Firefighter Graduates to Staff Airports On Maui, Molokai, Lanai

File photo by S. Welcker.

By Wendy Osher

Eleven new fire fighters will be assigned to aircraft rescue & fire-fighting stations at Kahului, Kapalua, Molokai and Lanai Airports after graduating from the Maui County Department of Fire and Public Safety.

The graduating class of 22 recruits completed 26 weeks of extensive instruction as part of a joint state-county training program.

Half of the graduates are being assigned to Maui County fire stations and the other half will be assigned to four state airports in the county.

State Transportation Director Glenn Okimoto said the new recruits will help to augment fire-fighting and rescue operations at four airports in Maui County, and ensure the safety of the traveling public in the event of an emergency.

Training included live fire-fighting, engine and vehicle operations, emergency medical training, hazardous materials response, vehicle extrication and rescue operations.

There was also training conducted in ocean, wildland and confined-space environments, along with helicopter and rope rescues.