08-30-2022 CIVIL DEFENSE AGENCY COMMENTS (PL-USE-2022-004)

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w+or N T �•;4 Mitchell D.Roth Mayor Lee E.Lord #'�;� d�= +�* Talmadge J. Magno Managing Director r= Civil Defense Administrator RobertH.Command County of Hawaii Deputy Manan aging Director CIVIL DEFENSE AGENCY 920 Ululani Street • Hilo,Hawai'i 96720-3958 (808)935-0031 • Fax(808)935-6460 Aug. 29, 2022 County of Hawaii Windward Planning Commission Aupuni Center 101 Pauahi St. Hilo, Hawaii 96720 wpctestimony@hawaiicounty.gov RE: Renegades Cell Tower in Kaumana Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency support efforts that move the island toward community resiliency and the ability to communicate is a key component to this point. The Renegades Cell Tower with collocutor AT&T's project to erect a cell tower in Kaumana increases the communication along what has developed as the main cross island corridor for residents, visitors and commerce to access both sides of the island. The capability to communicate by cell phone through this busy yet remote corridor increases capacity through redundancy in communication systems which supports community resiliency and public safety. Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency and FEMA's Integrated Public Alert and Warning System use the cell phone network as one the modes to issue emergency messages. By the nature of Hawaii Island we are exposed to many natural hazards that require emergency messaging to the community as well as accidents which requires public safety response and community notifications for road closures or other disruptions to our lives. The redundancy of another communication mode provides capacity if other systems fail or are overwhelmed as seen in prior natural disasters. The benefits of this tower and future towers that enhance communications through cell signal helps with the safety and productivity of our community and should be supported for its purpose. Talmadge Magno Civil Defense Administrator County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.