Hawai'i FD Uses Prepared to Enhance Volcano Eruption Response

At 11:30PM local time on Sunday, November 27th, the long-dormant Mauna Loa Volcano erupted on the "Big Island" of Hawai'i. Per the US National Park Service, the volcano makes up 51% of the island.

The spread of ash and lava can pose a critical threat to local communities and are monitored constantly following an eruption. When the Hawai'i Fire Department (which serves the island/county of Hawai'i), alongside other government and environmental agencies on the island, began to assess the lava flow from Mauna Loa, they did so with a new tool at their disposal: Prepared Live.

Using a helicopter, Hawai'i FD personnel flew over and around the volcano to investigate and gain an understanding of how the lava was flowing. Rather than simply recording video to send back to the center later on, they employed Prepared Live to livestream the scene directly to their dispatch center.

As seen in the image above, Hawai'i FD personnel were able to capture a broad view of Mauna Loa, providing critical insight for their agency's response. You can view the video here.

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Prepared is proud to work with innovative public safety agencies like the Hawai'i Fire Department.

We send our thoughts and prayers to the local community, dispatchers, and field responders as they work to address this emergency.