PRINCEVILLE — The Kauai Fire Department held a blessing ceremony Thursday at the Princeville fire station for its new fire truck. The new Engine 1 (Princeville fire station) is a 2017 Rosenbauer Triple Combination commercial pumper designed for the district’s
PRINCEVILLE — The Kauai Fire Department held a blessing ceremony Thursday at the Princeville fire station for its new fire truck.
The new Engine 1 (Princeville fire station) is a 2017 Rosenbauer Triple Combination commercial pumper designed for the district’s unique environment, Moloaa to Kee. The new engine replaces a 12-year-old Pierce Engine and is customized to ensure fire protection across Hanalei’s challenging response environment, including bridges with limited weight restrictions, rural topography, and areas of limited access, said KFD Deputy Chief Kilipaki Vaughan.
“The design and purchase of Engine 1 was a partnered effort among county departments, community associations and the private industry,” said Vaughan. “I applaud the entire team for their commitment to provide this needed apparatus that will endure the challenging circumstances and changing weather of the Hanalei area.”
The purchase of Engine 1 at about $420,000 was made possible by funds saved from the purchase of Ladder 4 (Koloa) in 2016, which received 90 percent federal funding through a Federal Emergency Management Agency Assistance to Firefighters Grant.
“Mahalo and congratulations to the Kauai Fire Department and partners for working diligently to assure that our North Shore community is protected from mauka to makai,” said Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. “Engine 1 is truly an example of effective resourcing and collaboration for the overall health, wellness and safety of this community.”
Kahu “Lady” Ipo Kahaunaele-Ferreira officiated the hands-on blessing of Engine 1 and the Hanalei fire station and its crew, to an audience of approximately 65 KFD personnel and family, government officials, private-industry representatives and community partners.
