FOUR MAUI FIREFIGHTERS PROMOTED TO BATTALION CHIEF

Four members of the Maui Fire Department were promoted to Battalion Chief during a badge pinning ceremony Wednesday at the Kahului Fire Station.

Maui's newest Battalion Chiefs, James Kino, Valeriano Martin, Derrick Arruda, and Karl Kubo were promoted to their new posts during a badge pinning ceremony on Wednesday. Photo by Wendy Osher.

Those promoted include Derrick Arruda, James Kino, Karl Kubo and Valeriano Martin.

The expansion positions were among the administration’s goals set by Maui Fire Chief Jeff Murray, and part of the department’s strategic plan to better staff the stations and provide better communications during emergencies.

Prior to the BC approvals, the department was faced with one battalion chief overseeing all 14 stations covering Maui, Molokai and Lanai.  During emergencies, the BC is often called to the scene to assist with operations, leaving the department with reduced staffing in house to handle the county’s other district incidents.

The new staffing is expected to provide increased coverage for all the three fire watches.

(By Wendy Osher © 2009; Photos by Wendy Osher © 2009)  *** If you enjoyed this post, you may also like our story on a Maui Firefighter honored for an off duty incident.