Today, the Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) honored the life and service of Fire Fighter (FF) I Jeffrey Fiala who passed away in the line of duty, bravely protecting our community on January 6, 2025. With heavy hearts, the men and women of the HFD stood shoulder to shoulder with first responder agencies from across the state and nation to give a final salute to our hero gone too soon.

Below, the family wishes to share a statement of gratitude to the community FFI Jeffrey Fiala loved, served and protected.

Aloha,

From the entire Fiala family, please accept our mahalo to everyone who has publicly and privately expressed their love and support for Jeff. We feel and see your love. Our family is so enormously proud of Jeff; his love of family, love of Fiona, love as a firefighter, love of his friends, love of fishing, love of Hawaii and the people that he served daily are a true and lasting testament to the life that he lived.

We want to recognize the efforts of everyone who directly and indirectly supported this service and the support given to the entire Fiala family. Your efforts are extremely supportive and have helped all of us dealing with Jeff’s loss. To the members of the City and County of Honolulu, the Mayor, HFD, HPD, Fed Fire, Sheriff, personnel at Straub emergency room, the Medical Examiner’s Office, Nuuanu Mortuary, burial location personnel, HFFA Local 1463, and to Jerry Andrade: your love for Jeff and his family was and is seen, we are so appreciative.

Thank you all for being present with us today to respect and share aloha with Jeff, our family, the first responders, and lastly to Jeff’s fellow firefighters of the Honolulu Fire Department. Jeff was so proud and loved so very much being a firefighter, his work serving the public was extremely important to him, work he did daily on shift alongside his brothers and sisters. We know at the end of Jeff’s life, he was working as a team of professionals searching for life, searching for a stranger in need. He will always be loved by us as a son, husband, brother, and friend. I ask that you remember him as one of yours as well, if you would have met him in life you would have seen his smile, his humor, love of nature and his compassion for others.

As you leave today, hug the people you are close with, tell them daily how important they are, be present for them. Jeff knew how much he was loved by us, he sees today how much you loved him – and for that we are eternally grateful.

The Fiala family

The HFD extends a heartfelt thank you to the community for their love and support during this difficult time. Our thoughts remain with the family of FFI Jeffrey Fiala as well as the men and women of the HFD, who continue to grieve the loss of a colleague, friend and brother.

“Fire Fighter I Jeffrey Fiala, you have filled your calling and given your very best. From the Honolulu Fire Department ʻohana, mahalo nui loa for your pride, service, and dedication to your department and your community. A hui hou, rest easy. We will take it from here. Aloha ʻoe, aloha ʻoe, Aloha ʻoe.”