Fire stations in Ocean View and Laupahoehoe will soon have captains to supervise operations, thanks to a $3.5 million federal grant adding nine new positions to the department.
The County Council agreed Wednesday to accept the grant and create new positions, while acknowledging that doing so means the county will be required to carry those positions in its own budget once three years are up. “After three years passes … the county will now absorb the costs of these things,” said Hilo Councilman Aaron Chung, who voted in favor of the measures. “It’s a good thing as long as everyone is aware. … A lot of times we create these positions and then we’re on the hook to continue it.”
The nine positions — six captains and three firefighters — will provide two captains and one firefighter for each of three eight-hour shifts in order to cover a 24-hour day.