Administrator Amos Lonokailua-Hewett of the Maui Emergency Management Agency on Monday announced the county’s new evacuation planning and notification platform — Genasys Protect — that will enhance emergency operations for people on Maui, Molokai and Lanai.

The platform will offer real-time collaboration between agencies so first responders can make faster, more informed decisions to enable clear communications to the public regarding floods, fires, tsunami, hurricanes, infrastructure failures and more. Users can access information on evacuation zones, track live statuses and receive real-time notifications through a mobile app.

MEMA encourages residents and visitors to download Genasys Protect available for Apple and Android devices and to enroll for MEMA alerts that will also provide evacuation information. Genasys notifications and MEMA alerts are subscriber-based and will be used in conjunction with non-subscriber-based emergency communication methods such as the Emergency Alert System, Wireless Emergency Alerts and the State of Hawaii All-Hazard Siren System.

“We will use all available methods of emergency communication to the public during an emergency,” said Lonokailua-Hewett in a release. “New Genasys Protect evacuation alerts — when combined with MEMA alerts, WEA, EAS and sirens — create a powerful, multilayered system that ensures timely, reliable communication, saving lives and enhancing public safety during emergencies.”

The platform provides predetermined evacuation zones and live status updates during emergencies. Individuals will be able to follow their zones and receive zone-specific notifications, which will also be available on any internet browser.

Learn more about Genasys Protect and view zone maps by visiting the platform’s website.

MEMA provides steps to follow after downloading the app:

• Look up important addresses and follow those zones on the mobile app.
• Keep the zone ID in a visible location, such as on the fridge or by the door.
• Ensure that family and friends, including kūpuna and other vulnerable groups, know their zones and practice emergency plans.
• MEMA will remind the public to “Know Your Zone” as part of outreach campaigns.

Residents are encouraged to sign up for MEMA Alerts emergency notifications. During registration, users can select how and where they wish to receive alerts, including landlines, cell phones, text/SMS messages and email. Access MEMA Alerts through the “County Alerts” button in the zone search results within the Genasys Protect app.

MEMA, in coordination with the Maui Police Department and Department of Fire and Public Safety, will go live with the platform at noon on May 1.

Non-subscriber emergency alerts include:

State’s All-Hazard Siren System. If a siren sounds, it’s important to tune in to local radio stations, news platforms, TV stations and credible social media pages for emergency updates.

Emergency Alert System is a public warning system used to communicate emergency information through broadcast, cable, satellite and wireless communication systems.

Wireless Emergency Alerts are short emergency messages sent to cell phones and other mobile devices by authorized authorities to alert people to imminent threats.

Door-to-door messaging. Evacuation advisories and orders, along with other emergency messaging, are conducted door-to-door by Maui Police Department and County of Maui Department of Fire and Public Safety.

MEMA will be at community events where residents can learn more and sign up for Genasys and MEMA alerts:

• MEMA’s Emergency Preparedness Expo - 10 a.m. to noon April 12 at Queen Kaahumanu Center
• Taro Fest - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 26 at Hana Ballpark
• Molokai Resource Fair - 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 10
• Lanai Pineapple Festival - 1 to 9 p.m. July 5 at Dole Park