Hawaii County Fire Department
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Introduction

The Hawaii County Fire Department is responsible for protecting life and property from fire and other emergencies for a resident population of about 159,000. HCFD provides the following services for all Big Island residents and visitors: (1) fire suppression, (2) medical emergencies, (3) land and sea rescues, (4) vehicle or other extractions, and (5) hazardous materials mitigation.

Hawaii Fire and EMS Structure

The Hawaii County Fire Department has 21 full-time fire/medic stations, and about twenty volunteer fire stations. There are over 60 apparatus and support vehicles, including 21 engines, 2 ladder companies, 2 rescue companies, 5 tankers, 2 fuel trucks, 2 brush trucks, and a specialty truck for Waipio Valley incidents. The volunteer companies have additional apparatus for a variety of emergencies that can occur.

Battalion Divisions

Hawaii County is divided into two operational areas: East and West.

Radio Communications

Initial dispatches for fire and/or medic units are done on 154.385 MHz using a two tone paging system. Fire stations and medic units switch to a pre-determined tactical frequency (outlined below) when they leave the station. All ambulance-to-hospital communications use MEDICOM on 453.400. Channels 4 and 5 are tactical simplex frequencies that are used in major incidents.

FCC Call Signs

The primary call sign used during dispatches is KVC 491.

Frequencies

Fire Stations

Notes:
AFC: Assistant Fire Chief
Chopper 1: Rescue Chopper quartered at Waiakea Fire Station
Chopper 2: Medevac Chopper quartered at South Kohala Fire Station
Station 2: Xray 2 and Utility 2 used for Rescue and Special services
Station 4: Air Compressor on trailer
Station 7: Xray 7 and Utility 7 used for Rescue and Special services
Station 8: Xray 8 used for Waipio Valley incidents
HOVE: Hawaiian Ocean View Estates
VFD: Volunteer Fire Department