Committee forwards resolution to formalize Hawaii County–state ARFF training agreement

The Committee on Government Operations and External Affairs voted to forward Resolution 573-24 to the full Hawaii County Council with a favorable recommendation after hearing from Hawaii Fire Department representatives.

The resolution would authorize the mayor to enter into a memorandum of agreement with the State Airport Rescue Fire Fighting Unit (ARFF) under Hawaii Revised Statutes section 46-7 to enable mutual assistance and joint recruit training between county firefighters and state airport rescue firefighters. The clerk read the resolution to the committee before members moved and seconded the measure.

Chair Cindy Evans asked the fire department to describe how the agreement would operate. "My name is BC Patrick Springer, Hawaii fire department," said BC Patrick Springer, who told the committee the primary training location will be Hilo Fire Station No. 3 at the golf course, though the county also uses Kona and Hilo ARFF resources at the international airports for training. "This agreement, I believe, lasts for 1 year," Springer said, and described the first year as a written, trial period to allow for future revisions.

Council Member Kerkowitz praised Springer’s leadership and said she supported moving the resolution forward. "We will be supporting the resolution," Kerkowitz said during discussion, adding that clear coordination of roles and responsibilities between county and state personnel is important before a disaster.

Vice Chair Su Li Loy called the vote: the clerk reported six ayes and recorded Council Members Villegas, Kanialee Kleinfelder and Inaba as absent unexcused. The committee approved forwarding Resolution 573-24 to the full council with a favorable recommendation.

The measure now advances to the full Hawaii County Council for consideration; the transcript records no further debate in committee on the item.