IV. CIVIL DEFENSE AGENCY
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Harry Kim, Administrator, has been the Administrator of the Civil Defense Agency since 1976. Hawaii has always been home to him, his wife and two sons. |
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Bruce D. Butts, Assistant Administrator, was born and raised on the Island of Hawaii. Upon graduation from the University of Hawaii, he began his county service in 1974. He has been with Civil Defense since 1979 and was appointed Assistance Civil Defense Administrator in 1985. |
ROLE AND DUTIES
The Civil Defense Agency is the emergency management agency for the County of Hawaii and its responsibilities are divided in the areas of PREPAREDNESS and emergency RESPONSE.
In PREPAREDNESS, the civil defense responsibilities (as stated in the County of Hawaii Emergency Operations Plan) are to direct and coordinate the development and administration of the county’s total disaster preparedness and response program, to ensure prompt and effective action when natural or man-caused disaster threatens or occurs anywhere in the County of Hawaii.
In RESPONSE, the civil defense responsibilities are to direct and coordinate warning-evacuation of affected areas and other disaster-response operations to protect life and property, and to maintain or restore essential services and facilities. Coordinate requests from individuals and agencies for operational assistance—police, fire-rescue services, debris clearance, emergency repairs, mass care, health-medical services, or augmentation of resources, coordinate disaster assistance and recovery operations.
STAFF
Mayor Stephen K. Yamashiro serves as Deputy Director of the Civil Defense Agency.
The Civil Defense Agency has six permanent employees:
Administrator: |
Harry Kim |
Assistant Administrator: |
Bruce Butts |
Plans & Operations Officer: |
Wendell Hatada |
Logistics & Supply Officer: |
Lanny Nakano |
Secretary: |
Dot Yanagisawa |
Account Clerk: |
Mei Jayne Hirayama |
BUDGET
The operating budget for Fiscal Year 1998-99 was $458.013.
HIGHLIGHTS/ACTIVITIES
The Civil Defense Agency participates in various exercises conducted on a statewide or island-wide basis. These range from the monthly siren tests to exercises that are directed to only schools, hospitals, and other agencies.
Educational sessions were conducted to acquaint the public in civil defense procedures. Meetings were conducted with community associations, business establishments, and other organizations to better understand and improve roles during emergency situations. These included warning systems and actions required by citizens.
The Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency is required to coordinate and provide training in the areas of hazardous materials, radiological defense, and civil defense emergency response procedures. Training is provided to county agencies, state agencies, and private organizations.
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