Maui’s emergency management chief, Herman Andaya, has defended the agency’s decision not to sound sirens during last week’s deadly wildfire, despite questions about whether doing so could have saved lives. Andaya explained that sirens in Hawaii are typically used to alert people to tsunamis, and using them during the fire could have led people to evacuate towards the danger. The grassland fire, which occurred on August 8, claimed the lives of at least 110 people and destroyed or damaged around 2,200 buildings in the tourist resort town of Lahaina.
During a press conference, Andaya stated that the public is trained to seek higher ground when sirens are sounded. He expressed concerns that if the sirens had been used during the fire, people might have gone towards the mountainside and into the fire. Instead of sirens, Maui relied on two different alert systems: one that sent text messages to phones and another that broadcast emergency messages on television and radio. Andaya also noted that the sirens are primarily located on the waterfront, making them useless to people on higher ground.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green supported the decision not to sound sirens and has ordered a comprehensive review of the emergency response. The review will involve outside investigators and experts and is aimed at learning how to improve safety measures in the future. Green emphasized that the review is not a criminal investigation.
In other developments, U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden are set to travel to Hawaii on Monday to survey the devastation caused by the wildfire. They will meet with first responders, survivors, and federal, state, and local officials. Additionally, a main road through town, which had been closed for days, was reopened in response to frustration from residents. The highway had previously been accessible only to residents, first responders, and local business workers.
As the search for victims continues, hundreds of people are still unaccounted for. Cadaver dogs have covered 38% of the disaster area, and the number of dogs involved in the search will soon double to 40. The death toll has risen to 110, according to Governor Green. Identification of the remains has been slow due to the intensity of the fire. Maui County has released the names of two victims, Robert Dyckman, 74, and Buddy Jantoc, 79, both from Lahaina. Three other individuals have been identified but their names are being withheld pending family notification.
Amidst the tragedy, stories of survival have emerged. Laurie Allen, who suffered burns over 70% of her body, managed to escape a blocked car and flee across a burning field. Doctors hope she will regain partial use of her arms. The sight of tourists enjoying Maui’s beaches while search-and-rescue teams continue their efforts has sparked outrage among some residents.
The situation in Maui continues to be closely monitored, and efforts are underway to support the affected community and improve emergency response measures for the future.
How can the existing emergency alert systems in Hawaii be improved to ensure they are effective during different types of emergencies, as emphasized by Governor Josh Green
Iew of the emergency alert systems in the state. Green stated that the focus should be on improving the existing alert systems and making sure they are effective during different types of emergencies.
The decision not to sound sirens during the wildfire has sparked debates and raised questions about the effectiveness of the current emergency management systems in Maui. Some critics argue that if the sirens had been used, more lives could have been saved as people would have been alerted to evacuate.
Andaya defended the agency’s decision by explaining that sirens in Hawaii are traditionally used to warn people about tsunamis, not wildfires. He expressed concerns that sounding the sirens during the fire could have led people to evacuate towards the danger instead of seeking safety. According to Andaya, the public is trained to seek higher ground when they hear the sirens, which would have been inappropriate during the fire.
Instead of sirens, Maui relied on text messages sent to phones and emergency messages broadcasted on television and radio. Andaya mentioned that the sirens are mainly located on the waterfront, rendering them useless to people on higher ground.
Governor Josh Green has supported the decision and emphasized the need for a comprehensive review of the emergency alert systems in the state. He believes that improving the existing systems should be the priority and that they should be effective in various emergency situations.
The fatal wildfire, which occurred on August 8, claimed the lives of at least 110 people and caused extensive damage to around 2,200 buildings in the popular tourist town of Lahaina. The tragic incident has highlighted the importance of effective emergency management in Hawaii and the need for further evaluation and improvement of the current systems.
It’s a difficult decision to make, considering the potential risks and benefits of sounding sirens in this situation.