The Maui Police Department issued its final After-Action Report this week just before the two-year anniversary of the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfires that killed 102 individuals.
While a 98-page preliminary After-Action Report was issued in February 2024, this final report includes three new recommendations from the Maui Fire Department, a joint report by the Fire Safety Research Institute and the Hawaii Attorney General, and one additional recommendation from the Maui Police Department.
The final report, two years after the devastating wildfires, provides a comprehensive review of MPD’s response and outlines a total of 35 recommendations, including its three new recommendations, for improving future emergency operations.
These are the three new recommendations:
• Ensure that dispatch teams are fully staffed by hiring additional personnel as needed. Verify all personnel are cross-trained to improve responsiveness during a mass casualty event. Maintain a list of trained individuals, such as retired personnel, who may be available to provide communication support during an event.
• Expand and enhance the aerial capabilities of Maui County.
• Collaborate with the Maui Fire Department to establish a unified command structure for supervisors and above. The goal is to improve coordination and consistency. Focus on strengthening the Incident Command System (ICS) within both departments through joint training and integration efforts.
The multiple fires were the “worst natural disaster in State history and the deadliest U.S. wildfire in over a century,” the report said. “The fires were vast, devastating and rapidly occurred simultaneously within multiple geographic locations throughout Maui.”
The fires burned “1,283 acres upcountry, 3,240 acres in south Maui, and 2,170 acres in Lahaina.” It destroyed dozens of homes upcountry and over 3,000 dwellings and units in Lahaina.
“As we reflect on the devastating fires that claimed 102 lives, we do so with deep respect and an unwavering commitment to learning, improving, and honoring those we lost,” said Maui Police Chief John Pelletier. “This final report is not only a record of what transpired but also a blueprint for how we can move forward as a stronger and more resilient community.”
On July 24, MPD held a blessing ceremony for its new multimission helicopter, Hekili, meaning thunder in Hawaiian. The department previously had relied on the fire department’s Air 1.
“In the aftermath (of the Aug. 8 fires) and the multiple after-actions, it was very clear that we in Maui County had to expand and enhance our air unit capabilities,” Pelletier said. “We at MPD went back to the drawing board to build on this concept — and today, we have the most competent, capable, complete air unit in the state of Hawaii for first responders.”
The helicopter is equipped with a 250-gallon water bucket for fighting fires, twin engines, a rescue hoist and is human external cargo certified, and has seating for up to 10 personnel. It also has a high-intensity searchlight, infrared-capable camera and a mission mapping system with real-time video integration. It is also night operations capable.
Already in progress is the expansion and enhancement of the Real-Time Operations Center, one of the many recommendations.
The center serves as an intelligence and coordination hub for improving awareness and allocation of resources for emergencies.
Source: The Garden Island
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