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FIRE DEPARTMENT
Role and Duties
The duties of the Fire Department are:
to respond to any emergency with proper equipment and trained personnel in a timely manner so as to minimize personal injury, loss of life or property loss; to provide fire safety mitigation activities through education of fire safety codes; and to accomplish our goals and objectives with professionalism and fiscal responsibility.
Major Goals and Objectives
The major goals and objectives of the Fire Department are to provide the highest level of service, above and beyond what people expect, in life preservation, incident stabilization and property conservation.
Highlights of the Year
New location of Naalehu Station.
Construction of new Laupahoehoe Station.
Formulation of Waiki‘i Volunteer Fire Fighters.
Adoption of new Fireworks Bill.
Ten new Fire Recruits on board.
Two-battalion system.
Creation of the Fire Commission.
Creation of three new positions for Hawaiian Ocean View Estates.
Certification of five MICT's.
Selected and hired six MICT's.
Acquisition of two new trucks for Honokaa and Keaau.
Acquisition of one Forestry truck for Eden Roc.
November Flood
We rescued isolated families by chopper.
Performed several rescues and evacuations of victims trapped in their homes or vehicles.
Assisted flood victims following rescue/evacuation.
Pahala and Naalehu Stations were inaccessible by way of Ka'u. They had to be reached via the Hamakua Coast or Saddle Road.
Fire Administration office had to be relocated due to flooding.
Divisions
The Fire Protection Division has the responsibility of protecting life and property from fire and various other emergencies.
Emergency situations routinely managed include: (1) fire suppression (structural, vehicular, brush, crops, etc.); (2) medical emergencies; (3) land and sea rescues; (4) vehicular or other extrications; (5) hazardous materials emergencies such as petroleum or chemical product spills.
The Training/Safety Division helps fire companies attain and maintain high levels of proficiency, efficiency and readiness. The objective of the division is to establish standardized, comprehensive training procedures, following nationally-accepted performance standards for company officers, fire equipment operators, fire fighters, fire rescue specialists, and fire fighter recruits. The mission of the Training/Safety Division is to maintain and provide quality training and service, with safety for its fire fighters the highest priority.
The Volunteer Training Division provides island-wide standardization of instruction for all Volunteer Fire Fighters. There are 22 volunteer companies throughout the Island of Hawaii with approximately 250 volunteers.
Communications, Equipment Maintenance & Support Divisions
The Fire Communications Control Center receives Emergency 911 calls and dispatches emergency units and personnel. The Equipment Maintenance Section maintains and repairs Fire Department vehicles. The Support Section maintains stock control and inventory records for 1,256 pieces of major equipment; issues, inspects, replaces and/or repairs personal protective equipment; provides personnel working at major fires with logistical support and arranges for heavy equipment to assist with fires.
The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Division provides the community and visitors with quality pre-hospital emergency care.
The Fire Prevention Division manages life and fire safety requirements affecting the County of Hawaii. It enforces all fire codes and regulations; reviews building plans; makes inspections of various occupancies.
The Fiscal Division plans, directs, and coordinates the fiscal activities for the entire department through control of budget development, expenditures, and review. It manages the purchasing, accounts receivable, and payrolls.
The Personnel Division administers day-to-day departmental personnel matters.
Fire Commission
Terry R. Wallace, Chair
Karen T. Maedo, Vice-Chair
Alexander R. Biro
Stephen P. Bowles
Neil Brazier
Dale A. Fergerstrom
Natalie M. Flattes
Rudy C. Hart
Louis Kaoiwi
Fire Board of Appeals
Joseph A. Gomes
Gary K. Yoshimura
Herbert T. Hayama
Charles H. Cope
This page was modified on May 14, 2002
©Copyright 2002 County of Hawaii, Hawaii
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