible to more Angelenos," Galperin said. 
"The city can do better and I am confident that working together, we can 
improve."

The report calls for the city's police and fire departments to use 
NotifyLA in large-scale emergencies so the public knows where to find 
vital information, and isn't left guessing.
[...]