Controversy is surrounding the Maui emergency operations chief’s choice not to use warning sirens amid the devastating fires, raising suspicions and doubts about his qualifications.
The island is under scrutiny as mounting evidence indicates that there were red flags before and during the disastrous incident.
Herman Andaya, Maui’s emergency operations chief, lacked experience in disaster response—a revelation that has heightened concerns regarding his judgment.
Despite his department being responsible for activating warning sirens, these crucial alerts remained eerily silent during the ferocious fire.
The fire that swept through picturesque Maui island was ignited at 12:22 a.m., catching residents off guard as they slept peacefully in their beds, oblivious to the impending catastrophe.
Had the sirens been activated, it’s reasonable to believe that the residents might have received the vital warning necessary, giving them the opportunity to evacuate and find refuge. Unfortunately, the sirens remained silent, leaving many pondering the potential outcomes.
In an already infamous press conference, Chief Andaya defended his decision to send alerts through cell phones, radio broadcasts, television, and the county’s resident alert system, rather than relying on the sirens.
Andaya maintained that the use of sirens is primarily designated for tsunami warnings, with Hawaiians being conditioned to move towards higher ground upon hearing them. However, in this critical situation, such action would have led them toward the flames.
Wow.
“The sirens, as I had mentioned earlier, is used primarily for tsunamis. And that’s the reason why many of them are found…. almost all of them are found on the coastline. The public is trained to seek higher ground in the event that the siren is sounded,” Andaya claimed.
“In fact, on the website of the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, the firing guideline is provided. If you are in a low-lying area near the coastline, evacuate to high grounds inland or vertically to the fourth floor and higher of a concrete building. Alerts may also come in the form of a wireless emergency alert,” he added.
“Had we sounded the siren that night, we’re afraid that people would have gone mauka [toward the mountains]. And if that was the case, then they would have gone into the fire.”
“I should also note that there are no sirens mauka, or on the mountainside, where the fire was spreading down. So even if we sounded the siren, we would not have saved those people out there on the mountainside,” he added.
The press didn’t hesitate to question Andaya on whether he might consider delegating responsibilities to others. In response, he firmly dismissed any notion that he lacked experience prior to assuming his current position.
He highlighted his previous roles in the housing department and as a member of the mayor’s cabinet, during which he had direct involvement with the emergency operation centers.
“To say that I am not qualified, I think is incorrect,” Andaya added.
Watch:
Meanwhile, the left, of course, is blaming “climate change” for the disaster.
Breaking Digest is calling BS on that tired narrative.
Below is the weather of Maui, Hawaii, for the month of August, according to Weather25.com.
