During busy fire season, Kauai first responders showcase new tools and protocols
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - In the last month, four wildfires have put Kauai County emergency responders to the test — and offered firefighters an opportunity to use new tools and procedures.
Kauai Fire Department Chief Mike Gibson said there is a limit to what first responders can do.
“We can hold a fire in check if it doesn’t have great wind behind it. But one that had great wind behind it, the most we can do is alert people in evacuate,” Gibson told HNN Investigates.
That’s exactly what happened July 15 when people in Kaumakani were told to leave after flames broke out in Hanapepe scorching one structure and upwards of 1,100 acres.
Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami said better planning and protocols can make a difference.
“If all other means fail, that last line of defense oftentimes are county roads and state highways. And if we’re not maintaining the shoulders, it increases the chance of these fires jumping over that road,” he said.
It’s why the county recently spent nearly $2.7 million on wildfire mitigation equipment, and is working with large property owners to reduce fuel and cut fire breaks.
The spending is part of a host of changes on Kauai and statewide aimed at better grappling with wildfires. A year after the Lahaina wildfire disaster, Hawaii is still a fire-prone state — but is much better prepared.
On Kauai, the county is also purchasing more firefighting equipment, including two, 2,000-gallon water tenders. Right now, there’s just one for the entire island. Going forward, KFD says it will also buy better brush trucks doubling the amount of water crews can carry.
HNN Investigates
And in another change: The department now assigns an extra firefighter to each of its eight stations the moment there’s a red flag warning, fire or hurricane advisory.
Kauai’s Emergency Management Agency also changed its protocols on how it handles wildfire risk, activating the emergency operations center automatically whenever a red flag warning is issued.
The county is using N5 sensors as well that can detect fire and notify dispatch.
In addition to being placed in fixed locations, including Koloa, Poipu, Anahola and at the Lihue Airport, KFD also used the sensors during at least two of July’s brush fires.
“We can be notified at the onset of rekindling,” said Gibson.
When asked if the sensors were useful, the fire chief responded, “They definitely gave us piece of mind”
With 60% of Hawaii’s communities having only one way in and one way out, officials are also using new technology to identify potential evacuation routes.
“We are working with our IT folks in creating a layer Geographic Information System which attempts to identify private roads or former cane roads and other things that may be possible to use,” said Kauai Emergency Management Administrator Elton Ushiro.
In addition to that, fire officials say clearing your property of fire hazards is key in keeping your community safe. The county says it’s also critical that every person has a plan that outlines what to do in an emergency.
“Your plan should at least include your preferred route for evacuation, having a kit that you would take with you. Maybe a meeting or rally point for your family,” said Ushiro. “Many people they’ll only rely on one technology like sirens. That’s not enough. You need several means.”
Copyright 2024 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
