Fire Chief Kenneth G. Silva                                 Deputy Fire Chief Emmit Kane 

The Honolulu Fire Department's (HFD) mission to save lives and protect property dates back to 1851.  However, today the Department protects the City and County of Honolulu (City) with a force of over 1,100 fire fighters.

 

The island is divided into five battalions containing 44 fire stations.  The total number of companies in a platoon is 43 engine companies, 13 ladder or quint companies, 2 rescue companies, 2 hazardous materials companies, 2 tower companies, 1 fireboat company, 6 tankers, and 2 helicopters.  Hazmat 1 and 2, the hazardous materials companies, are dispatched to incidents involving petroleum, radioactive substances, or toxic chemicals.  Also supporting the HFD's mission are several personal watercrafts and 3 rescue boats (2 of which are assigned to the search and rescue companies and 1 to the Waialua Fire Station). 

 

HFD fire fighters are under the command of Fire Chief Kenneth G. Silva.  Three bureaus support the fire suppression forces (Fire Operations):

     1.  Administrative Services Bureau (including Fire Fiscal)
     2.  Fire Operations

     3.  Planning and Development

     4.  Support Services

 

These bureaus coordinate the administrative, logistical, maintenance, code enforcement, and communication needs of the Department.  The cost of providing fire protection in fiscal year 2008-2009 is $90 million.  Although the cost sounds high, the per capita cost (the total budget divided by the protected population) is one of the lowest in the nation.  The HFD, however, continues to provide the finest fire protection and rescue services to the public.

 

On January 17, 2006, Chief Silva assumed command of the HFD.  Retiring Fire Chief Attilio K. Leonardi transferred leadership of the HFD in a Change of Command Ceremony held at the Honolulu Hale Courtyard.