Congressman Robert Garcia Leads Los Angeles County Members to Demand Answers on False Evacuation Alarms During Wildfires
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Robert Garcia (CA-42) and thirteen Members of Congress representing Los Angeles County sent letters seeking answers to why evacuation warnings were accidentally sent to nearly 10 million L.A. County residents during the Los Angeles fires. Some individuals received delayed evacuation warnings, some received the same message multiple times, and millions received unnecessary warnings. This caused widespread alarm and reduced the potential impact of future alerts, threatening public safety. Oversight letters were sent to Genasys, Inc., the software company used by the County for issuing wireless emergency alerts, Los Angeles County, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The letters request responses no later than April 1, 2025. Full letters can be found here, here, and here.
An excerpt of the letter can be found below:
“As Members of Congress representing Los Angeles County, we write regarding erroneous emergency alerts issued during the recent deadly wildfires. In life-safety emergencies, appropriately timed, targeted, and clear emergency alert messages can mean the difference between life and death. However, unclear messages sent to the wrong locations, multiple times and after the emergency has passed, can lead to alerting fatigue and erosion of public trust. In this time of intense grief, loss, and dislocation, we are working to learn all of the lessons of the past weeks, and to swiftly implement reforms to ensure they never happen again.”
The following Members signed onto the letter: Congressman Robert Garcia (CA-42), Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26), Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-28), Congressman Gil Cisneros (CA-31), Congresswoman Laura Friedman (CA-30), Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Congressman Ted Lieu (CA-36), Congresswoman Luz Rivas (CA-29), Congresswoman Linda Sánchez (CA-38), Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35), Congressman Derek Tran (CA-45), and Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43).
Congressman Garcia is dedicated to cutting red tape, improving government efficiency, and holding federal agencies accountable. As Mayor of Long Beach, Congressman Garcia helped establish the AlertLongBeach system to provide those who live or work in the city with text alerts containing important information before, during, and after a major emergency or disaster. On the Oversight Committee, he works to ensure all government operations are effective and streamlined. Congressman Garcia led dozens of his colleagues in calling on FEMA to honor their commitment to reimbursing California cities and counties for providing shelter options for individuals experiencing homelessness during the pandemic. Last Congress, he introduced the “FLASH Act” Fast-Track Logistics for Acquiring Supplies in a Hurry Act of 2023 to help the Department of Health and Human Services cut through red tape to quickly buy critical medical materials during emergencies—from PPE to tests and vaccines—as well as the materials needed to make and distribute medical supplies. Additionally, Congressman Garcia sponsored the bipartisan Eliminate Useless Reports Act of 2023, which passed the House last Congress. That legislation will increase government efficiency by eliminating unnecessary federal agency reports to Congress, saving taxpayer dollars and allowing agencies to focus on their core missions.
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