Hawaii Island Information Update for September 6th, 2020

Hawai‘i County Fire Department Reports Firefighter Tests Positive for COVID-19

Published by: HIRSC - Hawaii Island (Holualoa) Team

info@hiradioscannercommunity.com

Press Release from the Mayor's Office:

The Hawai‘i Fire Department reports that one of its active-duty employees and a non-HFD employee participating in EMT training with the department have tested positive for COVID-19. 

Both personnel were notified that they were identified as close contacts to a positive case while off-duty. Both personnel were then tested and received their positive test. 

These cases are not related. 

A total of 30 personnel from a Hilo, Puna, and Kona based stations are currently quarantined due to work-related contact with these individuals. In addition, an additional five department employees are in DOH monitored quarantine due to non-work-related exposure.

All personnel are being monitored by the Department of Health and the department’s internal COVID-19 tracing team. All personnel, inclusive of the two positive cases are asymptomatic. Fire Chief Darren Rosario reports that currently there are no breaks in service to the public. Battalion Chiefs are reassigning on-duty personnel or recalling off-duty personnel to cover shortages.  

On another note, due to a damaged transformer at the County Building affecting power, the Fire Administration Office phones are intermittently out of service and emails are being received remotely.