2023-08-18 03:43:16
(Los Angeles) The head of the Hawaiian island of Maui’s emergency management agency, who was criticized for not sounding the alarm sirens during the deadly fire that tore through the town of Lahaina , resigned Thursday, according to a county statement.
Posted yesterday at 11:43 p.m.
“Today, Mayor Richard Bissen accepted the resignation of Maui Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) Administrator Herman Andaya,” the statement read. “Invoking health reasons, Mr. Andaya submitted his resignation which takes effect immediately”.
Herman Andaya said Wednesday at a press conference that he did not regret not having sounded the island’s alarm sirens as the fire approached Lahaina, where 12,000 residents live.
The move, along with other perceived mistakes before, during and following the disaster, which left at least 111 people dead, has angered survivors, who believe it would have saved more lives.
“Given the severity of the crisis we are facing, my team and I will be appointing someone to this key position as soon as possible, and I look forward to making this announcement soon,” said Mr. Bissen.
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