The Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) provides fire protection and first responder emergency medical services to the City & County of Honolulu, Hawaii, United States, under the jurisdiction of the Mayor of Honolulu. Founded on December 27, 1850, by Kamehameha III and Alexander Cartwright, the Honolulu Fire Department serves and protects the entire island of O'ahu, covering over of territory, home to more than 880,000 residents and over 4 million annual visitors.
The HFD is one of just a handful of fire departments in the nation that is Nationally accredited.Yamamoto, Glenn, Dan Boylan, Ken Silva, and Atilio Leonardi. [HFD Fire Chief]. 2005. The Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) confers Accredited Agency status for a period of five years.
History In the early 1800s, with an influx of missionaries, whalers, and businessmen to Hawai'i, Honolulu grew rapidly with western-style wooden buildings, which were highly combustible. Interior lighting in that period consisted of all flame-emitting equipment (candles, lamps, and lanterns); therefore fires became common in homes and businesses.Honolulu (Hawaii). Honolulu Fire Department: Pride, Service, Dedication : 150 Years of Service. [Honolulu]: [Honolulu Fire Dept.], 2001. On October 24, 1850, a public assembly raised the concern of the people to have adequate fire protection; and an outcome of this meeting was the formation of Honolulu's first Volunteer Fire Brigade, on November 6, 1850.Smith, H. A. History of the Honolulu Fire Dept. Honolulu: [Fire Dept.], 1950. The HFD holds the distinction of being the first fire department in all of the Hawaiian Islands.
Establishment of the HFD On December 27, 1850, an ordinance issued by Kamehameha III established the Honolulu Fire Department. On February 3, 1851, Oahu Governor Kekuanaoa appointed Alexander Joy Cartwright Jr. to be Chief Engineer of the Fire Department of the City of Honolulu, making him the first Fire Engineer of the newly formed department.Honolulu Fire Museum and Education Center. Various Exhibitions: [Fire Dept.], 2016. The ordinance was enacted into law by the Hawaiian Legislature of 1851 (S.S. 1851, pp. 5-ll), becoming effective on May 8, 1851, after it was signed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, William L. Lee, and King Kamehameha.
The HFD is also the only fire department in the United States that was established by the order of the King of a Monarchy; and the department was continued by a Provisional Government, then a Republic, then a Territory, a County and lastly by a City and County Government. Honolulu, which was the Capital of the Territory of Hawaii, is believed to be the only fire department in the world that has had kings serve as active members with King Kamehameha III, who reigned during the 1850s and King David Kalakaua, during the 1880s working alongside volunteers.
Hawaiian Engine Company No. 4 King Kalākaua was a member of Engine Company No. 4, which was originally an all-Hawaiian Company established in 1861. Prince Albert Kamehameha, a toddler at the time, admired Company 4 and was made an honorary member. After his death at the age of five, the entire HFD joined his funeral procession. When King Kalākaua died in 1891, firefighters draped black fabric on their stations to show their respect for the King.
Chinatown Fire of 1886 On April 18, 1886, a fire started in a building at Hotel and Smith streets and destroyed over 60 acres of buildings and involved a loss surpassing $1,453,000. Buildings had been constructed close together, allowing the fire to quickly spread in all directions. In response, on April 20, 1886, the Board of Fire Underwriters was formed. On May 29, 1886, King Kalākaua signed Honolulu's first building laws (building codes).
Chinatown Fire of 1900 In an effort to control the bubonic plague, blocks of buildings were burnt, one at a time. On April 20, 1900, the block next to Kaumakapili Church was set on fire. As the flame grew, the wind unexpectedly changed; and the fire spread to the steeple of the church and then began to spread quickly across the city. Firefighters worked hard to control the fire that swept Chinatown, burning 38 acres. The property losses totaled over $3,000,000.
Fire Museum The Honolulu Fire Museum and Education Center is located in the former historic Kakaʻako Fire Station, built in 1928, and neighbors the HFD headquarters’ building, which was completed in 2006. The Engine Company occupied Kakaʻako Station on October 1, 1929, and the Ladder Truck Company moved on March 1, 1930. The Shop opened in 1931. Kaka’ako Fire Station was one of several HFD stations that were nominated to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
The museum shares the history of the HFD as well as the history of fire-fighting apparatus and gear. When the Japanese started bombing Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the HFD quickly responded to the crisis. The first of three responding HFD companies arrived to find Hickam Field's fire station hit by bombs. Honolulu firefighters worked tirelessly to extinguish flames and save as many U.S. planes as possible, but the second wave of Japanese Zero aircraft approached. Hoseman Harry Tuck Lee Pang was shot and killed; Captains Thomas Macy and John Carreira died in a bomb blast. Six other firefighters were injured. The HFD lists among its members nine men who were awarded the Order of the Purple Heart, including three dead members who were awarded the medal in 1984. This made the HFD the only fire department on American soil whose members were attacked by a foreign nation and were awarded Purple Hearts relating to their duties. This honor is now only awarded to members of the Armed Forces wounded in battle.
The Honolulu Fire Museum and Education Center is open to the public one Saturday a month for free, guided tours.
Bureaus Under the Fire Commission, Fire Chief, and Deputy Chief, there are three bureaus that support the fire suppression forces (Fire Operations): Administrative Services Bureau Planning and Development Support Services
Fire Operations Bureau Fire Operations accounts for the majority of the activity in the HFD. They are responsible for all emergency response for the island of Oahu and respond to fires, emergency medical calls, hazardous materials incidents, motor vehicle accidents, natural disasters, and also perform technical rescues.
Stations & Apparatus Below is a complete listing of all Honolulu Fire Department fire station and apparatus locations.
There are 25 single engine companies and some trucks might be KME or Pierce Quantum or Arrow XT
fire Station Number Neighborhood Engine Company Ladder Company, Quint Company, or Tower Company Battalion Chief vehicle Specialized Unit or CompanyUTVs 1 Central Engine 1 Battalion Chief 1 2Pawaa Engine 2 Ladder 2 RRV-2, Rescue 1, SAR Boat 1 / Force 22 3Makiki Engine 3 4Kuakini Engine 4 Ladder 4 RRV-4 5Kaimuki Engine 5 Ladder 5 RRV-5 6Kalihi Engine 6 7Waikiki Engine 7 Ladder 7 Battalion Chief 2 RRV 78Mokulele Engine 8 9 KakaakoEngine 9 Tower 9 RRV 9 10Aiea Engine 10 11Sunset Beach Engine 11 12Waipahu Engine 12 Quint 12 Tanker 12, RRV-12 13Kahuku Engine 13 14Waialua Engine 14 Brush 14 15Hauʻula Engine 15 Tanker 15 16Wahiawa Engine 16 Tanker 16 17Kaneohe Engine 17 Ladder 17 Battalion Chief 3 RRV-17 18Kailua Engine 18 Ladder 18 RRV-18 19Aikahi Engine 19 20Pearl City Engine 20 21Kaʻaʻawa Engine 21 22Manoa Engine 22 23Wailupe Engine 23 24ʻEwa Beach Engine 24 Quint 24 RRV-24 25Nu‘uanu Engine 25 26Waianae Engine 26 Quint 26 Tanker 26, RRV-26 27Waimānalo Engine 27 28Nānākuli Engine 28 Tanker 28 29McCully-Moiliili Engine 29 Ladder 29 RRV-29 30Moanalua Engine 30 Ladder 30 RRV-30 31Kalihi Kai Engine 31 Quint 31 RRV-31, Rescue 2, SAR Boat 232 Kalihi Uka Engine 32 Haz-Mat. 1 33Palolo Engine 33 34Hawaii Kai Engine 34 Quint 34 RRV-34 35Makakilo Engine 35 36Mililani Engine 36 37Kahaluu Engine 37 38 Waiau Engine 38 Quint 38 RRV-38 39Olomana Engine 39 40Kapolei Engine 40 Tower 40 Battalion Chief 4RRV-40, Tanker-440, Mobile Command Center 1 UTV 4 41Mililani Mauka Engine 41 Battalion Chief 5UTV 5 42Waikele Engine 42 Brush 42 43East Kapolei Engine 43 HazMat 2, Communications Vehicle (CV) 1, Drone 1, RRV-4344Kalaeloa Airport Air-1, Air-2, Air-3, Air 4 Tender 30
Administrative Services Bureau Mechanic Shop: provides maintenance to fire apparatus, as well as police vehicles. Safety & Health: administers health related programs.
Planning and Development Fire Communication Center: this is the vital link between the public and fire suppression forces. Radio Shop: provides maintenance to radios and communication systems.
Support Services Support Services manages and coordinates the Training and Research Bureau and the Fire Prevention Bureau, which also includes the Community Relations/Education section.
Training and Research Bureau HFD accomplishes its mission largely by maintaining a well-equipped and highly trained, professional workforce of firefighters and rescue personnel.Honolulu (Hawaii). Honolulu Fire Department 2012 : the heart of HFD is our people/Honolulu Fire Department. [Honolulu]: [Honolulu Fire Dept.], 2012. The Training and Research Bureau (TRB) conducts training for all phases of firefighting, emergency medical incidents, hazardous materials incidents, technical rescues, and professional development. TRB is located at the Charles H. Thurston Training Center in Honolulu.
Fire Prevention Bureau The Fire Prevention Bureau (FPB) administers the fire prevention program for the City and County of Honolulu, which includes setting policies and procedures in the enforcement of fire codes and conducting fire investigations to determine the origin and cause of fires. The FPB conducts investigations as mandated by Chapter 132–4, Hawaii Revised Statutes, and has several sections: Administration: Issues permits and licenses. Code Enforcement: enforces fire codes and regulations for occupancies within the City and County. Plans Examining: reviews and approves building plans to ensure compliance with building codes and conduct investigations for permits. Support: responsible for testing of building fire protection systems. Fire Investigation: determines the origin, cause and circumstances of structure fires. Fire Education: develops and implements programs to help minimize injuries and fire losses and to reduce the dangers to first responders.
Community Relations Community Relations/Education (CRO) is the liaison between the community and the HFD, and it coordinates ceremonies, funerals, and other events. CRO develops, coordinates, and administers fire safety and education programs promoting fire prevention and other public safety education programs. CRO manages the museum and offers fire safety classes. Class topics range from general fire safety prevention and preparedness tips, use of a fire extinguisher, understanding the common causes of fire, how to prevent fires, and what to do in case of a fire. CRO also participates in numerous fire safety education community events .
A publication the HFD produces annually is the Fire Fighter's Safety Guide (FFSG). The FFSG is now going on about 30 years since its first publication and about 100,000 copies are now distributed island wide to all schools. Students in grades pre-K through 6th grade receive them for free.
Legal Resources The City Charter of the City and County of Honolulu designates the HFD as the fire protection agency for the city. The HFD's responsibilities are to provide firefighting, rescue, emergency medical, and hazardous materials response for the entire island of Oahu.