LIHU‘E — Kaua‘i County Council Vice Chair JoAnn Yukimura was amazed at how far fire prevention and fire technology has come. “On behalf of Council Chair (Jay) Furfaro and the rest of the County Council, we want you to know
LIHU‘E — Kaua‘i County Council Vice Chair JoAnn Yukimura was amazed at how far fire prevention and fire technology has come.
“On behalf of Council Chair (Jay) Furfaro and the rest of the County Council, we want you to know that we appreciate the work which goes into expanding your safety and prevention programs,” Yukimura said during Tuesday’s dedication ceremonies for the Kaua‘i Fire Department’s Fire Safety and Educational Trailer. “Fire safety programs created one of the most successful messaging campaigns in teaching children to ‘Stop, Drop and Roll,’ and those efforts have continued to save lives. It’s very important work that you do and we thank you.”
Kaua‘i Fire Chief Robert Westerman said the new trailer will become a critical component of the Fire Prevention Bureau’s community outreach and fire safety and prevention program, falling under the command of Capt. Darryl Date and Jeremy Makepa.
“This trailer will allow people to experience a mock fire in a safe and controlled environment,” Date said in a county release. “It will teach them exactly what to do during a house fire — from calling 911 and properly using a fire extinguisher to knowing when and how to escape.”
Curtis Langstad, in working with Yukimura and council member Nadine Nakamura and Rep. Dee Morikawa, explained that during a fire, some people squeeze the handle of a fire extinguisher so tightly in the heat of the moment that the safety pin cannot be released.
“The important thing is to be in control of what is taking place around you,” Langstad said. “Working slowly sometimes get the job done quicker.”
The trailer is modeled after a home, complete with a kitchen and child’s bedroom, as well as a separate compartment where people are able to watch the operation of overhead sprinkler systems.
Various parts of the “home” can ignite with digital flames and smoke, simulating an intense fire emergency which challenges trainees on how to properly respond.
“The important thing is we can get the message out to the younger children, safely,” Makepa said. “Children are never too young to know about fire and fire safety.”
J Robertson of Ho‘ike Community Television said the trailer was featured during the taping of the mayor’s show, and in addition to the fire conditions, special sound and lighting effects can be added to replicate various other scenarios such as possible storm damage leading to fire.
The 30-foot mobile trailer was obtained through a Federal Emergency Management Agency program grant which contributed 80 percent of the $130,000 cost through BullEx, a company which specializes in fire safety products and trainings.
Additionally, Westerman said Allstate Insurance, represented by Brad Maruyama; State Farm Insurance, represented by Darrellynn Lemke; and Pioneer Hi-Bred, represented by Taryn Dizon and Isaac Castillo, provided contributions which offset the county’s share of the cost.
Westerman acknowledged the efforts of the KFD personnel as well as efforts of Sen. Ron Kouchi who worked to obtain the grant which helped acquire the education and training trailer.
“Our mission is to save lives and property, not just through fighting fires, but by preventing them through education and outreach,” Westerman said. “This trailer will help us immensely in achieving that goal. With this safety trailer, we can take our prevention message one step further. Now, instead of just telling people how to mitigate the danger during a house fire, they are doing it.”
Jade Waialeale Battad of Ke Akua Mana Church officiated over the dedication ceremonies, which were held beneath the boughs of the monkeypod tree fronting the historic County Building.
The Fire Prevention Bureau plans to take the fire safety trailer to community events throughout the island.
To request the trailer’s presence at schools, community-based organizations, or events, call 241-4985.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
