When was the Hawaii missile alert?

When was the Hawaii Missile Alert?

On January 13, 2018, a false ballistic missile alert was sent to residents of Hawaii, causing widespread panic and confusion. The alert was issued by the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA) at 8:07 a.m. local time, stating that a ballistic missile was heading towards the state and that residents had only 15 minutes to seek shelter.

What Happened?

The alert was sent as a result of a mistaken assumption made by a HI-EMA employee. The employee had received a test message from the Pacific Command (PACOM) regarding a ballistic missile test, but the employee failed to notice that the message was a test and mistakenly sent it to the public as a real alert.

Consequences

The false alert caused widespread panic and disruption, with many residents rushing to seek shelter, stock up on supplies, and contact loved ones. The state’s emergency management officials scrambled to issue a correction, but it took over 30 minutes for the correct information to be disseminated to the public.

Impact

The false alert had significant consequences, including:

• Economic Impact: The alert caused significant economic disruption, with businesses and schools closing, and flights grounded.
• Psychological Trauma: The alert caused significant psychological trauma to many residents, particularly those who had experienced the devastating effects of Hurricane Iniki in 1992, which had destroyed much of the island of Kauai.
• Reputation Damage: The false alert damaged the reputation of the state’s emergency management officials and raised questions about their ability to respond to real emergencies.

Investigation and Aftermath

An investigation into the false alert was conducted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the state of Hawaii. The investigation found that the employee who sent the alert had not followed proper protocols and that there were systemic failures within the HI-EMA.

Recommendations

The investigation made several recommendations, including:

• Improved Training: HI-EMA employees should receive improved training on emergency alert systems and protocols.
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• Proper Procedures: HI-EMA should establish clear procedures for testing and verifying alerts.
• Accountability: HI-EMA officials should be held accountable for mistakes and failures.

Changes Implemented

As a result of the investigation and recommendations, HI-EMA implemented several changes, including:

• Improved Training: HI-EMA employees received extensive training on emergency alert systems and protocols.
• New Procedures: HI-EMA established new procedures for testing and verifying alerts, including a two-person verification process.
• Accountability: HI-EMA officials are now held accountable for mistakes and failures.

Timeline

Here is a timeline of the events surrounding the false missile alert:

Conclusion

The false missile alert in Hawaii on January 13, 2018, was a wake-up call for the state’s emergency management officials and a reminder of the importance of proper protocols and procedures in emergency situations. The incident highlighted the need for improved training, accountability, and transparency in emergency management. As a result of the investigation and recommendations, HI-EMA has implemented significant changes to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Table: Key Findings of the Investigation

Bullets: Recommendations

• Improved Training: HI-EMA employees should receive improved training on emergency alert systems and protocols.
• Proper Procedures: HI-EMA should establish clear procedures for testing and verifying alerts.
• Accountability: HI-EMA officials should be held accountable for mistakes and failures.