The Hawaii Fire Department hosted commencement exercises for its 43rd firefighter recruit class in May at the Castle Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, Mokuola Ballroom.
The new firefighters are Max Alcover, Aaron Andrade, Bronson Cabanas, Isaiah Enriques, Tyson Goo, Delsyn Hirota, Darrick Iida, Kiliheaahiahi Inaba, Rylan Kawazoe, Phillip Kim, Noelani McMahon, Kaito Mizutani, Mark Mochida, Kaui Nakanelua, Brent Northrup, Benjamin Powers, Keanu Shimaoka, Max Simon, Shinnosuke Suga, Chadwick Tam, Kevin Tamura and Tyson Yamashita.
The class underwent 12 months of intensive instruction, classroom exercises and field work. The recruits received fire and rescue training that included a nationally recognized fire science curriculum, wild land fire training, rescue operations familiarization, aquatics competency certification and driver training.
The ending of their firefighter recruit training was spent at the Emergency Medical Services Training Center where the firefighters earned their Emergency Medical Technicians Basic certification. The entire EMT program was approximately 9-10 weeks long, and they also spent about four weeks on clinical rotations through Central, Kawailani, Keaau, Pahoa, Kailua and Keauhou fire stations on the ambulance, as well as at the emergency room, obstetrics and intensive care units at Hilo Medical Center and Kona Community Hospital.
Guest speakers during the midmorning ceremonies were Hawaii County Fire Commissioner David De Luz Jr., Mayor Billy Kenoi, Hawaii Firefighter Association President Robert Lee and keynote speaker Dr. Kimo Alameda.
Each speaker emphasized the value of training, dependability, professionalism, safety, pride about family and being there for the community.
Training Capt. Darwin Okinaka and Recruit Training Officer Fire Rescue Specialist James Wilson spoke about the Hawaii Fire Department’s core values as well as stating that the duty of a firefighter is a great honor and privilege that should be earned, not given out as a liberty.
The 43rd firefighter class message was delivered by class president Mark Mochida.
“Training was not easy,” said Mochida, who thanked the chiefs, families, fellow firefighters and trainers. “Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. Shake it off, take a step and learn from it.”
Having successfully met the all criteria of their recruit training, the 43rd firefighter class was presented to Fire Chief Darren Rosario and Deputy Fire Chief Renwick Victorino, who issued them their badges. As is customary in fire service, the firefighters then chose a family member or friend to pin their badge on their uniform.
