Wildfires: Maui Emergency Boss Quits Amid Criticism

Maui’s Emergency Management Chief has resigned  a day after defending his Agency’s failure to activate its alarm system in last week’s fatal wildfire.

Herman Andaya, who had no prior experience in emergency management, cited “health reasons” for resigning.

Residents of the Hawaii island said a stronger emergency response could have saved more lives.

At least 111 people have been declared dead. Hundreds are still missing.

Maui’s sophisticated system, which includes 80 sirens around the island, is tested on the first of every month, its 60-second tone a normal part of life in Lahaina. However on the day of the fire, they remained silent.

Earlier this week, Maui Emergency Management Agency Boss, Andaya insisted he did not regret that decision.

He said he had feared the sirens most often sounded for tsunamis would have sent some in Lahaina running to higher ground, potentially into the path of the fast-moving blaze.

However, in Lahaina none of the residents who spoke to the press accepted this explanation, saying the siren would have provided a crucial warning of the approaching danger.

On the day of the fire, many in Lahaina were home, without power, because of the strong winds caused by nearby Hurricane Dora.

And a text alert sent by the county was missed by many residents who had lost service.

“The sirens should have been sounded,” said Sherlyn Pedroza in Lahaina.

BBC