Sarah Rothrock
Feb 2025
Comment from “happysocal” - “Entrance fees for this place are around a half mil and up.” - LA Times Deliberate harassment of vulnerable seniors and their community (which they call “home”) is not welcome! Statements that reflect financial status of these residents is completely unacceptable and causing unnecessary controversy especially when surrounding real estate is equally priced. It’s devastating how news (valid or not or in combination) is portrayed to get the most publicity. The Eaton Fire affected ALL of Altadena, including it’s residents and their families, businesses, first responders, and government officials, who were ALL chaotically responding to 2 concurrent horrific disasters, 100 mph hurricane winds and wildfires, with extremely limited resources. In response to criticism from the public, please be mindful of everyone who were victims of 2 concurrent horrific disasters. The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living states “shelter in place (SIP) is defined as: A protective action strategy taken to maintain resident care in the facility and to limit the movement of residents, staff and visitors in order to protect people and property from a hazard” where evacuation is deemed unsafe or unnecessary. There was absolutely no evacuation warnings or evacuation orders west of Altadena for 10hrs, this includes the facility of MonteCedro and therefore does not warrant a necessary evacuation, considering that 100 mph hurricane winds with down power lines, trees, and several debris were flying and scattered everywhere including streets, that could potentially pose a life threatening hazard for the vulnerable residents at the time when the Eaton fire was miles away from the facility. The facility is a Type 1 construction that is designed to withstand high temperatures without collapsing, giving occupants more time to evacuate safely, with transportation assistance and escort from first responders who were knowledgeable of the Eaton Fire status and hazards from the hurricane winds. ALL in Altadena were victims of this tragedy so please be very cautious when placing blame on ALL those who were incredibly vulnerable at the time while making life threatening decisions during 2 unprecedented devastating disasters. The first responders are the real heroes of this devastating disaster but adding more fuel for the public to criticize will spread more fire for the vulnerable victims of Altadena.
