The Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) announced the promotions of 25 uniformed and civilian employees, of which four are Battalion Chiefs (BC), who were celebrated during a ceremony at the Mission Memorial Auditorium.

Special guests included Managing Director Michael D. Formby, members of the Honolulu Fire Commission, and families and friends of the 23 uniformed and 2 civilian employees.

“Promotions certainly reflect career milestones, but they can also be the mechanism to advance the collective potential of our team,” said Fire Chief Sheldon K. Hao. “On behalf of the HFD, I want to congratulate and thank these employees for being dedicated public servants. Each of them is hard working and demonstrated professional excellence.”

The civilian employees recognized today work in the HFD’s Radio Shop to ensure the Department’s vital communication needs are met 24 hours, 7 days a week. Recently promoted to Departmental Radio Communications Coordinator, George Davis is responsible for the planning, designing, installation, modifying, and maintaining of radio communications and related radio activated systems for the HFD, and other City and County of Honolulu (City) agencies, including the Honolulu Ocean Safety Department, the Department of Emergency Management, and the Department of Facility Maintenance.

Arthur Fujioka, who was promoted to Radio Technician II, supervises and schedules Radio Shop technicians while working on the adjustment, testing, installation, modification, maintenance, and repair of radio equipment within the HFD and the other City agencies.

The seven newly promoted Fire Fighter (FF) IIs will play an integral role in the fire service. They are now specialized as Hazardous Materials (HM) Technicians, rescue specialists, fire dispatch operators, tiller operators, or BC aides.

The eight newly promoted FF IIIs are now responsible for the safe driving, operation, and maintenance of a fire apparatus. They will oversee the safety of a crew and the public as they drive to alarms, manage the pumps that supply water, or operate an aerial ladder or rescue equipment. They hold a key leadership role and may assume the Company Commander role when he/she is not available.

The four newly promoted Fire Captains are now frontline supervisors who manage a fire company that responds to emergencies or assigned to a bureau to manage training and fire prevention programs or fire dispatch activities. They will establish and maintain discipline and efficiency while directing the activities of FFs. They must also be proficient in the use of fire fighting equipment, fire fighting techniques, and building construction and skilled in emergency medical services, HM operations, fire prevention, fire education, writing, public speaking, and public relations.

The four newly promoted BCs are midlevel managers who are highly skilled and capable of overseeing the daily operations of a battalion or bureau where their command presence and communication and organization skills will be instrumental in ensuring the HFD operates efficiently and effectively.

The HFD’s mission is to provide for the safety of our communities through prevention, preparedness, and effective emergency response. Currently, the HFD has 1,120 employees who serve the City at 44 fire stations and 6 support locations.