MANA — It may not be common knowledge that the Pacific Missile Range Facility at Barking Sands has its own fire department, but that doesn’t mean the group of 52 firefighters are off the map. In fact, the department was
MANA — It may not be common knowledge that the Pacific Missile Range Facility at Barking Sands has its own fire department, but that doesn’t mean the group of 52 firefighters are off the map.
In fact, the department was recently accredited by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International, joining the exclusive ranks of 119 departments worldwide.
“It validates our department,” said Fire Chief Bob Cecconi, who has been a PMRF firefighter for 20 years.
The Department of Defense requires that fire agencies receive the accreditation — even non-military contractors such as PMRF’s fire department. But Cecconi noted that only a handful of the 68 Navy fire agencies have reached the goal to date, putting his guys ahead of the curve. In addition, PMRF is the second in the state to complete the program, following behind the Honolulu Fire Department.
“The efforts required to achieve this coveted accreditation are not insignificant, and all of PMRF reap the benefits through a more ready and capable fire department,” Commanding Officer Capt. Aaron Cudnohufsky said in a press release. “… We all rest a little easier knowing we have one the best fire departments in the world watching over us.”
The nonprofit Commission on Fire Accreditation International was established in 1997 by multiple firefighter associations to assist agencies in achieving excellence through self-assessment.
Five years ago, under the leadership of then-Chief Robert Westerman, now the Kaua‘i Fire Department chief, the accreditation process was started. Cecconi said over four years of “hard, serious work,” he and Assistant Chief Alan Matsumoto put together the 400-page self-assessment document — sandwiched in a hefty binder, which now sits in his office.
The program asks participants to document their rules, procedures and practices across the 10 categories — from human resources to finance and, of course, fire fighting and rescue. The documentation is updated annually, and the accreditation must be renewed every five years. Teams from the commission also visited PMRF to evaluate the fire department.
In August, Cecconi went before the commission to accept the accreditation — a very formal event that put the chief a little out of his comfort zone. “I had to go out and buy a tie,” he said.
But the real honor for him was when the commission noted PMRF’s “fortitude,” a word Cecconi feels describes his crew well. Cecconi, a modest man who smiles easily, said the accreditation does not mean his department is better than others without it. It simply shows “that we’re doing what we say we’re doing,” he said.
As a result of the review, the department made changes that have resulted in faster response times, among other things. Cecconi cited quicker access to Polihale as one example. Instead of exiting the base and traveling down the road used by most beach-goers, the fire department now has access to a plantation road and gate that were previously restricted due to 9/11 security measures.
Of the 52-member staff, 27 of are full-time firefighters, and 13 are on-duty at all times. The non-military department falls under the umbrella of ITT Corp., which is contracted by the Department of Defense. The current 10-year contract is up for review next September, and Cecconi says the accreditation will surely help ITT secure another 10 years. It should also help obtain funding — another perk.
The PMRF Fire Department’s primary concern is the base. The crew stands by for every missile launch as well as aircraft take-offs and landings. Among the more challenging tasks, the crew has responded to parachute drops in the ocean and put out residual fires from rockets. Working with the county, the crew responds to rescues and fires at Polihale and Koke‘e — even as far east at Port Allen if their assistance is requested.
“We’re always in a state of readiness,” Cecconi said.
• Blake Jones, business writer/assistant editor, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 251) or bjones@kauaipubco.com.
