The Hawaii Fire Department conducted commencement exercises for its 44th Firefighter Recruit Class on June 10 at the Nani Mau Gardens, Garden Court Restaurant in Hilo.
The new firefighters are Kevin Yamauchi, Tyson Pili, Justin Lee, Tanya-Jo Moiler, Keanu Bergfeld, Richard Peters, Maxwell Baum, Matthew McMullin, Joshua Hatori, Micah Tanoai, Justin Matsu, David Fisbeck, Kekoa Eskaran, Paul Umemoto, Timothy Frederickson, Neil Biddix, Anson Arakaki, Harvey Lyman III, Dustin Lopez, John Nickens, Francis Bias III, Anthony Kim, Jake Penny, Jonathon Ucker and Damian Sabater-Hart.
The class underwent months of intensive instruction and fieldwork. The class members received fire and rescue training that included fire science curriculum, wild land fire training, rescue operations familiarization, aquatics competency certification, hazardous materials response and driver training.
Their firefighter recruit training culminated at the Emergency Medical Services Training Center where the trainees earned their emergency medical technicians basic certification. The entire EMT program was approximately 10 weeks long, and included four weeks of clinical rotations with HFD and AMR ambulance units around the island, as well as at the emergency room, obstetrics and intensive care units at Hilo Medical Center and Kona Hospital.
Guest speakers at the commencement emphasized the value of training received, dependability, professionalism, safety, pride, family and being there for the community.
Fire Chief Darren Rosario expressed his thanks and appreciation to all the family members for their support.
“What you do is not only a reflection on yourselves, and the Hawaii Fire Department, it reflects your family as well,” Rosario emphasized to the new firefighters. “Work with pride and passion. Remember our mission statement, core values and its meaning and live each day with the appreciation of family, support and dedication. You are here today because of your ohana and their support,” Rosario said.
