KAPA‘A — County officials broke ground on the new Kealia fire station Monday morning at its site overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The project is a collaborative effort between numerous government agencies at the federal, state and county levels, Kaua‘i County
KAPA‘A — County officials broke ground on the new Kealia fire station Monday morning at its site overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
The project is a collaborative effort between numerous government agencies at the federal, state and county levels, Kaua‘i County Council Vice Chair Jay Furfaro said at the ceremony.
Deputy Fire Chief John Blaylock said the new station will not mean the closure of the existing Kapa‘a fire station. Instead, the new facility will serve to supplement the current fire station in the growing Kawaihau district.
Kaua‘i Fire Chief Robert Westerman said with the increase in population in the Kapa‘a area, the current station responds to about 1,500 calls monthly. With the new station in place, the end result will be a quicker response to areas north and south.
The recent graduation of the 20th Recruit Class will be part of the new station’s crew.
Officials said it is the first new fire station to be built on Kaua‘i in almost 70 years; others have been retrofitted from existing buildings.
Unlimited Construction will be heading up the construction. Furfaro said it has a contract deadline of about 500 days.
“I expect that we’ll be back here celebrating the dedication of the new station after 400 days,” Furfaro said.
Land for the new fire station was provided by the state through an executive order by the governor. Funding will come from the county and federal stimulus monies, Furfaro said. Additionally, funds acquired through grants from the Housing Agency and the Office of Economic Development will provide for the first rescue truck and environmentally friendly components of the new building.
“Yes, chief, the building will be green,” Furfaro said. “Normally, fire houses are red, but this one will be green.”
The planned environmentally friendly features will help keep the maintenance costs of the building lower than if conventional materials were used. A firefighter helping with parking at the event noted that there will be liberal use of aluminum and other metals more resistant to the corrosive winds blowing in from the ocean.
Westerman added that in addition to the new station, the firefighters will be receiving safer new fire shirts emblazoned with the new department logo that was unveiled on the shirts of attending Fire Commission members.
Once this station is in place, Westerman said plans are to work on updating the Lihu‘e fire station.
To watch a video of the groundbreaking ceremony, visit www.thegardenisland.com.
