The eyes of California and the nation are fixed on Los Angeles, as the city races to contain devastating wildfires that have already claimed five lives, destroyed more than 2,000 structures, and forced the evacuation of more than 180,000 people.
What makes the Palisades, Eaton, and Sunset fires so overwhelming and traumatic is that — unlike so many California wildfires — they are burning in heavily populated areas.
The devastation is tremendous and not yet over. The trauma to these communities will be lasting.
Hospitals in the city and the greater Los Angeles region have been, and continue to be, at the forefront of this disaster response. They are open, operational, adapting in real time (postponing all nonemergent services, for example), and treating firefighters, other emergency responders, and residents.
This, while thousands of hospital workers and their families have been deeply affected personally — losing homes, schools, and community connections.
It is yet another example of the vital role that California hospitals play in their communities, and the value of their commitment to disaster readiness through constant practice and training for emergency response.
The women and men who serve at hospitals are heroes once again. Their bravery, self-sacrifice, and duty to patients never waver.
With the Hospital Association of Southern California in the lead at the local level and CHA at the state and federal levels, we are working to make sure hospitals have what they need to care for Angelenos, from key waivers and additional staff to resources for medicine, supplies, and more.
We will keep you and your teams updated as we get more information from these agencies.
And to our colleagues who continue to be in the thick of this response, we are grateful and humbled by all you do to care for those in need.
