The unsung heroes of FEMA

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226 – April 2024

By Amy Fernandez

The wildfires that devastated Maui last August provided incredibly graphic documentation of an unfolding catastrophe. And dogs were at the center of the story – on both sides of the equation. Heartbreaking images of residents fleeing their homes with pets in hand reinforced the idea of ​​’most prized possession’. Often the speed and intensity of the fire allowed no time to think or plan as they escaped the impending death trap. These heartbreaking scenes were matched by the pleas of desperate owners hoping to find their missing animals.

While the rest of the world watched in disbelief, ongoing news coverage focused on the enormous risks owners took to save their animals. Thousands of stray animals were moved to shelters that became overcrowded as volunteers worked frantically to identify them, treat burns and other injuries and match animals with their owners.

As we tried to come to terms with that nightmare, the search and rescue began. Within a day, public access to West Maui became impossible, although many lives were still at stake. Efforts to reopen the highway failed for several reasons and much of Lahaina was ultimately closed. It was just too dangerous to go in there until the fire was somewhat under control.

Almost immediately, FEMA Urban Search and Rescue teams took over the spotlight. Public service demonstrations highlight the skills of these human-canine partners, but these events also make it seem easy, and it’s not. It is impossible to fully prepare for unknown situations. First, the heat from the fires had literally melted metal and stone. And that’s what the FEMA k9s faced when they arrived. Surface temperatures of 1,000 degrees had cooled to about 150-200 degrees, but the fires continued to flare and smolder unpredictably for weeks. Days later, many surfaces remained dangerously hot. That added additional obstacles to the task of navigating unstable rubble, downed power lines and collapsing structures. It was deadly work.

Click here to read the full article
226 – April 2024

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