‘Vital step’: Central Fire Station to begin operating from interim location in early May

Hawaiʻi County on Wednesday took a “vital step” toward repairing and making safe its oldest fire station facility.

County and Hawaiʻi Fire Department officials gathered to bless an interim fire station that will house Fire Department personnel and equipment from the Central Fire Station in downtown Hilo while repairs and renovations are made to the nearly 90-year-old building.

Operations will begin in early May at the interim facility located at 1382 Kīlauea Ave.

“This interim fire station represents our commitment to both public safety and the well-being of our firefighters,” said Hawaiʻi County Mayor Kimo Alameda in a release issued by the county following Wednesday’s blessing ceremony. “Through this transition, we’re ensuring that our first responders have the resources they need to do their jobs effectively while we plan for a long-term solution that serves the community for generations to come.”

The Central Fire Station — built in 1939 and located at 466 Kinoʻole St. — is in need of significant repair.

Work will focus on preserving the integrity of the building’s exterior.

The project — which will involve replacing the roof, repairing the plaster coating on the exterior walls, structural repairs to the hose tower and removing most of the plaster from the ceiling — is anticipated to begin in August and take about 1 year to complete.

Plans for the Central Fire Station’s future, including the need for additional safety improvements and renovations, will continue to be assessed during the transition.

Hawaiʻi County Fire Chief Kazuo Todd said in the county’s release that the interim station will allow the members of his department stationed at Central Fire Station to continue to serve their community without interruption while critical safety concerns at the aging downtown facility are addressed.

“Mahalo to everyone who helped make this transition possible — it’s a vital step toward ensuring the safety of our personnel and the continuity of emergency services,” Todd said.

Improvements such as adding showers, a dorm area and other upgrades also were made to the temporary station prior to the move.

The county is leasing the interim fire station facility for 5 years, with options to extend the lease twice by 5-year terms.

No emergency services will be available at the Central Fire Station downtown following the relocation of services.