A state effort to increase the number of women pursuing firefighting careers begins this weekend on the Big Island.
A state effort to increase the number of women pursuing firefighting careers begins this weekend on the Big Island.
The recruitment initiative is specific to the Department of Transportation’s Airports Division. There are just three female firefighters statewide employed by the division, DOT spokesman Timothy Sakahara said in an email.
Sakahara said the recruitment initiatives are a way for the state to raise awareness of the opportunities available in the department.
“We know women make strong candidates, and we encourage them to apply for firefighting careers,” he said.
Free workshops on each of the Neighbor Islands will familiarize potential applicants with the application process.
Sessions in Hilo and Kona take place today.
According to National Fire Protection Association data from 2012, the most recent year available, 3.4 percent of all firefighters nationwide were women.
Sakahara said of the three women who currently work in the Airports Division, one is a fire lieutenant and two are firefighters. All work on Oahu, however, prompting the focus on recruitment from Neighbor Islands, where most aircraft rescue and firefighting vacancies occur.
“Our firefighters provide a variety of duties,” Sakahara said, adding that includes fire prevention, rescue, hazardous materials, controlling and extinguishing aerospace fires, and performing ventilation, salvage and overhaul operations. “The firefighters are at the ready and on standby to perform hazardous operations as well as airfield surveillance operations.”
Email Ivy Ashe at iashe@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
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Hilo workshop
9-11 a.m. today
Hawaii Community College
200 W. Kawili St.
Building 388, Room 103
Kona workshop
1:30-3:30 p.m. today
Kona International Airport
Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Station