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Council forwards FEMA SAFER grant to fund 12 temporary firefighters, members urge long‑term funding plan
Summary
The Finance Committee voted to forward a FEMA SAFER grant and companion budget bill that would fund 12 temporary firefighter positions for understaffed rural stations. Fire officials and council members urged the administration to plan to absorb positions into the county budget after the grant.
The Hawaii County Finance Committee voted March 3 to forward a FEMA SAFER grant agreement to the full council that would fund 12 temporary firefighter positions in understaffed rural communities, including Waimea, North Kohala, Waikoloa and Pahala.
Acting Chief Daniel Volpe told the committee the department supports the positions and confirmed the work is needed: "Short answer to that question is yes," he said when asked whether the department favors making the positions permanent. Volpe noted the department has seen call volumes rise sharply — to more than 31,000 calls in 2024 — and said rural stations often lack immediate backup.
Council members framed the grant as an important step but pressed the administration to plan for converting temporary positions to permanent ones after the three‑year grant period. Council member Kirkowitz said the county should use the grant as a bridge to increase staffing to meet NFPA standards and reduce operational risk.
The resolution (4 78‑26) authorizes the mayor to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with FEMA to receive $2,678,274.60 for the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program. The committee also forwarded Bill 133, the companion budget amendment that appropriates $271,447 in SAFER staffing funds to the county operating budget for the current fiscal year; both measures were forwarded with favorable recommendations (committee vote recorded: 9 ayes).
The acting chief and several council members urged the administration to identify how the county will fund the positions after federal support ends; corporation counsel and finance deputies said permanent absorption of positions would require budgeting action. Councilors directed staff to work with department leaders and Corporation Counsel to clarify long‑term fiscal impacts before final council readings.
What happens next: Resolution 478‑26 and Bill 133 will be considered by the full council. Committee members signaled strong support for the grant but asked administration leaders to provide a plan for maintaining positions beyond the grant term.
