Fire departments across Hawaii are reevaluating their emergency communication capabilities after the Maui wildfires. On Oahu, Fire Chief Sheldon Hao said Monday that a group meets about once a week to discuss how the island’s coverage would be affected in various disasters.
after the Maui wildfires, when the vulnerability of the island’s cellular network — and a lack of advanced communication tools in fire vehicles — complicated efforts by first responders as they confronted one of the worst disasters in Hawaii ’s history.
“It’s becoming more and more important for first responders to have broadband coverage because of some of the software they have in their equipment that relies on that broadband backbone,” saidA national cellular network reserved solely for first responders — basically a channel for them to use in an emergency that’s separated from standard commercial phone users — was proposed in the wake of the 9/11 attacks.
And Hao stressed that his department would still make effective use of radio even if it loses cell coverage because that’s the method the Honolulu department has historically used. FirstNet can also provide special mobile devices to keep coverage afloat during and after an emergency. In the fire’s aftermath, FirstNet sent devices stored on Oahu and Kauai calledFirstNet also sent 50 to 100 cell phones, protective gear and other equipment “pretty much unasked” to Maui to help with the immediate response, Big Island fire chief Todd said. He added that he appreciated the FirstNet board coming to Hawaii two months ago to discuss their service after Lahaina.
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