Twenty Big Island future firefighters tested their abilities and worked as a team as they trained Friday during various simulations at Pohakuloa Training Area.
Members of the Hawaii Fire Department’s Recruit Class 53 are working to become the island’s next firefighters as they hit the halfway point of their training and education.
PTA has the only live firefighting-training structure on the island, so HFD partners with the PTA Fire Department regularly to hold conduct simulations on the base, where recruits can get a real feel of what it takes to put out a structure fire.
In one simulation Friday, a team of about 10 firefighters worked to break into a locked structure that was “on fire.” As a team, they doused a simulated fire outside the building, then pulled the hose inside, located the rest of the fire, and put it out.
“This is a simulation that tests their firefighting and teamwork abilities. This helps them utilize their practical skills that they’ve learned in the classroom,” said PTA Fire Acting Capt. Dennis Nardo. “You have to do this a thousand times before it becomes muscle memory. This gets them into the mindset of how they would run through a dire situation.”
The 20 recruits have been training for a few months and will be graduating next July, after which they can apply to various fire stations around the island.
After spending nine years as a volunteer firefighter, Papaikou resident David Paopao decided to take the leap and train to become a full-time firefighter to help his community.
“The class is great. We have people from across the state here to teach and train us, which really helps us develop our practical skills,” Paopao said. “I decided to make this my future career, because I just want to help people on their worst day and be there when they need it.”
Along with the future Big Island firefighters, young recruits from Ho‘omau Fire Academy were present to watch and learn what it takes to train to become a firefighter.
Ho‘omau Fire Academy is a nonprofit organization that gives youth in Hawaii who are interested in becoming firefighters the chance to learn about the career and gain experience.
Ho‘omau President Reid Shimabukuro started the program after a 31-year career as a federal firefighter. Through his career, he has seen the industry change drastically across the nation.
“The fire service is going through an interesting time. This is a big transition period from retirements and people changing their careers. There are vacancies all over the nation,” Shimabukuro said. “I think this is the best thing for youth in Hawaii who want to be firefighters, because they can see what it takes as we provide a road map to the career.”
The youth visiting PTA on Friday was the sixth class to go through the Ho‘omau program and the first to take place off Oahu. The class has 15 youth from the Big Island and one from Oahu.
Following the footsteps of a beloved uncle, Kekoa White, 17, decided to take the first step toward a career in firefighting by joining the program during his fall break from Kealakehe High School.
“I decided to do this, so I can learn everything I need to become a firefighter. I think this is a big opportunity for all of us to be able to train with current recruits and full-time firefighters,” White said. “I love helping people, and that’s a main reason why I want to have a career as a firefighter. It makes me feel good knowing that other people are OK.”
Besides learning the basics of firefighting, the Ho‘omau students also get the opportunity to improve their interview skills and gain other experience that will help them build a resume that will set them apart from others.
“When they asked me to teach this program, I was more than happy to do so,” Nardo said. “When we hire firefighters, we look for experience, dedication and mentorship. It’s a great program that gives students the opportunity to explore fire service and become more ready for their future if that’s what they decide.”
Since establishing the program in August 2020, Shimabukuro has watched young recruits become full-time firefighters and is excited to keep the program going on all the islands.
“We have four cadets that are now paid firefighters, which is so great to see,” Shimabukuro said.
“They graduated from the academy and are currently on the job, which is our main goal — to get as many students through the program and into a department as possible.”
More information about the Ho‘omau Fire Academy can be found at hoomaufireacademy.org.
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
