(Lebanon, N.H. – August 15, 2023) The Global Rescue security operations team supported several members during the Maui wildfire, including helping a California family get to safety during the deadly disaster in Lahaina, Hawaii. “The wildfire was spreading rapidly due to high winds and power was lost throughout the region,” said Adam Bardwell, a security operations manager for Global Rescue, a corporate travel risk and crisis management firm.

The member and his family safely reached Kapalua Airport where communication service remained temporarily intact, but the flights were stalled due to the dangerous conditions. The member contacted Global Rescue security operations seeking potentially life-saving advice.

“Due to the uncertainty on the ground, the Global Rescue security operations team relayed a rapid action plan with multiple escape contingencies that included evacuation options via land, sea, and air. We advised the member to drive immediately to Kahului Airport along route 340 if it remained open and clear, and board a flight off Maui to the island of Oahu,” Bardwell said.

At that point, communications were cut off but not before the member received Global Rescue’s list of alternate evacuation options which included an air evacuation from a small airfield via a chartered aircraft if Route 340 to the Kahului Airport was impassable and a boat transport capable of landing on the Maui shore to evacuate personnel and then returning to a nearby fishing vessel at sea. Helicopter transport out of the area was unavailable due to high winds that had grounded rotary wing aircraft. “If all airlift plans were unsuccessful, Global Rescue had pre-arranged for a zodiac boat transport capable of launching off Maui from the beach to a fishing vessel at sea,” Bardwell said.

Inadequate communications services on Maui during the disaster hindered overall safety and contributed to confusion. Thousands of people on Maui lost cellphone service because of the wildfires and, combined with the loss of 911 emergency services and officials failing to activate the state’s outdoor siren warning system, exacerbated.

Bardwell suggests travelers carry a satellite messaging system. “If you’re going to a place that has limited exits and limited cellphone service, the satellite communicator is absolutely necessary,” said Bardwell. “It doesn’t matter where you are, you have to be able to make the call for help.”

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About Global Rescue   

The Global Rescue Companies are the world’s leading provider of medical, security, evacuation and travel risk management services to enterprises, governments and individuals. Founded in 2004, Global Rescue has exclusive relationships with the Johns Hopkins Emergency Medicine Division of Special Operations and Elite Medical Group. Global Rescue provides best-in-class services that identify, monitor and respond to client medical and security crises. Global Rescue has provided medical and security support to its clients, including Fortune 500 companies, governments and academic institutions, during every globally significant crisis of the last two decades. For more information, visit www.globalrescue.com.