[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 41 (Thursday, March 7, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H1012]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          MAUI 911 CALL CENTER

  (Ms. TOKUDA asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. TOKUDA. Mr. Speaker, when things go wrong, when disaster strikes, 
the first call most of us will make is 911.
  On August 8, 2023, dispatchers at Maui's 911 call center were the 
ones that answered over 4,500 callers as they called in about the 
wildfires that were tearing through the island.
  Through it all, our Maui dispatchers were the first responders who 
answered the call. Many of them were desperately waiting to hear from 
their own loved ones, some of whom did not make it.
  They operated under incredible stress, absorbing the panic and terror 
of the callers, providing comfort and direction. There is no doubt in 
my mind that on that fateful day they saved lives.
  Last week, Maui's call center team received the 2023 Outstanding Call 
Center Award from the Next Gen 911 Institute. They are ``Maui Strong,'' 
and they represent the very best of us.
  All those who answer the call when we need them most deserve to be 
recognized for what they truly are--first responders. That is why I am 
proud to cosponsor the bipartisan 911 SAVES Act led by Representatives 
Norma Torres and Brian Fitzpatrick.
  In honor of all of our dispatchers, it is our turn to answer the call 
and pass the 911 SAVES Act.

                          ____________________