L.A. needs to prepare for disasters

With multiple levels of bureaucracy and outdated emergency plans, the city of Los Angeles is not as prepared as it should be in the event of a major disaster, according to an audit released Monday.Kerry Cavanaugh in the Daily News.

While police, fire and other individual departments have good plans to respond to large-scale emergencies such as an earthquake or terrorist attack, L.A. lacks an overarching strategy on how to manage a crisis.

"I do not want the public to be afraid," said Controller Laura Chick, who ordered the audit. "But I want the public to know that the city of Los Angeles is not as well-prepared for a widespread disaster as we need to be and as we can be."