‘The Public Can Handle Bad News’ – Outside Audit Pans County Fire, County Sheriff and City
Written by 991KBU on November 11, 2019
A massive analysis of the city and county response to the Woolsey Fire landed in Malibu on Friday afternoon.
The analysis was done by the Los Angeles Emergency Preparedness Foundation ..
The group has worked with agencies ranging from the FBI to the City of LA fire department and others … doing post-emergency analysis of how government functioned.
It interviewed more than 60 Malibu residents …
It’s 55-page analysis blasted the county for failing to warn Malibu that its fire trucks were overrun and would not respond to put out building fires.
There was a “failure to communicate directly and honestly with the public” regarding a fire department order to stop putting out structure fires, and concentrate on answering 911 calls for life safety issues.
“This change in (fire department) mission was a major factor in the loss of public trust and a contributor to emotional distress.
Criticism was leveled for poor communication at the city, the county fire department and the sheriff’s office.
“Local residents were often treated with disrespect, threatened or made to feel like captives,” the analysis said.
“Clear, timely and frequent communications are essential during a crisis event”and that did not happen, the report said.
The agencies in general were blasted for waiting to release important information until city council members could appear at news conferences. “Critical information needs to be pushed out to public and not wait for press conferences if it is vital to the public welfare,” the report said.
“The public can handle bad news. All messaging must be clear and honest.”
The report aimed special ire at local officials who appeared at the first post-fire community meeting at Santa Monica High School on Nov. 13, “where the first 30 minutes was spent with government officials congratulating themselves and sharing personal experiences instead of immediately addressing the needs of fire victims.”
report co-author Brent Woodworth tells KBUU News of his biggest concern.
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“I’m concerned that it could happen again.
“When we look at eastern Malibu … when we look at Topnaga … when we look at areas where we still have those massive fuel loads.”
“I’m wondering if we aare ready for it.
“I still think we have a lot of work to do.
“I think we still need to improve our collaborative efforts.”
Brent Woodworth … co-author of a 55 page independent analysis of the city … county fire and county sheriff’s response to the Woolsey Fire.
We;ve asked all three agencies for their responses … to be fair … the report was issued late Friday afternoon and none of the agencies have had time to read and digest it.
KBUU News has produced a one hour interview with the report’s co-author … which delves into the failures … the successes … and the recommendations.
You can listen to it …. at the KBUU website … www dot Radio Malibu dot net.
And we will be highlighting specific findings all this week.
