When the fires in Maui erupted without warning, Bryan Stern immediately sprang into action. He rapidly deployed an operations team to the Hawaiian island as the fires ravaged Maui, leaving behind unprecedented destruction. Despite the chaos, Bryan and his team were on the ground less than 24 hours after the fires began, diving headfirst into hot zones to aid in search and rescue efforts, locate missing loved ones and pets, and deliver critically needed supplies to survivors.
CASE STUDY:
DISASTER RESPONSE TO MAUI WILDFIRES
HELICOPTER / GROUND RESCUE & AID OPERATIONS IN MAUI DURING THE WILDFIRES OF 2023
Disaster response at the speed of need
The Operation:
Bryan and his team were airborne and on the ground almost a week before the Department of Defense and federal resources arrived. Within the first week, they conducted over four dozen air and ground missions across Maui’s devastated areas. Communications were severely hampered due to the destruction of infrastructure and the island’s mountainous terrain, but Bryan and his team facilitated reconnections wherever possible, helping those affected by the fires reach their loved ones.
Life-Saving Deliveries:
In addition to air evacuation missions, the team partnered with a local Maui company to transport perishable and vital life-saving supplies. Utilizing helicopters and trucks, they delivered gallons of donated breast milk to those stranded on the island who had lost everything, including their families, children, pets, and homes.
Elite Collaboration:
Working hand in hand with local Maui first responders, the four-man team brought over 100 years of combined experience from Army Special Operations, Navy Special Operations, and the Intelligence Community. This expertise was crucial in assessing and mitigating various threats effectively, navigating the complexities of the disaster-stricken environment, and ensuring the safety of those they aimed to rescue.
Lasting Impact:
Over 1,000 civilians remain unaccounted for, missing, and presumed dead from the Maui wildfires. The Grey Bull Rescue Team will draw from their extensive experience in the aftermath of this disaster to enhance future disaster response efforts. The challenges faced during the Maui rescue and assistance operation will inform and refine future operations, particularly those with similar access and logistics constraints, ensuring even more effective responses in times of crisis.
Conclusion:
Through their tireless efforts, Bryan Stern and his team demonstrated the power of swift, decisive action and the profound impact of dedicated humanitarian aid, setting a new standard for emergency response operations. Their heroic actions not only saved lives but also provided a blueprint for future rescues, reinforcing the importance of being prepared, responsive, and resilient in the face of disaster.
Grey Bull Rescue steps in, promising to never abandon Americans in need.
Grey Bull Rescue’s team of elite special operations experts began their work during the failed U.S. evacuation of Afghanistan, successfully rescuing countless Americans and allies. Since then, more than 7,000 men, women, children, babies, and even beloved pets credit Stern and his team for safely evacuating them from disaster zones.
This includes operations in 35 countries including Ukraine, Russia, Sudan, Israel, Haiti, and the United States during the devastating Maui wildfires and following Hurricane Ian in Florida. Grey Bull Rescue Foundation is as much about the heroes who support us as the heroes who conduct the missions.
All of our work is made possible by the concern, care, and extraordinary generosity of public and private donors. In areas where government support is not possible, Grey Bull Rescue steps in, promising to never abandon Americans in need.