3 chapters across the catalog
Hawaii False Missile Alert, Employee Termination
The investigation into the Hawaii false missile alert resulted in the termination of one employee and the resignation of Emergency Management Agency Administrator Vern Miyagi. The fired worker claims he heard "this is not a drill" over a handset and followed his training, while the FCC criticized the state for lacking reasonable safeguards.
Hawaii Missile Alert, False Alarm and Emergency Management Response
A false ballistic missile alert was transmitted to cell phones, televisions, and radios across Hawaii on January 13, 2018. Governor David Ige and Emergency Management Administrator Vern Miyagi attributed the error to a mistake made by an employee during a routine shift change. The alert, which stated "this is not a drill," caused widespread panic for 38 minutes before a formal cancellation was issued via the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System.
Emergency Management Procedures, Two-Person Rule and Retraction Delays
Vern Miyagi explains that the false alert occurred during a "check or test of the ballistic missile preparation checklist" at 8:05 AM. The delay in retracting the alert was partly due to the lack of a pre-scripted cancellation template and the need for authorization from FEMA's IPAWS. In response to the incident, the agency has implemented a "two-person rule" to ensure no single operator can trigger an alert or drill alone.
