County of Hawaii 1996 - 1997 Annual Report: Hawaii County Fire Department

Fire Chief Nelson Tsuji started his career with the Hawaii County Fire Department in 1967. During his 26 years in the fire service, he rose through the ranks, becoming a Fire Equipment Operator in 1976, and in 1979, became a Captain and station commander at Waimea Fire Station. He obtained a Associate of Arts Degree in Fire Science from Hawaii Community College in 1976. From 1984 to 1986, he was a Fire Science instructor at the Hawaii Community College. He has been active in community affairs, and in 1985, co-founded the A Dream Come True organization. In 1987, he was selected by the Aloha Exchange Club as their first Fireman of the Year. In 1988, he was recognized by the County Council, State Representatives and State Senators for his community involvement and participation. As present administrator, he has instituted innovative ideas to provide the highest level of services in life preservation, incident stabilization, and property conservation.

In October, 1970, Deputy Fire Chief Edward Bumatay joined the Hawaii Fire Department and was one of the first graduates of the Mobile Intensive Care Technician (MICT) Program. He also holds an Associate of Arts Degree in Fire Science from the Hawaii Community College. He cam up through the ranks, and in 1989, he was appointed Deputy Fire Chief during the administratio0n of Mayor Bernard Akana. After the termination of his appointment , he returned to his position as Fire Captain at Waiakea Fire Station and served in that capacity until his current appointment as Deputy Fire Chief effective July 16, 1993.

The Hawaii County Fire Department has the responsibility of protecting life and property from fire and multifarious emergencies. In answer to this challenge, the Fire Department's multi-emergency work force manages a variety of crises throughout the Island of Hawaii and its adjacent shores. Emergency situations routinely managed includes: (1) fire suppression (structural, vehicular, brush, crops, etc.); (2) medical emergencies (pre-hospital for traumatic or natural illness); (3) land and sea rescues or searches involving water sports or fishing, overdue hikers, hunters, or fishermen, etc.; (4) vehicular or other extrications; (5) hazardous materials mitigation of petroleum or chemical product leak(s), ruptures, or spills.

1. Provide fire safety mitigation activities through education of fire safety code enforcement.

2. Provide an adequate response to any emergency with proper equipment and trained personnel in a timely manner that minimize personal injury or property loss and loss of life.

3. Accomplish our assigned missions with relentless professionalism and fiscal responsibility.

The Fire Appeals Board was established to review appeals from the decision of the Fire Chief in the administration of the Fire Code involving any denial of the use of new or alternate materials, types of construction, equipment, devices or appliances, or any petition for varying the application of the Fire Code. Such appeals may be submitted to the Board for hearing and determination.

The Training/Safety Division serves to provide training resources; to assist company officers and their members in improving company operations toward maintaining high levels of proficiency, efficiency and readiness; and to assert upon all members the reduction and prevention of accidents, injuries and occupational illnesses.

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 being of highest priority."

The Department continued its efforts to provide rural communities with a viable fire fighting force comprised of volunteers from the respective districts. The volunteers also contribute to reduced fire insurance rate classification.

To accomplish this, the Department provides necessary equipment and training which allows these volunteer units to function independently as first responders to fire emergencies before the arrival of the nearest responding 24-hour fire crews. Volunteers also serve as a valuable reserve force that can be mobilized for use at large-scale brush fires or natural disasters.

1. Volunteer training
2. Volunteer daily operations
3. Public Relations/Education
4. Driver Training & Improvement Program
5. Safety Policies
6. CPR Training
7. Wildland Fire Training
8. PUC Physical Examinations
9. Grant Writing
10. Vehicle Maintenance
11. Coordinate with other agencies on equipment procurement
12. Hazardous Material Training

The Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Division's major function is to provide the community and its visitors the highest level service, above and beyond what people expect in pre-hospital emergency care while abiding by the contract between the State Emergency Medical Services System Branch and the Hawaii County Fire Department.

The Fire Prevention Bureau 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, including places of assembly, educational and health care facilities, detention occupancies such as hotels, apartments, dormitories, lodging or rooming houses, and mercantile, business, industrial and storage facilities; investigates fires and makes compilations as to cause, origin and circumstances for public record; summons and compels the attendance of witnesses and produces evidence regarding subpoenas and litigation matters; responsible for the county-wide medicare/medicaid inspection and safety of facilities; administers and collects permit fees as required under the Hawaii County Fire Code.

The goal of this program is synonymous with its name, "fire prevention." Through coordinated fire mitigation activities such as public fire prevention educational programs, fire hazard abatement, code enforcement relative to life safety and building construction peculiarity, HFD's Fire Prevention Division strives to prevent the tragic loss of life and property.

Quantification of fire prevention programs is very difficult, especially in the absence of dramatic fires; however, the renowned adage that an ounce of prevention is worth a ton of cure cannot be over-emphasized.

*P-2 is on industrial leave and exact count cannot be verified. Computed to the month May, 1997.

*I-2 is on industrial leave and exact count cannot be made. Count for plans check was retrieved from P-1's office; other counts unretrievable from computer at Inspectors Office.