Episode 31: Preparing for wildfire disasters
On this episode of the One O'ahu Podcast, Department of Emergency Management Deputy Director Jennifer Walter, joins host Brandi Higa to discuss the City and County of Honolulu’s role in assisting Maui County following the deadly wildfires in Lahaina, long-term ways you can help, and preventing blazes of this magnitude from happening again.
Listen Now:
Honolulu’s Department of Emergency Management (DEM) coordinates preparedness and response plans, programs, and initiatives with city, state, federal, private, corporate, and non-government entities.
Long-term Recovery
DEM’s Deputy Director, Jennifer Walter, was one of the dozens of personnel from the City and County of Honolulu deployed to Maui County following the deadly fires that devastated Lahaina on August 8, 2023. During her time assisting in the Maui Emergency Operation Center, Jennifer Walter coordinated some of the resources coming into the county and emphasized that some of the long-term housing needs and economic impacts are not unique to Maui when it comes to recovery after a disaster.
"How that takes shape and what we can learn from that and apply here is something that we're paying attention to," said Deputy Walter.
Long-term Help
Also on this episode of the One O‘ahu Podcast, DEM Deputy Director Walter encourages individuals looking for ways to help, to explore long-term efforts.
“Recovery is a long, hard process and in every disaster what happens is it fades from the headlines,” explains Walter. “We’re not there yet but unfortunately at some point that’s going to happen.”
Jennifer Walter goes on to explain that some agencies are designed to support the long-term needs of victims.
If you are looking for ways to donate, here are some agencies assisting those affected by the Maui wildfires:
Activating the O‘ahu EOC
Whether it be a hurricane, a flooding event, or a major wildfire, O'ahu's Emergency Operation Center (EOC) is key to mobilizing the response to disasters. But there are other threats and triggers that can be used to stand-up the resources in the EOC. On Aug. 8, 2023 the O‘ahu EOC was activated due to a high wind threat.
“What we do internally, when there is something of concern out there, at the very least, we have our staff monitoring it,” explains Walter. She goes on to say, “we always have somebody who is on alert. We have an afterhours roster to take any calls to kind of monitor things if there’s a concern and then has the ability to quickly activate the City partners.”
For more information on the duties of the Department of Emergency Management, preparing for disasters, and resources available, visit https://www.honolulu.gov/dem
