The Texas Division of Emergency Management has sent additional disaster recovery personnel to assist communities in Maui County, Hawaii, in recovering from a devastating wildfire that occurred in August. The announcement was made by the Texas Division of Emergency Management, stating that they have deployed additional resources to aid in the recovery efforts.
The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) is responsible for creating and implementing the state's emergency management program, which aims to help communities prevent and recover from various disasters or emergency situations. According to their website, the TDEM's mission is to carry out a comprehensive all-hazard emergency management program for the state and assist cities, counties, and state agencies in planning and implementing their emergency management programs.
As part of the recovery efforts, the TDEM has sent resources directly to the Hawaii State Emergency Operations Center, which is part of the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC). The EMAC is a program that allows different states within the United States to share their resources with other states in need of assistance after a disaster. The TDEM has sent public assistance personnel to help the community navigate the Public Assistance Grant Program process. They have also sent personnel to assist with various tasks, such as keeping records of incidents and identifying the eligible help for affected individuals.
Wildfires continue to plague different areas of Hawaii, including Lahaina, a region located on the western shore of Maui. In September, wildfires tore through Lahaina, claiming the lives of at least ninety-seven individuals and injuring many more. The area was blocked off for six weeks to assess and clean up the damage, with estimated repair costs reaching $5.5 billion. The source of the fire is currently under investigation, while the affected community works to recover from the aftermath of the devastating blaze.
The additional disaster recovery personnel sent by the Texas Division of Emergency Management will provide much-needed support to the people of Maui County as they continue to recover and rebuild from the wildfire. The assistance from TDEM and other organizations is crucial in helping communities recover more quickly and effectively from such disasters.
