Allied Universal CEO issues statement on Maui wildfires

IRVINE, Calif. – Wildfires which started on Maui in early August have spread to become a federally declared major disaster as the deadliest U.S. wildfire in the past century, and Allied Universal CEO Steve Jones has issued a statement in response.

Among the 93 dead (as of reporting) was a member of Allied Universal’s team of security professionals, prompting the company to issue the following statement:

 “Like people around the world, I watched in shock as the deadliest wildfire in modern U.S. history devasted Maui last week. I worried about the safety of our valued team members, our customers and the community. My worries were realized. The Allied Universal team lost a security professional in the fire. Several others remain unaccounted for. We extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the Allied Universal security professional whose life was lost in the fire near Lahaina. And, we remain hopeful that those who are unaccounted for are safe and will be located soon,” Jones said.

He continued. “We’ve opened our Maui office as shelter to employees who lost their homes or are unable to access them. We are working to get much-needed supplies, grief counseling and additional support to our team members and others. We continue serving our clients on Maui where it is safe to do so, including Kahului Airport. I commend our team members who lost loved ones and their homes but continue working to ensure the safety of people and property. Allied Universal’s top priority is safety – the safety of our team members and the communities we serve. Our thoughts go out to the victims, the survivors, their loved ones, the 29 customers we serve on Maui, the island’s community and the entire state of Hawaii.”

In addition to the death count their remains an estimated 1,000 people currently unaccounted for and causes for the 2170 acre fires remain unclear.