County Asks Altadena Residents for Feedback on Eaton Fire Alert System

Los Angeles County is asking Altadena residents affected by the Eaton Fire to join in three upcoming community listening sessions focused on gathering feedback about the emergency alert and evacuation process. These sessions are part of an independent review of Los Angeles County’s emergency alert system launched in January by Supervisors Kathryn Barger and Lindsey Horvath.

Media sources and preliminary government investigations have reported that the Los Angeles County Fire Alert System catastrophically failed Altadena residents during the devastating Eaton Fire of January 2025, contributing to 17 civilian fatalities and the destruction of thousands of homes.

Based on comprehensive reporting, the emergency notification system exhibited multiple critical failures in timeliness, geographical accuracy, and technical reliability at a moment when residents needed it most.

“The goal is to hear directly from residents about what worked, what did not work, and how emergency alerts and evacuations were handled,” states the announcement from McChrystal Group, which is leading the independent review.

The sessions will be structured discussions where participants can share their experiences through both small and large group conversations.

McChrystal Group, an organization not affiliated with the County, will host two in-person sessions and one virtual session to maximize participation regardless of where residents currently reside.

The first in-person session will take place on Saturday, April 26 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Pasadena Convention Center, located at 300 E Green Street in downtown Pasadena.

The second in-person session is scheduled for Saturday, May 3 also from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at First AME Church in Pasadena, located at 1700 N Raymond Ave.

A virtual session via Zoom will be held on Wednesday, May 7, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

To participate in-person on either April 26th at the Pasadena Convention Center OR May 3rd at First AME Church in Pasadena,  please register in advance by clicking this REGISTRATION LINK.

To participate in the virtual session being held on Zoom on May 7th, please register in advance by clicking this REGISTRATION LINK to receive your link to join.

Registration is required for both in-person and virtual sessions.

The organizers noted that these sessions are for listening and gathering input only and will not provide updates on recovery efforts or emergency response. McChrystal Group will not be able to answer questions about those topics during the sessions.

This feedback will help improve the County’s emergency communication systems.

“These meetings give impacted residents a chance to share their experiences with emergency alerts and evacuations in Altadena. Your input will help improve future emergency response and public safety,” the announcement explains.

For residents unable to attend any of the scheduled sessions, a “Community Feedback Form on Alert and Evacuations Processes” is available online covering the same topics that will be discussed during the listening sessions.

The survey can be accessed by clicking here.

“Your feedback is essential in shaping McChrystal Group’s independent review and ensuring that all areas of concern and opportunity are captured related to improving alert and evacuation processes in Los Angeles County,” the announcement states.

For additional information about the community listening sessions, residents can contact the McChrystal Group team at lac.aar.inquiries@mcchrystalgroup.com.