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Hawaii False Alarm: A Series of Mistakes
Mistakes were made during a ballistic missile attack warning
On January 13, 2018, at approximately 8:07 AM Hawaii Standard Time (HST), a ballistic missile attack warning was issued in Hawaii. The warning was sent out to cell phones and televisions across the state, and it caused widespread panic and confusion. It was later revealed that the warning was a false alarm, and that there was no actual threat to Hawaii.
The false alarm was caused by a series of mistakes made by employees of the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HEMA). According to a report released by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the mistakes included:
- A HEMA employee selected the wrong option on a computer screen, which sent out the alert.
- HEMA employees failed to follow proper procedures for issuing alerts.
- HEMA employees did not have adequate training on how to issue alerts.
The FCC report also found that HEMA had not conducted any drills or exercises to test its emergency alert system in the year leading up to the false alarm.
The false alarm caused widespread panic and confusion
The false alarm caused widespread panic and confusion in Hawaii. Many people believed that the warning was real, and they took cover or evacuated their homes. Schools and businesses were closed, and flights were canceled. The false alarm also caused a spike in calls to 911, and many people reported feeling anxious and stressed.
The false alarm also had a significant economic impact on Hawaii. The tourism industry, which is the state's largest economic driver, was particularly hard hit. Many tourists canceled their trips to Hawaii, and some businesses reported losing thousands of dollars in revenue.
HEMA has taken steps to prevent future false alarms
In the wake of the false alarm, HEMA has taken steps to prevent future false alarms. These steps include:
- Updating its emergency alert system
- Providing additional training to employees
- Conducting regular drills and exercises
HEMA has also apologized for the false alarm and has promised to do everything it can to prevent a similar incident from happening again.
Conclusion
The false alarm in Hawaii was a serious incident that caused widespread panic and confusion. The false alarm was caused by a series of mistakes made by employees of the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HEMA). HEMA has taken steps to prevent future false alarms, and it is important for the public to be aware of these steps and to be prepared for future emergencies.