(Above photo, front Row (kneeling): Captain Kurt Leong, FF Marc Beeby, FF3 Makali’i Andrade, FF Shane Pope, FF Jody Simpson. Back row (standing): FF Troy Schmidt, FF Ambelique Hedstrom, County of Kaua’i’s Procurement Specialist Jason Coloma, County of Kaua’i’s Budget Chief Ernie Barreira, Deputy Fire Chief Kilipaki Vaughan, Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr., Kahu Lady Ipo Kahauna’ele-Ferreira, Captain Shawn Thompson, FF Micah Thayer, FF Robert Grance, Fire Commission Chair Michael Martinez, KFD Apparatus Lead Captain Solomon Kanoho, and Rosenbauer/Burton’s Fire Representative John Blalock.)
By Staff Reports
(Kauai) – The Kaua’i Fire Department held a blessing ceremony on Thursday at the Hanalei fire station for its new Engine 1 fire apparatus.
Engine 1 is a 2017 Rosenbauer Triple Combination commercial pumper designed for Hanalei district’s unique environment, which extends from Moloa’a to Ke’e. 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.
“The design and purchase of Engine 1 was a partnered effort among county departments, community associations and the private industry,” stated Deputy Fire Chief Kilipaki 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 approximately $420,000 was made possible by funds saved from the purchase of Ladder 4 in 2016, which received 90 percent federal funding through a FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG).
“Mahalo and congratulations to the Kaua’i Fire Department and partners for working diligently to assure that our North Shore community is protected from mauka to makai,” stated Mayor Bernard P. 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 Kahauna’ele-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.