The very best of the Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) were honored today along with the Department’s employees who achieved 25 and 35 years of service, during a luncheon hosted by The 200 Club at the Prince Waikiki.
Each employee is a dedicated public servant whose hard work and accomplishments helped the HFD deliver or support vital services provided to our community.
“We are grateful and proud of Battalion Chief (BC) Blake Takahashi, Fire Captains Keahi Ho and Brent Dillabaugh, and Ms. Brittnie Lau for being exceptional,” said Fire Chief Sheldon K. Hao. “These stellar employees epitomize the best of our Department and exemplify the commitment to excellence and dedication to public service. We also appreciate The 200 Club for helping us highlight and celebrate our very own.”
The 200 Club was formed in 1968 by local businessmen to aid the families of fire fighters and police officers killed in the line of duty. That practice is still followed today; however, they also provide funds to the HFD and the Honolulu Police Department toward the recognition of employees’ achievements.
The HFD’s 2024 Manager of the Year is Battalion Chief Blake Takahashi, who is a strong leader with 25 years, and skilled in project development and management, budget development, training planning and execution, solicitation and procurement, and federal grant management. He is the Program Manager for the basic fire fighting observation, which is an annual training cycle focused on fire ground operations. He plans the annual online training modules, hands-on training, and multicompany exercises that enable the HFD to gauge its fire fighters in these disciplines. BC Takahashi is also well-versed in the Technical Rescue Program, maintains an up-to-date program with industry standards, and serves as the Program Manager for the Technical Rescue Program.
This year’s Uniformed Employees of the Year are Captains Ho and Dillabaugh who have collectively served 41 years in the HFD and made a positive difference by performing their respective duties diligently and efficiently. Captain Ho is currently assigned to the Fire Operations division while Captain Dillabaugh is assigned to the Kakaʻako Fire Station. Their leadership and participation in various HFD programs are essential to maintaining a culture of safety and service and reflect their strong commitment to serve the HFD and the City and County of Honolulu.
The 2024 Civilian Employee of the Year is Ms. Lau who joined the HFD in 2021 and became its first Facilities Project Coordinator. She successfully established 6-, 25-, and 50-year replacement plans for the HFD’s 50 facilities by incorporating the Fire Chief’s vision and the Department’s and community’s needs. She is assigned to the Administrative Services Bureau where she helps oversee the projects that affect the Department’s facilities and ensures the Capital Improvement Program is executed as planned.
The HFD also recognized several of its employees who have dedicated 25 and 35 years of their life to public service. The Department thanked the family and friends of these employees for the unwavering love and support in reaching these career milestones.
