Satellite phone SAVED LIVES during the devastating Maui wildfire

Published

1 year ago

January 18, 2024

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Mark Boettger, the director of Safety and Security at Marriott Maui Ocean Club, faced a critical test of his responsibilities on August 8 last year when a wildfire devastated Lahaina.

Amid the crisis, Boettger took decisive action, instructing individuals at the resort to shelter in place and advising neighboring hotels to do the same, preventing up to 14,000 people from venturing onto the dangerous roads. His quick decision-making undoubtedly saved lives.

Amid the chaos, Boettger utilized a satellite phone to provide crucial updates to Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke, who was acting as governor that day, and communicated with Maui Countys Emergency Management Agency (MEMA). His efforts were particularly significant as the raging flames had destroyed cell tower infrastructure, making consistent communication with the outside world a significant challenge.

The Marriott Maui Ocean Club was near the advancing fire, leaving Boettger and others cut off from essential services. The situation was exacerbated by power outages, lack of TV and radio access and the near failure of cell phones.

Boettger vividly recalls the uncertainty that prevailed. “Cars couldnt leave. Cars couldnt come back. We were completely cut off. No power, no TV, no radio. Cell phones all but failed at about 3:30 p.m.,” he said. Fortunately they have a satellite phone.

Reflecting on the harrowing experience four months later, Boettger emphasized the necessity for collaborative efforts between the government and the private sector in preparing for future emergencies. Despite his extensive experience managing volatility from his 25-year law enforcement career, he acknowledged that nothing compares to the horror of witnessing a massive wildfire approaching Lahainas resort area without clear official guidance on evacuation routes.

Boettger also pointed out the challenges faced by Maui County’s Emergency Management Agency during the crisis. “What I could hear on the phone from them [MEMA], I think they were inundated,” he said. Deadliest U.S. wildfire in over 100 years

Last year’sMaui wildfire stands as the deadliest U.S. wildfire since 1918, when the Cloquet Fire in northern Minnesota claimed 453 lives, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The most fatal wildfire in U.S. history occurred in 1871 in Wisconsin, known as the Peshtigo fire, which claimed 1,152 lives.

This tragic event, which claimed over a hundred lives, surpasses the toll of any disaster on the islands since a tsunami took 61 lives in 1960, a year after Hawaii became a U.S. state. (Related:Maui wildfires continue to expose governments FAILURES and QUESTIONABLE decisions.)

The Lahaina fire also caused destruction or damage to over 2,200 buildings, with 86 percent being residential structures, as per assessments by the University of Hawaii‘s Pacific Disaster Center (PDC) and Maui Emergency Management Agency. Rebuilding Lahaina is estimated to cost $5.5 billion, with FEMA approving over $7 million in assistance to over 2,200 households.

Wildfire damages are escalating in the U.S., totaling $29 billion in 2018, with 18 separate billion-dollar weather and climate disaster events in 2022, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The economic fallout from the wildfires is expected to impact tourism, a cornerstone of Maui’s economy, constituting 40 percent of it.

Concerns have been raised by Maui residents about the adequacy of alert systems. Witnesses reported minimal warning, with sirens, designed to alert of impending disasters, remaining silent. Power and cellular outages further hindered communication and alerts. Hawaii Governor Josh Green has committed to investigating the emergency response and notification systems.

Watch this report about what really happened in Maui.

This video is from theGalacticStorm channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories:

Maui wildfires: Lawsuit accuses Hawaiian Electric of negligence resulting in wrongful deaths, severe injuries and damages to property.

LAND GRAB: Hawaii government to confiscate lands burned by deadly Maui wildfires.

Behind secrecy barriers, EPA begins removal of toxic materials in areas devastated by Maui wildfires.

Sources include:

HawaiiNewsNow.com

Reuters.com

Brighteon.com
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UK

Eight arrests in connection with two separate terrorism investigations

Published

3 hours ago

May 4, 2025

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Eight arrests in connection with two separate terrorism investigations

Eight men have been arrested by the Metropolitan Police in two unconnected terrorism investigations.

In one operation on Saturday, counter-terror officers arrested five men, four of whom are Iranian nationals. All are in police custody.

The Met said the arrests related to a “suspected plot to target a specific premises”.

In an update shortly after midnight, the force said: “Officers have been in contact with the affected site to make them aware and provide relevant advice and support, but for operational reasons, we are not able to provide further information at this time.”

It added officers were carrying out searches at a number of addresses in the Greater Manchester, London and Swindon areas in connection with the investigation.

It said those detained were:

• A 29-year-old man arrested in the Swindon area
• A 46-year-old man arrested in west London
• A 29-year-old man arrested in the Stockport area
• A 40-year-old man arrested in the Rochdale area
• A man whose age was not confirmed arrested in the Manchester area.

Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “This is a fast-moving investigation and we are working closely with those at the affected site to keep them updated.

“The investigation is still in its early stages and we are exploring various lines of enquiry to establish any potential motivation as well as to identify whether there may be any further risk to the public linked to this matter.

“We understand the public may be concerned and as always, I would ask them to remain vigilant and if they see or hear anything that concerns them, then to contact us.

“We are working closely with local officers in the areas where we have made arrests today and I’d like to thank police colleagues around the country for their ongoing support.”

Terror arrests in separate investigation

Police also arrested three further Iranian nationals in London on Saturday as part of another, unrelated counter terror investigation.

The suspects were detained under section 27 of the National Security Act 2023, which allows police to arrest those suspected of being “involved in foreign power threat activity”.

Home secretary Yvette Cooper said in a statement: “I want to thank the police and our security services for the action they have taken to keep our country safe.

“Protecting national security is the first duty of government and our police and security services have our strong support in their vital work.”

She added: “These are serious events that demonstrate the ongoing requirement to adapt our response to national security threats.”

Politics

Pro-crypto Democrats pull support for stablecoin bill in last minute

Published

3 hours ago

May 4, 2025

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Pro-crypto Democrats pull support for stablecoin bill in last minute

A group of US Senate Democrats known for supporting the crypto industry have said they would oppose a Republican-led stablecoin bill if it moves forward in its current form.

The move threatens to stall legislation that could establish the first US regulatory framework for stablecoins, according to a May 3 report from Politico.

Per the report, nine Senate Democrats said in a joint statement that the bill “still has numerous issues that must be addressed.” They warned they would not support a procedural vote to advance the legislation unless changes are made.

Among the signatories were Senators Ruben Gallego, Mark Warner, Lisa Blunt Rochester and Andy Kim — all of whom had previously backed the bill when it passed through the Senate Banking Committee in March.

The bill, introduced by Senator Bill Hagerty, is formally known as the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act.

Senate prepares to vote on stablecoin bill

The Senate is expected to begin floor consideration of the bill in the coming days, with the first vote potentially taking place next week.

The bill has been championed by the crypto industry as a landmark step toward regulatory clarity. However, the Democrats’ about-face reflects growing unease within the party.

Although revisions were made to the bill after its committee approval to address Democratic concerns, the lawmakers said the changes fell short. They called for stronger safeguards related to Anti-Money Laundering, national security, foreign issuers, and accountability measures for noncompliant actors.

The statement was also signed by Senators Raphael Warnock, Catherine Cortez Masto, Ben Ray Luján, John Hickenlooper and Adam Schiff.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Senator Angela Alsobrooks were absent from the list, who co-sponsored the bill alongside Hagerty.

Despite their objections, the Democratic senators emphasized their commitment to shaping responsible crypto regulation. They reportedly said they “are eager to continue working with our colleagues to address these issues.”

Crypto needs a stablecoin bill

On April 27, Caitlin Long, founder and CEO of Custodia Bank, criticized the US Federal Reserve for quietly maintaining a key anti-crypto policy that favors big-bank-issued stablecoins, despite relaxing crypto partnership rules for banks.

Long explained that while the Fed recently rescinded four prior crypto guidelines, a Jan. 27, 2023, statement was left intact in coordination with the Biden administration.

The guidance, according to Long, blocks banks from engaging directly with crypto assets and prohibits them from issuing stablecoins on permissionless blockchains.

However, Long noted that once a federal stablecoin bill becomes law, it could override the Fed’s stance. “Congress should hurry up,” she urged.

Magazine: Financial nihilism in crypto is over — It’s time to dream big again

UK

Pictured: Boy killed in Gateshead industrial estate fire – 14 children arrested on suspicion of manslaughter

Published

4 hours ago

May 4, 2025

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Pictured: Boy killed in Gateshead industrial estate fire - 14 children arrested on suspicion of manslaughter

Tributes have been paid to 14-year-old Layton Carr who died in a fire at an industrial estate.

Eleven boys and three girls, aged between 11 and 14 years, have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter after the incident in Gateshead on Friday. They remain in police custody.

Firefighters raced to Fairfield industrial park in the Bill Quay area shortly after 8pm, putting out the blaze a short time later.

Police then issued an appeal for a missing boy, Layton Carr, who was believed to be in the area at the time.

In a statement, the force said that “sadly, following searches, a body believed to be that of 14-year-old Layton Carr was located deceased inside the building”.

Layton’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers, police added.

A fundraising page on GoFundMe has been set up to help Layton’s mother pay for funeral costs.

Organiser Stephanie Simpson said: “The last thing Georgia needs to stress trying to pay for a funeral for her Boy Any donations will help thank you.”

One tribute in a Facebook post read: “Can’t believe I’m writing this my nephew RIP Layton 💔 forever 14 you’ll be a massive miss, thinking of my sister and 2 beautiful nieces right now.”

Another added: “My boy ❤️ my baby cousin, my Layton. Nothing will ever come close to the pain I feel right now. Forever 14. I’ll miss you sausage.”

A third said: “Rest in peace big lad such a beautiful soul taken far to soon my thoughts are with you Gee stay strong girl hear for u always.”

Detective Chief Inspector Louise Jenkins, of Northumbria Police, also said: “This is an extremely tragic incident where a boy has sadly lost his life.”

She added that the force’s “thoughts are with Layton’s family as they begin to attempt to process the loss of their loved one”.

They are working to establish “the full circumstances surrounding the incident” and officers will be in the area to “offer reassurance to the public”, she added.

A cordon remains in place at the site while police carry out enquiries.