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Fire chief says FY27 budget largely intact; department highlights Next Gen recruitment and equipment purchases
Summary
Chief Bradford Ventura told the commission most FY27 budget requests including equipment and expansion positions survived council review; the department is launching a Next Gen firefighter recruitment program and has completed many planned equipment purchases ahead of the summer season.
Fire Chief Bradford Ventura summarized April–May department work and said the Fire Department’s FY27 budget largely survived council review, with salary adjustments trimmed but equipment and expansion positions preserved. He said the second reading was completed and the budget will return to the mayor for final signature shortly. “The second reading was last week, and so that should return back to the mayor for final signature here shortly,” Ventura said.
Ventura and Deputy Chief Gavin Fujioka outlined the new Next Gen firefighter program targeting 16–21‑year‑olds, arrival of new mini brush trucks and planning for vehicle specifications for FY27. The department also reported progress on FirstNet/AT&T cellular augmentation gear and a mobile camera MOU with Hawaiian Electric to monitor high‑risk areas after fires. The finance snapshot in the packet showed equipment purchases were near completion as the fiscal year closed.
