Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Jimmy Gomez (CA-45) joined Representative Robert Garcia (CA-42) and twelve other Members of Congress representing Los Angeles County in sending letters to seeking answers to why evacuation warnings were accidentally sent to nearly 10 million L.A. County residents during the Los Angeles fires. Some individuals received delayed evacuation warnings, some received the same message multiple times, and millions received unnecessary warnings. This caused widespread alarm and reduced the potential impact of future alerts, threatening public safety. Oversight letters were sent to Genasys, Inc., the software company used by the County for issuing wireless emergency alerts, Los Angeles County, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The letters request responses no later than April 1, 2025.

An excerpt can be found below:

“As Members of Congress representing Los Angeles County, we write regarding erroneous emergency alerts issued during the recent deadly wildfires. In life-safety emergencies, appropriately timed, targeted, and clear emergency alert messages can mean the difference between life and death. However, unclear messages sent to the wrong locations, multiple times and after the emergency has passed, can lead to alerting fatigue and erosion of public trust. In this time of intense grief, loss, and dislocation, we are working to learn all of the lessons of the past weeks, and to swiftly implement reforms to ensure they never happen again.”

In addition to Representatives Gomez and Garcia, the following Members signed onto the letter: Representatives Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Judy Chu (CA-28), Gil Cisneros (CA-31), Laura Friedman (CA-30), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Ted Lieu (CA-36), Luz Rivas (CA-29), Linda Sánchez (CA-38), Norma Torres (CA-35), Derek Tran (CA-45), and Maxine Waters (CA-43).

###