HFD Plans Watercraft Rescue Program

The Hawai’i County Fire Department Ocean Safety Division is currently training for a new Rescue Watercraft program.

According to Battalion Chief of Special Operations Gerald Kosaki, HFD was the only jurisdiction in the state that has not had a Rescue Watercraft program in use.

HFD personnel are in the fourth of five weeks of training and are being led by Melvin Puu, Terry Ahue, and Brian Keaulana, the pioneers in using Personal Watercraft’s in rescue efforts.

Kosaki said the department plans to launch the use of the new resource program during the summer months.

“We are still finalizing our operational plan to enhance and integrate this into our current response capabilities within our department,” Kosaki said in a release.