Many residents with disabilities are unable to escape the fire on their own. Was the database helpful?

Facing mounting questions about chaotic evacuations, top Los Angeles County officials say they want to create a database of residents with disabilities who need help escaping neighborhoods engulfed by fires.

Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone told county supervisors at a public meeting on Tuesday that ongoing wildfires underscore the need to “create a database to track people who have mobility or health challenges.”

“It’s very, very difficult to try to do that in an emergency,” he said.

This assessment comes as the county faces new review Evacuations have been chaotic in Altadena, where most of the fire-related deaths since Jan. 7 have occurred. Some had disabilities that hampered their evacuation efforts.

For example, Anthony Mitchell Sr., an amputee in his 60s, died at home in Altadena with son JustinSuffering from cerebral palsy, they are waiting for rescue.

Mitchell’s other son, Anthony Mitchell Jr., told us the times He would like to see better accounting of residents with special needs and said officials should “prioritize these addresses.”

Marrone said first responders moved about 500 people to safety after the fire broke out. Some people are unable to leave on their own. Others may have, but it’s too long to wait.

“I’ve heard too many stories of people not leaving during evacuation orders and our firefighters and sheriff’s deputies having to evacuate those people,” Malone said. “People have to protect themselves.”

Supervisor Holly Mitchell warned the region is unprepared for the future, with the county regularly being blackened by wildfires while the people who call it home quickly turns gray.

“We’re concerned about the aging of society – people want to age in their own homes,” Mitchell said. “As a community, we’re not ready.”

County CEO Fesia Davenport said she plans to return to the board with more information about a possible database.

Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who represents Altadena, said she plans to ask for a review of the county’s evacuation policy and emergency alert notification system. On Tuesday, she asked for the name of the consultant leading such a review. Her request came after The Times reported that parts of Altadena did not receive evacuation orders until hours after the Eaton fire.

The plans are part of a series of fire-related discussions and motions on Tuesday about how the county can ramp up recovery efforts. The Board of Supervisors also voted provisionally bar owner In unincorporated areas of the county, evictions are prohibited for tenants who violate their leases by letting evacuees or their pets live with them, and some restrictions on short-term rentals are suspended to increase available housing.

“Now is the time for all Angelenos to come together, step up and do their part to help the victims,” ​​Supervisor Lindsey Horvath said.

The board also agreed to send a letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom and President Trump requesting aid to cover the huge costs of recovery efforts.

“We will continue to work tooth and nail to maximize every resource available from the state and federal government,” said Kevin McGowan, director of the county’s Office of Emergency Management.

Supervisor Janice Hahn said that while she is not worried about the state’s support, she is cautious about what the county can expect from the new Trump administration.

“I’m concerned that the underlying conditions that we’re hearing about may be related to this relief effort,” Hahn said. She noted that she’s watched talk shows where politicians blasted the county’s “empty reservoirs and empty fire departments.” bolt”.

“We heard some very pointed words that if certain things don’t change, we may not get the money,” Hahn said.

Barger, the lone Republican on the committee, countered that she “looks forward to working with this administration” and plans to prove to the White House that the county’s “our demands are reasonable.”

Former President Joe Biden had promised to cover all disaster relief costs in the second half of the year, but local politicians said it was unclear whether that support would continue under Trump. Like other Republicans, the president has harshly condemned California’s liberal leaders for their handling of the wildfires. Trump accused Newsom of hoarding water on “Truth Society,” while House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) accused Newsom of hoarding water. Hints at federal relief Funding may be cut due to state leadership.

“If Gavin Newsom and local leaders make decisions that make this disaster exponentially worse, which it appears to be, are there consequences?” Johnson asked reporters last week.