Feds meet to discuss Maui wildfire response operations
HONOLULU—The U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and Environmental Protection Agency members met to discuss Maui wildfire response and recovery operations near the Lahaina Harbor last Tuesday, Sept. 26.
Maui wildfire response and recovery effort leaders and personnel, including FEMA Region 9 regional administrator Robert Fenton, USACE commanding general Lt. Gen. Scott A. Spellmon, U.S. Coast Guard Incident commander Cmdr. Melanie Burnham, EPA incident commander Steve Calanog, FEMA external affairs officer Kirk Hanlin, and Sgt. Keoki Santos of the Maui Police Department met in Lahaina to discuss the status of various missions.
Topics included previously conducted operations along with current and upcoming recovery plans, as well as an emphasis on the importance of cultural and historical sites and concerns for future recovery operations.
“The Coast Guard is mindful of the magnitude of this disaster and the devastating toll it has on the Maui community,” said Cdr. Melanie Burnham, U.S. Coast Guard Emergency Support Function #10 incident commander. “We are dedicated to helping the community recover and mitigating risks to the environment. We are working in close coordination with our agency partners and cultural monitors to include the native Hawaiian community.” (USCG)
FEMA Region 9 Regional Administrator Robert Fenton briefs partner agencies on a summary of damage assessments in Lahaina, Hawaii Sept. 26, 2023. Members of partner agencies including the Maui Police Department, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Coast Guard, FEMA, and the EPA attended the briefing to discuss past, present and future recovery operations. (U.S. Coast Guard Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Edward Wargo)
-Petty Officer 2nd Class Edward Wargo
Cmdr. Melanie Burnham of the U.S. Coast Guard briefs U.S. Army Corps of Engineers commanding general Lt. Gen. Scott A. Spellmon on Sept. 26, 2023, on Coast Guard operations during recovery efforts in Lahaina, Hawaii. Operations already conducted and plans for future recovery operations were discussed.
-Petty Officer 2nd Class Edward Wargo
EPA Incident Commander Steve Calanog briefs U.S.Army Corps of Engineers Commanding General Lt. Gen. Scott A. Spellmon on EPA operations during recovery efforts in Lahaina, Hawaii Sept. 26, 2023. Topics included previously conducted operations along with current and upcoming recovery plans, as well as an emphasis on the importance of cultural and historical sites and concerns for future recovery operations.
-Petty Officer 2nd Class Edward Wargo
Sgt. Keoki Santos of the Maui Police Department addresses agencies responding to recovery operations in Lahaina, Hawaii.
-Petty Officer 2nd Class Edward Wargo
FEMA External Affairs Officer Kirk Hanlin briefs U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Commanding General Lt. Gen. Scott A. Spellmon on FEMA operations during recovery efforts in Lahaina, Hawaii Sept. 26, 2023. Topics included previously conducted operations along with current and upcoming recovery plans, as well as an emphasis on the importance of cultural and historical sites and concerns for future recovery operations.
-Petty Officer 2nd
Class Edward Wargo
