Amidst the raging wildfires that have swept through Hawaii, a multitude of individuals find themselves displaced.
Tragedy has struck with immense force in Hawaii, resulting in the unfortunate demise of no less than 99 individuals due to the relentless wildfires. This calamity has etched its mark as the most fatal conflagration in the United States in over a century.
The blaze’s ferocity has left in its wake a trail of destruction, reducing numerous edifices and vital infrastructure to ashes. Consequently, the reliability of cellular service, essential for seeking aid, has been greatly compromised.
In the face of such predicaments, where the absence of service can exacerbate the impact of natural disasters, Apple responded proactively. Last year, they introduced a pivotal feature designed to ensure that communication with emergency services remained feasible even in the absence of functional mobile networks.
This innovative offering is Emergency SOS via satellite, a function seamlessly integrated into the iPhone 14. It facilitates communication with emergency services via text messaging in situations where conventional mobile and Wi-Fi coverage is absent.
For other models of iPhones, the SOS feature can be invoked when the status bar displays ‘SOS,’ signifying the availability of a mobile network for emergency calls.
The Apple Emergency SOS functionality showcases its mastery by initiating a call to the nearby emergency number independently, simultaneously disseminating accurate location details to the attending authorities.
Moreover, this attribute grants users the authority to assign emergency contacts, affording them the capability to be contacted via written communications subsequent to the initiation of an exigency call.
In the event that SOS mode is activated, designated contacts receive real-time updates regarding any shifts in the user’s location.
One individual, Michael Miraflor, who goes by the moniker ‘X’ (formerly Twitter user), recounted an account that underscored the potency of this feature. In the midst of the Hawaiian wildfires, he narrated how this functionality was instrumental in rescuing an acquaintance. Accompanied by a screenshot from the iPhone depicting the sequence of events following the activation of SOS mode, Miraflor recounted the ordeal.
He shared, “My brother’s girlfriend’s cousin and his family were ensnared in their vehicle in Maui when the wildfires unexpectedly erupted around them.”
The captured screenshot illuminated a conversation between the fire department and dispatchers, detailing the group’s precise coordinates, which were subsequently relayed to the dispatcher.
As Miraflor recounted, the group was promptly evacuated within a half-hour, an outcome directly attributed to the life-saving capabilities of the Emergency SOS feature.
For those utilizing an iPhone 8 or a newer iteration, SOS can be triggered by simultaneously pressing and holding the side button and one of the volume buttons until the Emergency SOS slider emerges.
Subsequently, the slider can be maneuvered to initiate the emergency call. Alternatively, if the side button and volume button are continued to be held, a countdown will commence, accompanied by an alert, as elucidated by Apple. Releasing the buttons upon the countdown’s culmination will result in the automatic initiation of a call to the emergency services.
Conversely, in the case of iPhone 7 or preceding iterations, the SOS mode can be engaged through the rapid actuation of either the lateral or uppermost button on the device, a total of five instances. This deed gives rise to the emergence of the Emergency Call slider, subsequently amenable to manipulation, thereby effecting the establishment of a communication link with the exigency services.
For those inclined to contribute towards assisting the communities impacted by the Hawaiian wildfires, a means to do so is by donating to the Hawaii Community Foundation’s Maui Strong Fund. Additional information can be accessed by clicking here.
Similarly, donations to the American Red Cross, a benevolent organization providing sustenance, medical provisions, shelter, and water to the afflicted, are also warmly welcomed.