Council approves raises for firefighters

NANCY COOK LAUER/West Hawaii Today Hawaii Fire Fighters Association President Bobby Lee and Charles Spain, HFFA Hawaii division chairman, testify Tuesday to the County Council in Hilo chambers as firefighters watch the proceedings.

NANCY COOK LAUER/West Hawaii Today Council members congratulate firefighters Tuesday at Hilo council chambers after voting to approve their compensation package.

With more than 30 black-shirted firefighters crowding into council chambers and watching them closely, three County Council members switched their votes Tuesday to give unanimous support to their raises.