Aloha Kakou!

E komo mai, welcome, to the blogspot for a lowly, but experienced rookie on the Big Island of Hawaii! This is my return to the fire service after a multiple year hiatus. After losing the love of the job in Colorado, I have come here to Hawaii and joined a volunteer department. Let's just say that the issue was the drive to go career forcing out those of us that just want to run free. I volunteer, and I didn't have any real desire to go pro. I had a good job, a good family life and a good background in fire/rescue. When I got to Colorado, it was a real eye opener. I didn't really know how competitive the paid positions are. The guys that wanted to get a job really made it hell on those of us that just wanted to volunteer, because we were required to be on the same civil service lists. That is not to say I would not have taken a paid position, I just wouldn't say or do anything to get a rung up on the other guy.

Now here I am in Hawaii! God, do I love it here! The fire department is going to be a challenge though, as they have been hamstrung by tight county pursestrings and training limitations that leave us in the position of being almost unable to do our jobs. No SCBA, no interior attack operations. We are currently using a Class 4 forestry truck, so interior ops are out. The county funds us based on our number of active personnel rather than our population density or call volume. I think it should be a goal of the department to be the example by which all other county departments are measured, but in a good way. Train best, do your best and the best will be the result.

There are guys in the department who have been in three years and still don't have bunker gear. I didn't want to wait, so I hopped on ebay and bought a set. You know, there is some good stuff out there if you know what to look for! Thes limitations seem to be mostly budgetary at the county level, and there is nothing to be done, except to raise our own money, grants etc. I see the need to incorporate as a 501c3 nonprofit as a way to pursue grant money.

That's all for now. Stick around and you might get to see the rebirth of a great department!