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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 198320402
Report Date: 07/24/2026
Date Signed: 07/24/2026 04:15:12 PM

Unsubstantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
EL SEGUNDO ASC, 400 CONTINENTAL BLVD, STE 340
EL SEGUNDO, CA 90245
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
06/09/2026 and conducted by Evaluator Zina Brown
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 11-AS-20260609153600
FACILITY NAME:WESTMONT OF CULVER CITYFACILITY NUMBER:
198320402
ADMINISTRATOR:DAWN M SMITHFACILITY TYPE:
740
ADDRESS:11141 WASHINGTON BLVDTELEPHONE:
(310) 736-4118
CITY:CULVER CITYSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
90232
CAPACITY:160CENSUS: 151DATE:
07/24/2026
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
12:00 PM
MET WITH:Dawn Smith, Executive DirectorTIME COMPLETED:
04:15 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Facility fire alarm system is in disrepair.
Staff leave residents unsupervised during emergency evacuations.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On 07/24/2026 at 8:30am, the Department conducted an subsequent complaint visit at the facility listed above to deliver the investigation findings. Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Zina Brown met with Dawn Smith (Administrator) and explained the purpose of the visit.

The investigation consisted of the following: On 06/17/2026, the Department conducted interviews with A1, Staff (S1 - S8) and Residents (R1 - R9) between the hours of 9:15am - 2:35pm . The Department requested and obtained the following documentation such as staff roster (dated 06/17/2026), resident roster (received 06/17/2026) , Event History (June 2025 - June 2026), Annual Fire Alarm Inspection Confirmation Email (dated 04/23/2026), Inspection and Testing Certificate (dated 05/16/2025 & 02/04/2026), Inspection Summary (dated 05/15/2026), Fire Emergency Procedures, Pyrocomm Systems Inc Monitoring Account Contact Information (Dated 08/07/2024), Direct Supply Tels Logbook Documentation (Dated 03/29/2026, 05/31/2026), On Site In Service Sign In Sheet (dated 06/08/2026 - Fire Alarm Protocol, dated 04/07/2026 Evacuation Drill, 06/15/2026 Emergency Preparedness).
Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Janae Hammond
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Zina Brown
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/24/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/24/2026
This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 1 of 4
Control Number 11-AS-20260609153600
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
EL SEGUNDO ASC, 400 CONTINENTAL BLVD, STE 340
EL SEGUNDO, CA 90245
FACILITY NAME: WESTMONT OF CULVER CITY
FACILITY NUMBER: 198320402
VISIT DATE: 07/24/2026
NARRATIVE
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The investigation revealed the following

Allegation: Facility fire alarm system is in disrepair
It was alleged that repeated false alarm activations occurred throughout the facility directing residents to exit the building by using stairwells including up to five (5) flights despite the reporting party stating this was not the correct emergency procedure and placed residents at risk.

On 06/09/2026, between the hours of 11:50am -12:00pm, the Department interviewed A1 in regards to the allegation. A1 denied the allegation and stated the last documented fire alarm testing occurred on September 9, 2025. A1 explained the system entered a scheduled test beginning at 10:20am, the fire panel was placed “On Test” at 11:01am - 7:00pm, and maintenance checked smoke detectors and electrical loops during that time. A1 stated the alarms recorded that day were part of scheduled testing, not emergencies, and the facility’s automated system announces alarm events over the intercom with lights and sound.

On 06/09/2026, between the hours of 9:15am - 9:22am, the Department interviewed 8 staff in regards to the allegation. 4 out of 8 staff confirmed the allegation and stated they were aware of false alarms occurring at the facility or had personally responded to false alarm activations. 2 out of 8 staff denied the allegation stated they had not experienced repeated false alarms or had not personally responded to an alarm activation. 2 out of 8 staff did not confirm nor deny the allegation and stated they had heard residents mention false alarms but had not personally responded to an alarm activation.

On 06/09/2026, between the hours of 10:15am - 11:18am, the Department interviewed 9 residents in regards to the allegation. 8 out of 9 residents confirmed the allegation and stated the alarm activates frequently, is loud, occurs during both day and night, and staff do not consistently notify residents when the alarm event has ended. 1 out of 9 residents was aware of the allegation and stated knowing of the alarm activations but did not provide details regarding frequency or staff response.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Janae Hammond
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Zina Brown
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/24/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/24/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 4
Control Number 11-AS-20260609153600
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
EL SEGUNDO ASC, 400 CONTINENTAL BLVD, STE 340
EL SEGUNDO, CA 90245
FACILITY NAME: WESTMONT OF CULVER CITY
FACILITY NUMBER: 198320402
VISIT DATE: 07/24/2026
NARRATIVE
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On 07/16/2026, between the hours of 2:00pm - 3:00pm the Department conducted a records review and observed the following: the facility’s fire alarm system logs dated September 9, 2025. At 10:20:53 AM, the fire alarm panel recorded a system trouble diagnostic during a scheduled testing window. Automated notifications were generated to facility contacts between 10:21am - 10:50am, including several live confirmations. At 11:01:47 AM, the fire panel was placed “On Test” through 7:00 PM, and additional diagnostic activity occurred between 11:36am - 11:41am, followed by device loop verification between 3:56pm - 3:58pm. The records reviewed showed the trouble signals documented on September 9, 2025 were generated during scheduled diagnostic testing performed by maintenance personnel. The Department did not observe documentation indicating that the fire alarm system was in disrepair.

Unsubstantiated: Based on information gathered through interviews and record reviews, there is not enough evidence to support the allegation. Although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violation did or did not occur. Therefore, the allegation is UNSUBSTANTIATED
SUPERVISORS NAME: Janae Hammond
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Zina Brown
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/24/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/24/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 4
Control Number 11-AS-20260609153600
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
EL SEGUNDO ASC, 400 CONTINENTAL BLVD, STE 340
EL SEGUNDO, CA 90245
FACILITY NAME: WESTMONT OF CULVER CITY
FACILITY NUMBER: 198320402
VISIT DATE: 07/24/2026
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Allegation: Staff leave residents unsupervised during emergency evacuations.
It was alleged that residents were not informed when alarm events ended, and that at least three alarm activations occurred at night when no staff were present at the front desk. It was further alleged that alarms sounded simultaneously in resident rooms, hallways, and the Memory Care unit.

On 06/09/2026, between the hours of 11:50am -12:00pm, the Department interviewed A1 in regards to the allegation. A1 denied the allegation and stated the facility uses a shelter-in-place protocol, evacuation only occurs for a confirmed fire, and staff supervise residents including overnight med-techs and caregivers. The administrator stated she was not aware of any alarm activation where residents were left unsupervised and stated the fire department leads evacuation during a true fire.

On 06/09/2026, between the hours of 9:15am - 9:22am, the Department interviewed 8 staff in regards to the allegation. 7 out of 8 staff denied the allegation and stated residents are only instructed to use stairwells when evacuation is ordered and that staff remain available during alarm events. 1 out of 8 staff did not confirm nor deny the allegation and stated they had not worked night shifts during an alarm activation.

On 06/09/2026, between the hours of 10:15am - 11:18am, the Department interviewed 9 residents in regards to the allegation. 7 out of 9 residents confirmed the allegation and stated staff provided inconsistent instructions, some residents received no direction, and during nighttime alarms no staff were visible in hallways or at the front desk. 2 out of 9 residents did not confirm nor deny the allegation and stated they were aware of alarm activations but did not provide details regarding staff supervision.

On 07/16/2026, between the hours of 2:00pm - 3:00pm the Department conducted a records review and observed the following: reviewed available incident reports, staff logs, and facility documentation and did not observe any entries indicating that residents were left unsupervised during emergency evacuations or fire alarm events. No records were found documenting resident evacuation, lack of staff presence, or staff failing to supervise residents during an alarm.

Based on information gathered through interviews and record reviews, there is not enough evidence to support the allegation. Although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violation did or did not occur. Therefore, the allegation is UNSUBSTANTIATED

Exit interview conducted with Dawn Smith (Executive Director) and a copy of this report was provided.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Janae Hammond
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Zina Brown
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/24/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/24/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 4 of 4