The mission of the Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) today is the same as it was in 1851, to save lives and to protect property. However, today the Department protects the City and County of Honolulu with a force of over 1,100 fire fighters. The Department is presently the 16th largest fire department in the United States.
The island is divided into five battalions containing 44 fire stations. The total number of companies in a platoon is 42 engine companies, 13 ladder or quint, 2 rescue companies, 2 hazardous material companies, 2 tower companies, 1 fireboat company, 6 tankers, and 2 helicopters. Haz Mat 1 and 2, the hazardous material companies, are dispatched to all incidents involving petroleum, radioactive substances, and toxic chemicals. Also supporting the HFD's mission are several personal water crafts and 3 rescue boats (2 of which are assigned to the search and rescue companies and 1 to the Waialua Fire Station).
HFD fire fighters are under the command of Fire Chief Kenneth G. Silva. Three bureaus support the fire suppression forces (Fire Operations):
1. Administrative Services Bureau (including Fire Fiscal)
2. Support Services
3. Planning and Development
These bureaus coordinate the administrative, logistical, maintenance, code enforcement, and communication needs of the Department. The cost of providing fire protection in fiscal year 2005-2006 was $72 million. Although the cost sounds high, the per capita cost (the total budget divided by the protected population) is one of the lowest in the nation. The HFD, however, continues to provide the finest fire protection and rescue services to the public.
