More training, tech among key recommendations in MPD ‘after-action’ report on Lahaina wildfire

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - More training, enhanced technology and speedier communications with the public. Those are among the recommendations included the Maui Police Department’s draft after-action report into the Lahaina wildfire.

The 98-page report also includes an exhaustive timeline — based on interviews and body cam video — of the hours leading up to the wildfire and the hours, days and weeks that followed.

“We have an obligation to those we lost to document what went right, what were the challenges and how can we get better and move forward,” said Maui Police Chief John Pelletier, in a news conference that began with 100 seconds of silence — one second for each of the victims.

Pelletier added that he would “encourage everybody to read” the report’s recommendations.

Among those 32 recommendations:

• Hire a social media manager to improve and speed up communications.
• Ensure all commanders participate in live training exercises.
• In the event of a disaster, direct the public to call a dedicated phone line other than 911.
• Equip every supervisory police vehicle with a “breaching kit” to be able to remove debris, such as downed trees from roadways blocking any exit.
• Evaluate the cost for expanded wi-fi and satellite connections to improve communications.

MPD’s after-action report is among a number of exhaustive probes into the wildfire disaster on Aug. 8 that claimed at least 100 lives, making it the deadliest U.S. fire in more than a century.

Read the full Maui Police Department after-action report here.

Three people remain unaccounted for.

Also included in the report, a first-ever map of where bodies were found. Officials said that of those who died, 42 were in structures, 15 in cars, 39 outdoors and one person was in the water.

The state is also conducting an investigation into the fires with the help of a third-party firm.

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