#Tags: #LosAngelesDisasterRegistry #DisabilityEmergencyPlanning #EatonFireResponse #DisabledEvacuation #EmergencyPreparedness #FalseSecurity #LAWildfireRegistry #ElderlyDisasterAssistance<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following the deadly Eaton Fire in Altadena<\/strong>, Los Angeles County officials are exploring the idea of launching a disaster registry<\/strong> aimed at assisting disabled and elderly residents during emergencies. A feasibility study is underway to assess whether such a system could improve emergency response and save lives. However, disability rights groups are raising red flags over the proposal\u2019s effectiveness and potential for giving residents a false sense of security<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Supporters of the registry cite data showing that a significant portion of wildfire fatalities involved people with limited mobility. Advocates say this highlights a serious gap in emergency planning. For example, Anthony Mitchell Sr., an amputee in a wheelchair, and his son with cerebral palsy were among 18 killed<\/strong> in January\u2019s fire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who represents the affected region, proposed the study to explore better support mechanisms for at-risk residents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite good intentions, many disability advocacy groups strongly oppose disaster registries<\/strong>. According to critics, these lists imply that registering guarantees help\u2014when in practice, most registrants receive little to no assistance during real disasters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThey\u2019re ineffective and offer false hope,\u201d said Maria Town of the American Association of People with Disabilities. \u201cPeople think they\u2019re safe because they signed up\u2014but that help rarely comes.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n During Hurricane Harvey in Texas<\/strong>, fewer than 5% of those registered for emergency aid were contacted. Very few received evacuation assistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Across the U.S., states like Florida, North Carolina, and Oregon<\/strong> have implemented similar registries\u2014but with significant limitations:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The California Governor\u2019s Office of Emergency Services discourages registry use<\/strong>, citing privacy issues and potential delays in data processing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rather than relying on data lists, advocates say the real need is tangible emergency transport plans<\/strong> for people with mobility challenges. June Kailes, a Los Angeles-based disability advocate, stressed the importance of transportation logistics<\/strong>, not just registration. She pointed to the story of Galen Buckwalter<\/strong>, a paralyzed man who evacuated during the Eaton Fire by driving his motorized wheelchair a mile in the dark because no service could reach him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This isn\u2019t L.A.\u2019s first attempt. In 2016, the county discontinued its \u201cSpecific Needs Awareness Planning\u201d registry due to poor performance and low returns. Registered individuals were migrated to the broader \u201cAlert LA County\u201d system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Still, officials like Victoria Jump<\/strong> from the Aging & Disabilities Department remain open to exploring new versions of the idea. Her ongoing feasibility study will be presented to the Board of Supervisors this month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Advocates stress that the conversation should not center solely on collecting names<\/strong> but on coordinating meaningful action<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo one wants to create false hope,\u201d said Hilary Norton of FASTLinkDTLA. \u201cBut if we don\u2019t ask these questions now, we risk leaving the most vulnerable behind in the next disaster.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n As climate change increases the frequency and severity of natural disasters<\/strong>, the stakes for effective emergency preparedness\u2014and the inclusion of disabled residents in planning\u2014have never been higher.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" #Tags: #LosAngelesDisasterRegistry #DisabilityEmergencyPlanning #EatonFireResponse #DisabledEvacuation #EmergencyPreparedness #FalseSecurity #LAWildfireRegistry #ElderlyDisasterAssistance L.A. Considers Disaster Registry After Wildfire Tragedies Following the deadly Eaton Fire in Altadena, Los Angeles County officials are exploring the idea of launching a disaster registry aimed at assisting disabled and elderly residents during emergencies. A feasibility study is underway to assess whether such a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"saved_in_kubio":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2060","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportpro.cc\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2060","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportpro.cc\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportpro.cc\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportpro.cc\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportpro.cc\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2060"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/sportpro.cc\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2060\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2061,"href":"https:\/\/sportpro.cc\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2060\/revisions\/2061"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportpro.cc\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2060"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportpro.cc\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2060"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportpro.cc\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2060"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\n\n\n\nWhy a Registry? One-Third of Fire Victims Had Mobility Challenges<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nDisability Advocates Say Registries Give False Reassurance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nOther States Show Mixed Results and Long Delays<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nAdvocates Call for Better Transportation and Evacuation Planning<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nLos Angeles Previously Tried and Abandoned a Similar Registry<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nLooking Ahead: Balancing Risk, Hope, and Reality<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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