FiresGeneral NewsHawaiiU.S. NewsWater shortages Emergency services chief on Maui resigns. He faced criticism for not activating sirens during fire by Chloe Baker August 18, 2023 written by Chloe Baker August 18, 2023 3 comments Bookmark 43 The head of emergency services on Maui has resigned amidst criticism for not activating outdoor alert sirens during a destructive fire. Herman Andaya, the Administrator of the Maui Emergency Management Agency, had defended his decision not to deploy the sirens, citing concerns that their activation might lead people towards the fire. He resigned the day after making this statement. The controversy surrounding the decision, coupled with water shortages and blocked escape routes, has drawn heavy criticism following the deadliest wildfire in the US in over a century. With the death toll at 111, the search for missing individuals expanded beyond Lahaina to other destroyed communities. A significant portion of the Lahaina area had been searched, and the fire was reported to be 90% contained as of Thursday night. Andaya’s resignation was immediately accepted by Mayor Richard Bissen, who cited health reasons as the cause. The lack of sirens has been highlighted as one of several communication issues that contributed to the chaos during the wildfire crisis. Hawaii boasts one of the world’s largest systems of outdoor alert sirens, established after a devastating 1946 tsunami. These sirens can also be used for fire alerts. Andaya, who held the position since 2017, had defended his qualifications for the job, stating his experience in various emergency management roles. An impartial review of the government’s response, intended to facilitate corrective action and enhance future emergency preparedness, will be conducted by an external organization, according to Hawaii’s Attorney General Anne Lopez. The cause of the wildfires is currently under investigation. Hawaii faces increasing disaster risks, with wildfires being a significant concern, as indicated by FEMA records. Table of Contents Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Emergency servicesWhy did the emergency services chief on Maui resign?What was the controversy surrounding the sirens?How serious was the wildfire’s impact?What was the response to the emergency chief’s resignation?Was there any investigation into the response to the wildfire?What role did communication issues play in the crisis?How has Hawaii prepared for such emergencies?Is the cause of the wildfires known?What are the concerns about future disaster risks in Hawaii?How are affected residents being accommodated?How has the local community responded to the crisis?More about Emergency services Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Emergency services Why did the emergency services chief on Maui resign? The emergency services chief on Maui resigned due to criticism over not activating outdoor alert sirens during a destructive fire. What was the controversy surrounding the sirens? The chief’s decision not to deploy the sirens during the fire led to criticism, as people believed the alerts could have helped evacuation efforts. How serious was the wildfire’s impact? The wildfire resulted in the deadliest wildfire in the US in over a century, causing significant destruction and loss of life. What was the response to the emergency chief’s resignation? Mayor Richard Bissen accepted the resignation, citing unspecified health reasons. Plans were made to quickly fill the vacant position. Was there any investigation into the response to the wildfire? Yes, an outside organization was designated to conduct an impartial review of the government’s response to identify any shortcomings and improve future emergency preparedness. What role did communication issues play in the crisis? Communication issues, including the lack of sirens, contributed to the chaos and challenges faced during the wildfire crisis. How has Hawaii prepared for such emergencies? Hawaii has an extensive system of outdoor alert sirens, initially established after a devastating 1946 tsunami. These sirens can be used to alert for various emergencies, including fires. Is the cause of the wildfires known? The cause of the wildfires is currently under investigation. What are the concerns about future disaster risks in Hawaii? Hawaii faces increasing risks from disasters, particularly wildfires, as indicated by records from FEMA. How are affected residents being accommodated? Displaced residents are being housed in hotels with various services provided. Efforts are being made to ease the crowded group shelters and offer better accommodations. How has the local community responded to the crisis? The local community has expressed concerns about the lack of evacuation routes and the potential impact of the rebuilt town’s orientation towards wealthy visitors. More about Emergency services Maui Emergency Management Agency Administrator Herman Andaya Deadliest wildfire in the U.S. in more than a century Hawaii’s largest system of outdoor alert sirens Impartial review of the government’s response Rising wildfire risk in Hawaii You Might Be Interested In The Dawn of Right-leaning Shift in Spain’s Election Begins Florida’s ‘Dr. Deep’ resurfaces after a record 100 days living underwater Israel Anticipates Prolonged Ground Offensive in Gaza to Neutralize Hamas and its Extensive Tunnel Network Donald Trump will look to upstage Clemson grad Nikki Haley at her alma mater’s football rivalry game Annular Solar Eclipse Sweeps Across the Americas, Eliciting Euphoric Reactions The Earthshot Prize Ceremony Preceded by Prince William’s Participation in Dragon Boating communication issuescriticismDisaster Preparednessemergency managementevacuationfire sirensFiresGeneral NewsHawaiiMauiresignationwater shortageswildfire response Share 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail Chloe Baker Follow Author Chloe Baker is a travel journalist who covers the latest news and trends in the world of travel. She enjoys exploring new destinations and sharing her experiences with her readers, from exotic locales to hidden gems off the beaten path. previous post Mass Exodus as Wildfire Approaches Canadian Northwest Territories’ Capital next post Firefighters battle smoke and heat to control a major wildfire in Spain’s tourist island of Tenerife You may also like Bookmark A woman who burned Wyoming’s only full-service abortion... December 28, 2023 Bookmark Argument over Christmas gifts turns deadly as 14-year-old... December 28, 2023 Bookmark Danny Masterson sent to state prison to serve... December 28, 2023 Bookmark Hong Kong man jailed for 6 years after... December 28, 2023 Bookmark AP concludes at least hundreds died in floods... December 28, 2023 Bookmark Live updates | Israeli forces raid a West... December 28, 2023 3 comments islandgirl67 August 19, 2023 - 5:52 am all this chaos coz the chief didn’t push the button for the sirens. ppl lost homes n’ lives. glad they’re reviewin’ stuff, but it’s a mess. Reply naturelover45 August 19, 2023 - 6:25 am hawaii’s dealin’ w/ some serious stuff. fires, sirens not goin’ off, and now this chief resignin’. hope they figure out how to keep everyone safe! Reply historybuff56 August 19, 2023 - 8:32 am them sirens were put up after a big tsunami, and now they ain’t even usin’ ’em for fires? doesn’t make sense at all. wonder what’s goin’ on. Reply Leave a Comment Cancel Reply Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ
