Dennis Furushima is scheduled to take over today as new chief of the Kaua’i Fire Department, coming out of retirement to do so. Furushima is a 29-year KFD veteran named to the position Monday by Mayor Bryan J. Baptiste. He
Dennis Furushima is scheduled to take over today as new chief of the Kaua’i Fire Department, coming out of retirement to do so.
Furushima is a 29-year KFD veteran named to the position Monday by Mayor Bryan J. Baptiste.
He retired from the department in 2002, last serving as a captain at the Kalaheo fire station. He served previously as KFD training officer.
Baptiste said Furushima’s experience as training officer will be beneficial as he leads the department.
“I believe Dennis will place much emphasis on personnel development,” the mayor said in a prepared statement. “He wants people to be the best they can be.”
Furushima said he plans to develop ways to prevent liability actions against personnel in the county and the fire department.
Training the department in areas such as Weapons of Mass Destruction is another goal.
He also added he would be focusing on building morale among the department personnel and encouraging the staff to work as a team.
“There are a lot of new training programs for fire departments right now,” Furushima said. “I’d like to see the Kaua’i Fire Department move ahead in those areas.”
