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Be prepared for a new threat

By Staff | Mar 19, 2020

We hope and pray that the Coronavirus won’t become a major problem on the island.

If it does, what are the implications for remote West Maui?

The West Maui Taxpayers Association (WMTA) is continuing to advocate for emergency planning for our isolated community. Now, there are new concerns associated with the Coronavirus.

“In emergencies, our options are limited and our challenges heightened by the threat of the Coronavirus. It’s already a serious risk to live in West Maui – over an hour away from access to an emergency room for lifesaving acute care. It’s obvious that this new threat illustrates things are worse when pandemic healthcare threats present themselves,” noted Joe Pluta of WMTA last week.

Fortunately, West Maui is home to Dr. Dennis Terpin, an expert in emergency planning. A Certified Master Level Instructor for FEMA/Homeland Security, Terpin has nearly 50 years of experience in the Occupational Safety and Health, Laboratory Safety and Emergency Management fields.

The authority on pre-pandemic planning and preparations will speak at a WMTA community meeting on Monday, April 6, at 5 p.m. at the West Maui Senior Center. The event is free and open to the public.

Terpin has planned a special follow-up Business Continuity Planning Workshop for Pandemic Events WMTA will sponsor the following day, April 7, from 8 a.m. to noon.

He can help business owners develop their own Pandemic Policy using a template he will provide to all who register for the workshop. Contact him at Ua446@aol.com or (630) 699-7171 for details.

More information on these events can be found at www.westmaui.org.

As Pluta explained, “‘Failing to plan is planning to fail’ has been an axiom taken to heart in our isolated community when emergencies occur.”

Be prepared for any emergency here.