BRIGADIER GENERAL KENNETH HARA RELEASES ALL HAZARDS PREPAREDNESS IMPROVEMENT ACTION PLAN AND REPORT
News Release from Hawaii DoD, Feb 20, 2018
HONOLULU – Gov. David Ige and Brig. Gen. Kenneth Hara today released the All Hazards Preparedness Improvement Action Plan and Report that was prepared as directed by Executive Order 18-01. The Action Plan was designed to review current emergency response systems, including notifications and warnings, and make recommendations for improvement.
“We are moving forward with a strategic vision that enables emergency managers in Hawaiʻi to identify gaps and vulnerabilities for handling all hazards. I’ll be asking the Legislature for more than $2 million right now to build capacity. It’s all about the safety and security of the people of Hawaiʻi,” said Gov. Ige.
“The report is written by and prepared as a roadmap for emergency management planners. It could be used as a guide to help reshape how emergency management is organized and how resources are prioritized and allocated to respond to any hazard efficiently and effectively,” said Big. Gen. Hara.
The report:
- Focuses on preparations for any disaster, not only ballistic missile threats
- Identifies the need to prepare a Strategic Plan for Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA) and update the All Hazards Catastrophic Plan to include a Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Annex
- Recommends including all emergency management stakeholders in the planning process to address gaps and vulnerabilities that exist today
- Confirms and agrees with Gen. Oliveira’s findings from the investigative report
Other key details include:
- A complete comprehensive annex or plan to address the Ballistic Missile Preparedness threats had not been fully developed prior to commencement of missile alert siren testing and internal missile alert drills, nor had a risk assessment been conducted.
- There is a misconception that Gov. Ige and other elected officials are primarily responsible for timely warning and notification. The responsibility to identify requirements for the existing alert system and rapid notification remained with HI-EMA.
- The State Warning Point’s established Ballistic Missile Alert Checklist did not have a step to notify the HI-EMA Public Information Officer (PIO). The missing key step to notify the PIO contributed to the delay in rapidly informing the media and public.
- Observations point to the improper management of HI-EMA. HI-EMA senior leadership lacked awareness of personnel issues within the SWP.
Key observations and recommendations include:
- Conduct comprehensive review and assessment of organizational roles and performance
- Make needed improvements in technological capabilities
- Enforce current statutes and executive orders dealing with emergency management
- Develop and deliver training and education programs for the public, government leaders, and EM employees
Based on this roadmap, Gov. Ige is:
- Enhancing our strategic capabilities to respond and recover from any hazard
- Building and putting capacity into place; this includes asking the Legislature for funding
- Placing renewed emphasis on individual, family and community preparedness
The report also recaps previous, worst-case threat analyses that would impact Hawaiʻi’s response and recovery efforts to a catastrophic event.
The full report is posted online at: fma-final-report/
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STATEMENT BY GOV. DAVID Y. IGE ON BRIG. GEN. KENNETH HARA’S ALL HAZARDS PREPAREDNESS IMPROVEMENT ACTION PLAN AND REPORT
New Release from Office of the Governor, Feb 20, 2018
The state’s goal is to lead the nation in emergency management, and Gen. Hara’s report is comprehensive and covers the major requests in my Executive Order. As a result, I consider this to be the final report, and there is no need for an additional report in another 30 days.
However, this is an enduring process – meaning, we will continue to confer and plan with emergency managers at all levels of government. A missile attack is an act of war, and collaboration with the federal government is essential.
The report identifies a breakdown in leadership and management at the Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency, and we are actively seeking a new administrator who will build the team that will implement the recommendations in this report.
Gen. Hara’s report includes a number of observations and recommendations, including a request for funding. I’ll be asking the Legislature for more than $2 million right now to build capacity. It’s all about the safety and security of the people of Hawaiʻi.
We need input and the participation of everyone – individuals, families, businesses, the whole community – to get involved in disaster preparedness.
This is uncharted territory, and we are using this experience to vastly improve our strategic planning and disaster preparedness. As we take the action steps described in this report, we will become a stronger, more resilient community.
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PDF: Full Report
Coverage: