SUPERVISORS HORVATH & BARGER LEAD NEXT STEPS TO STRENGTHEN COUNTY DISASTER RESPONSE
September 15, 2026
LOS ANGELES, CA — Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors received their second independent After Action Review for the January 2025 Palisades and Eaton Fires focused on repopulation and recovery. Following the hearing, Supervisors Lindsey P. Horvath and Kathryn Barger introduced a motion directing next steps to act on the recommendations with a focus on accountability, practical implementation, and follow-through on recommendations from the Woolsey Fire.
“Survivors have been holding government accountable from the beginning by telling us where systems broke down, where they were left without answers, and what must work differently next time. Our job is to turn what we have learned into action—and not just for Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Sunset Mesa, Topanga Canyon, Altadena, Pasadena, and Sierra Madre—but for all of our 88 cities and unincorporated communities as we face new and escalating threats,” said Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath. “A recommendation on paper does not change someone’s experience in a disaster. Implementation does. That means assigning responsible parties, a timeline, and the necessary resources behind the work, and being transparent about our progress.”
“The County must also connect this work across every level of government, because survivors should never be responsible for navigating the boundaries of local, state, and federal agencies. We need to know where responsibility sits, where it shifts, and how we make those transitions seamless in an emergency. This review begins to lay out what needs to be done. Now, we must name who is responsible for it, track it, and get it done. Survivors deserve a government that learns, improves, and delivers when it matters most,” concluded Supervisor Horvath.
“The pain and suffering endured by wildfire survivors must drive us to step up and do better—and accountability means turning lessons learned into action,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger. “Los Angeles County will undoubtedly face another major disaster. We can’t control when it happens, but we can control how prepared we are. That means having strong chains of command along with resources and established frameworks in place to respond effectively. This motion ensures these recommendations don’t sit on a shelf. We’re putting accountability behind them, tracking their implementation, and making sure the County follows through. We owe it to our survivors, and to every resident we serve, to get this right.”
The unanimously approved motion requires regular reporting on implementation, including who is responsible, what resources are needed, and what barriers must be addressed to complete near-, mid-, and long-term recommendations. It also calls for a dedicated third-party administrator to track progress and strengthen coordination across local, state, and federal partners.
For preparedness information, emergency updates, and resources in one place, visit ready.lacounty.gov.
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