Los Angeles firefighters will beef up staff during future dangerous weather warnings and pre-deploy engines to prepare for catastrophic fires, after also removing nearly 20 leadership officials following January’s deadly Palisades Fire.
Despite being hampered by inadequate communication, staff shortages, and a poor safety alert system, firefighters reached victims within minutes and requested water-dropping helicopters, according to an after-action report published Oct. 8 by the Los Angeles City Fire Department (LAFD).
Twelve people died in the catastrophic blaze that started Jan. 7, destroying more than 6,800 homes and buildings in Pacific Palisades and Malibu.
The review issued by officials this week details actions taken during the first three days of the fire, and improvements made to the department since the incident….