Department of Transportation

10/26/12

KAHULUI — Eleven new fire-fighters will be assigned to Aircraft Rescue & Fire-Fighting stations at Kahului, Kapalua, Molokai and Lanai Airports after graduating today from the Maui County Department of Fire and Public Safety training program.

The graduating class of 22 recruits in the joint State-County training program completed 26 weeks of extensive instruction.  Training components included live fire-fighting, engine and vehicle operations, emergency medical training, hazardous materials response, vehicle extrication and rescue operations in all likely scenarios that may occur across the islands.  These included training in ocean, wildland and confined-space environments, along with helicopter and rope rescues.

“The eleven new recruits will help to augment fire-fighting and rescue operations at four airports in our Maui District and help to ensure the safety of the traveling public in the event of emergencies,” said Glenn Okimoto, state Department of Transportation Director.  “We want to thank the Maui County Department of Fire and Public Safety for their facilitation and immense cooperation in this joint training.”

Eleven of the graduates will be assigned to Maui County fire stations and eleven will be assigned to four state airports on Maui, Molokai and Lanai.

Eleven new fire-fighters will be assigned to Aircraft Rescue & Fire-Fighting stations at Kahului, Kapalua and Molokai and Lanai Airports. They will work out of ARFF stations like the recently-dedicated station seen here at Lanai Airport.