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BumRushDaShow

(145,061 posts) Sat Jan 11, 2025, 12:04 PM Yesterday

Company behind incorrect evacuation alerts in Los Angeles says it has added new safeguards

Source: CBS News

Updated on: January 11, 2025 / 10:42 AM EST

The company behind Los Angeles' emergency alert technology said it has added safeguards to prevent further inaccurate wildfire evacuation alerts from being sent to residents amid deadly, devastating wildfires.

The first erroneous alert was sent on Thursday. It was meant for people near the Kenneth Fire, but was instead sent to all 10 million residents of Los Angeles County, sparking panic. Some residents received a follow-up message telling them to "disregard" the inaccurate alert.

Other erroneous alerts telling people to evacuate when they weren't in fire zones were reported later Thursday and on Friday. City officials said they were investigating the issue and are determined to get to the bottom of it.

Genasys, the company that provides the alert technology to the county, said it has "not been able to replicate this error." The company also said it has "added safeguards into the software to ensure it doesn't happen again."

Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/los-angeles-wildfires-evacuation-alerts-genasys/

3 replies

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Company behind incorrect evacuation alerts in Los Angeles says it has added new safeguards (Original Post) BumRushDaShow Yesterday OP

Glad they addressed it. People should check with the LAFD and Watch Duty if they are not in areas of the current fires. chowder66 Yesterday #1

It's still happening Lulu KC 23 hrs ago #2

Kevin McGowan* presser: go to 33 second mark: alerts are not human-driven IcyPeas 21 hrs ago #3

chowder66

(9,947 posts)

1. Glad they addressed it. People should check with the LAFD and Watch Duty if they are not in areas of the current fires.

Reply to BumRushDaShow (Original post)

Sat Jan 11, 2025, 01:18 PM

Yesterday

Lulu KC

(5,277 posts)

2. It's still happening

Reply to BumRushDaShow (Original post)

Sat Jan 11, 2025, 06:06 PM

23 hrs ago

They need to call their IT department.

IcyPeas

(22,900 posts)

3. Kevin McGowan* presser: go to 33 second mark: alerts are not human-driven

Reply to BumRushDaShow (Original post)

Sat Jan 11, 2025, 08:09 PM

21 hrs ago

The alerts are not sent out by a human... they're automated. I got one and they are LOUD. To say I jumped is an understatement.....

* Kevin McGowan serves as the director of the Office of Emergency Management for the County of Los Angeles, leading the hazards emergency management program. Previously, McGowan was the assistant director of the Ventura County Sheriff's Office of Emergency Services. Leading an all hazards emergency management program for Ventura County, McGowan is responsible for countywide disaster planning, coordination, training, response, and recovery efforts.

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