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County accepts donated medical exams for firefighters in honor of late chief
Summary
The County Council approved Resolution 588-26 to accept a donation of about 150 National Fire Protection Association–standard medical exams (estimated value $131,250) for Hawaii firefighters; department leaders said the screenings will help address cancer and heart-disease risk among long-serving personnel.
The Hawaii County Council unanimously approved Resolution 588-26 to accept a donation of specialized medical examinations for the Fire Department, a package of roughly 150 NFPA-standard exams valued in the record at about $131,250.
Chris Sloman, the county’s fire safety specialist, told the council that the donor — identified in the record as a mainland medical provider — offered to bring mobile exam capability to both the Kona and Hilo sides of the island. "Paul Gransom, the owner of the company…offer[ed] to come out and do about 150 of these exams for our personnel," Sloman said, describing the exams as expanded annual screenings that include ultrasound and cancer screening elements recommended in recent NFPA guidance.
Temporary Fire Chief Daniel Volpe called the donation "very, very generous," and said the department has lacked the capacity to provide the expanded screening recommended in the newest NFPA standards. Sloman said the county will prioritize roughly 150 senior firefighters who have the greatest occupational exposure and schedule the exams on both sides of the island so personnel can follow up with their primary care providers if needed.
Councilmembers applauded the offer and described it as an important step toward improving first-responder health. The motion to accept the donation was moved and seconded and recorded as carrying with eight ayes and one member excused.
The donation will be accepted and the department will coordinate scheduling; the record notes the exams are to be provided in July and August and that the vendor will travel between Kona and Hilo.
