The lawsuit filed by Maui County officials alleges that major cellular carriers were negligent in failing to inform Maui police of widespread cellphone outages during last summer’s deadly wildfires. The county claims that alerts sent to cellphones warning residents to evacuate were never received due to the outages, and sirens were not activated to warn the entire population of the approaching flames. This has raised questions about the effectiveness of the county’s emergency warning system, which is designed to alert the public about various dangers, including wildfires.
In response to the lawsuit, T-Mobile stated that the claims against the carriers are baseless and that they had broadcasted wireless emergency alerts to customers while their sites remained operational. The company also said they promptly sent required outage notifications and quickly contacted state and local emergency agencies and services. Spectrum declined to comment, and other carriers did not immediately respond to requests for comment from The Associated Press. The lawsuit comes in the wake of multiple lawsuits filed against Maui County over its emergency response during the wildfires, including one against the Hawaiian Electric Company for failing to shut off power despite high winds and dry conditions.
The lawsuit filed by Maui County alleges that if the county is found liable for damages, the conduct of the cell carriers substantially contributed to those damages. The county claims that during the wildfires, it sent at least 14 alert messages to cellphones warning residents to evacuate, only to later discover that all 21 cell towers serving West Maui, including Lahaina, experienced total failure. The county accuses the carriers of not accurately reporting the extent of the cell service outages, as required by federal law, which hampered the county’s disaster and warning response efforts. The lawsuit suggests that had the carriers reported the widespread failure of cell sites, the county would have utilized different methods to alert residents.
The deadly Maui wildfires, which resulted in the deaths of 101 people and caused widespread destruction, have sparked a flood of lawsuits against various parties involved in the emergency response. Maui County itself is facing multiple lawsuits over its handling of the wildfires, with this latest legal action targeting the major cellular carriers for their alleged negligence. The lawsuits highlight the challenges faced by emergency responders during disasters when critical communication systems, such as cellphones, fail to function properly. The outcome of these legal battles could have significant implications for future emergency response protocols and responsibilities of telecommunications companies in ensuring public safety during disasters.
The lawsuit underscores the importance of reliable communication systems during emergencies like wildfires, especially in regions prone to natural disasters like Hawaii. As the state possesses an elaborate emergency warning system for various dangers, including hurricanes, volcanoes, and wildfires, it is crucial for all stakeholders, including cellular carriers, to ensure the resilience and effectiveness of communication networks. The legal disputes arising from the deadly wildfires serve as a wake-up call for authorities and telecommunications companies to enhance their coordination and preparedness for future disasters, to prevent similar breakdowns in communication that could endanger lives and property. By holding all parties accountable for their roles in the emergency response, the lawsuits aim to improve public safety measures and strengthen the overall resilience of Hawaii’s communities in the face of natural disasters.
