LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i Fire Department was notified by Sen. Daniel Inouye’s office last week that they were selected for a $1,625,700 Assistance to Firefighters Grant from the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency, according to a county
LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i Fire Department was notified by Sen. Daniel Inouye’s office last week that they were selected for a $1,625,700 Assistance to Firefighters Grant from the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency, according to a county press release.
“We are very pleased to receive a generous grant that will support the mission of the Kaua‘i Fire Department in their continued efforts to keep our community safe,” said Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. in the release. “In these challenging economic times, partnerships such as this play a significant role in helping us serve the needs of our residents and visitors. We want to acknowledge the Department of Homeland Security for the award and Sen. Daniel Inouye and the U.S. Fire Administrations for their assistance.”
The grant will be distributed on a sliding scale over the next four years and will be used to recruit and hire 15 firefighters.
“The funds will go a long way towards providing critical staffing levels at each of our stations, and will enhance our services to the community tremendously,” said Kaua‘i Fire Chief Robert Westerman in the release.
This year, the fire department will receive $585, 225, which will cover 90 percent of the staffing costs for the new firefighters and the county will pick up the 10 percent balance.
Next year, the grant amount will be $520, 125, while the county’s portion will rise to 20 percent.
The fire department will be awarded $325,015 in the third year of the program and $195, 300 in the fourth year, with the county paying 50 percent and 70 percent of the total costs respectively.
Training for 10 recruits will begin on March 2 and five more will start their training about 90 days later.
Each of the classes will undergo three months of rigorous training including: classroom instruction on fire behavior; building construction; ventilation and causes of fire; as well as hands-on training in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation; being a first responder; fire, water and rope rescue; wildland firefighting; fire apparatus driving; laddering; vehicle extrication; forcible entry; and fire safety and prevention.
Following the initial session, the firefighter trainees will be assigned to fire stations where they will receive nine months of on-the-job training.
After successfully completing the final phase, the trainees will become full-fledged firefighters.
