Hawaiʻi County Fire Department Seeks Public Input

Residents invited to take survey and attend community meetings to help shape strategic plan

Apr. 14, 2026 at 1:25am

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An extremely abstracted, out-of-focus photograph of a firefighter's helmet and equipment resting on a wooden bench, with soft pools of warm yellow and orange light washing over the image, conceptually representing the fire department's effort to gather public feedback.The Hawaiʻi County Fire Department seeks community input to help shape its strategic priorities and emergency response plans.Waimea Today

The Hawaiʻi County Fire Department (HFD) is asking the public to participate in a survey and a series of community meetings to provide input on the department's services and priorities as it develops a strategic plan.

Why it matters

Gathering public feedback is an important step for the fire department to ensure its strategic plan aligns with the needs and priorities of the local community. This collaborative approach can help improve emergency response and fire prevention efforts across Hawaiʻi County.

The details

The survey covers topics such as service and planning priorities, public communication methods, and recommended improvements. Community meetings are scheduled in several locations across the county, including Waikoloa, Waimea, Pāhala, Hilo, and Kona, to allow residents to share their perspectives directly with fire department officials.

  • The survey is available online now through the end of April.
  • Community meetings will be held from April 18 to April 24.

The players

Hawaiʻi County Fire Department

The local fire department serving Hawaiʻi County, which is seeking public input to help shape its strategic plan.

AP Triton LLC

A public safety consulting firm assisting the Hawaiʻi County Fire Department with the community survey.

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What’s next

After the survey and community meetings, the Hawaiʻi County Fire Department will use the public feedback to finalize its strategic plan.

The takeaway

By actively engaging the community, the Hawaiʻi County Fire Department is demonstrating a commitment to transparency and ensuring its strategic priorities align with the needs and concerns of local residents.