Residents of the MonteCedro retirement community in Altadena are calling for improvements in emergency procedures after two residents were left behind during the Eaton Fire evacuation in January. The California Department of Social Services cited MonteCedro for failing to follow its own emergency evacuation procedures, leaving two women in danger as nearly 200 others were relocated.
According to LAist, the fire reached MonteCedro’s backyard in the early hours of January 8, prompting residents to await instructions. However, state investigators found that the facility’s emergency plan was outdated and lacked specific transportation and relocation details. The executive director, David Weidert, left the facility before the fire reached it, and four of the five staff members on duty were untrained in emergency procedures.
Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies eventually found the two women, one of whom was 100 years old, hours after the evacuation. Episcopal Communities & Services, which runs MonteCedro, stated that fire personnel and staff conducted two tours of the building but missed the two residents. The organization is appealing the state’s findings.
The incident highlights the need for improved emergency planning in long-term care facilities. MonteCedro residents have since seen some safety improvements, including new emergency drills and the hiring of a new executive director, Adam Peña. However, they continue to demand better communication, updated evacuation protocols, and enhanced training for staff.
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