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Home My WebLink AboutFY 2026 (Kauai Fire Department) KAUA‘I FIRE DEPARTMENT FY 2026 BUDGET AND OPERATIONS SYNOPSIS Mike Gibson Chief 1 Department: FIRE Fund: GENERAL FUND 1. FY 2025 to FY 2026 BUDGET COMPARISON I- , I- I- FY 2025 FY 2026 $ + / - % + / - Salary and Wages 22,052,084 22,121,932 69,848 0.3% Benefits 15,970,671 18,360,308 2,389,637 15.0% Utilities 231,513 239,013 7,500 3.2% Vehicle/Equip, Lease 3,968,549 4,854,225 885,676 22.3% Operations 3,178,314 3,692,193 513,879 16.2% 45,401,131 49,267,671 3,866,540 8.5% 49% 35% 0%9% 7% FY 2025 Operating Budget Salary and Wages Benefits Utilities Vehicle/Equip, Lease Operations 45% 37% 0%10% 8% FY 2026 Operating Budget Salary and Wages Benefits Utilities Vehicle/Equip, Lease Operations 0 5,000,000 10,000,000 15,000,000 20,000,000 25,000,000 Salary and Wages Benefits Utilities Vehicle/Equip, Lease Operations FY 2025 and FY 2026 Comparison FY 2025 FY 2026 2 2. MAJOR CHANGES AND/OR VARIANCES IN OPERATIONS BUDGET The overall budget for the Fire Department increased by 8.5%. Personnel costs account for 82% of the overall budget with a year-over-year increase of $69,848 in salary and $2,389,637 or 15% increase in benefit costs for FY2026. To ensure we are adequately positioned to meet future obligations, we have made a strategic decision to increase the allocation of our Other Post- Employment Benefits account across the board. This will provide for flexibility in addressing any potential increases. Operational costs account for the remaining 18% with a year-over-year increase of $3,866,540. Operational budget requests were scrutinized and prioritized before submission. Lower priority needs have been deferred or eliminated from this proposal. Although our community continues to grow and thrive from a rise in population and tourism, we have experienced a slight decrease in requests for services from Fire and Ocean Safety. Incident Type FY 2024 (7/1/23-3/4/24) FY 2025 (7/1/24 - 3/4/25) Trend Fire 365 282 -22.74% Rupture / Explosion 4 0 0.00% Medical / Rescue 3,664 3,201 -12.67% Hazardous Condition 53 39 -26.42% Service Call 364 365 0.01% Good Intent 749 827 10.41% False Call 145 120 -17.24% Severe Weather 2 0 0.00% Other 38 1 -97.37% TOTAL 5384 4835 -10.20% OCEAN SAFETY BEACH ACTIVITY Activity Type FY 2024 (7/1/23-3/4/24) FY 2025 (7/1/24 - 3/4/25) Trend Rescue 277 277 0.00% Preventative Action 156,127 127,196 -18.53% First Aid / Minor 7,426 4,110 -44.65% Public Contact 213,343 140,423 -34.18% JetSki Rescue 133 122 -8.27% Beach Attendance 1,490,269 1,494,723 0.30% Emergency Service Delivery / First Responder Safety Key budget items to enhance service delivery and safety of our First Responders: Twin Engine Helicopter – Enhances rescuer safety, increase operational capacity, and improve 3 community fire and rescue services. Our current single-engine MD 530F, while valuable, has severe limitations—restricted fuel capacity, low weight limits, and inability to transport patients securely. With only 70 minutes of flight time and a 600-pound cargo limit, rescues require multiple trips, increasing response time, risk to personnel, and delays in life-saving care. A twin-engine aircraft would carry up to seven personnel or patients, operate for over four hours, and provide a secure cabin for EMS transport, ensuring safer, more efficient rescues. Additionally, the increased capacity to carry 350 gallons of water for fire suppression—compared to our current 80 gallons—would significantly enhance wildfire and structural firefighting efforts, improving protection for our island’s communities and natural resources. A twin-engine helicopter is no longer a luxury—it is an essential investment in public safety, firefighter protection, and operational effectiveness. 2 Replacement Fire Engines – Scheduled replacement for Kapa‘a, and Koloa. We are anticipating an up to four-year time frame from date of order to vehicle being placed in service. Our Reserve Fire Engine fleet will likely be unable to endure any further deferment of these purchases. Fire Station Alerting - A modern fire station alerting system is a critical investment that directly reduces response times, improves call processing efficiency, and accelerates firefighter turnout, ultimately saving lives. By integrating automated dispatch notifications, zoned alerts, and visual and audible cues, this system ensures that emergency responders receive precise and immediate information, eliminating delays caused by manual dispatching. Faster alerting enables firefighters to mobilize more efficiently, reducing reaction time in life-threatening situations such as cardiac arrests, structure fires, and rescues. Additionally, advanced alerting technology minimizes stress and confusion in high-pressure moments, enhancing operational readiness and overall public safety for our community. Radios / Communications – Continue to replace outdated handheld (and vehicle) radios for our Fire Operations and Ocean Safety personnel. New technology allows the Radios to make use of Cell and wifi and increases portable radio reliability. Automated External Defibrillators – Replaces all end-of-life units, inability to obtain replacement parts and batteries. Proposal FY26 Cost Notes Twin Engine Helicopter $2,745,109 1st of 7, $16M @ 4.8% Kapa'a Fire Engine (Engine 2)$344,549 1st of 5, $1.5M @ 4.8% Scheduled Replacement Koloa Fire Engine (Engine 4)$344,549 1st of 5, $1.5M @ 4.8% Scheduled Replacement Fire Station Alerting $380,000 Hardware / Remote Alerting (All Stations) Radios / Communications $225,000 Fire Operations $170,000 Ocean Safety $55,000 Automated External Defibtillators 30 ea $150,000 Second Half of "All KFD" Replacement 4 Specialized Training Funds allocated to provide our first responders with fireground operations and firefighter survival skills training. Also enhanced ropes rescue systems, confined space rescue, helicopter egress (water ditching), rescue watercraft, drone, SCUBA, Hazmat, and advanced training in brush / wildland and wildfire incident management. Operational Readiness To maintain and enhance operational readiness, the department has committed to replacing two Lifeguard towers, replacing expired rescue equipment, and providing specialized and required training to our personnel and our Cadre Instructors. 3. OPERATIONAL CHALLENGES Emergency Response Vehicle Fleet The need to replace three outdated Fire Engines, and five Brush Trucks has been addressed in FY2023 and FY2024 budgets. We have received the First of the three Fire Engines; the remainder should arrive by Summer 2026 due to back orders and supply chain issues. This year’s apparatus requests will align us to return to a regular replacement timeline. We also anticipate three Brush Trucks to be delivered by late Summer 2025. The previously funded additional two Water Tenders are expected to be delivered in Spring 2026, and Summer 2027. Wildland / Brush Fires The County of Kaua‘i remains steadfast in advancing wildfire preparedness, mitigation, and response efforts to protect our island from devastating fires like those seen in Lahaina. The Kaua‘i Fire Department (KFD) has established a Wildfire Mitigation and Response Working Group to enhance operational readiness, develop Standard Operating Guidelines, and expand public education initiatives, including potential Firewise Communities. Recently, our Deputy Chief, Proposal FY26 Cost Notes Fireground Operations / FF Survival $59,102 At KFD & Off Island Ropes / Rescue Systems $58,400 At KFD & Off Island Helicopter Rescue & Helicopter Egress $95,863 At KFD & Off Island Marine / Rescue Watercraft $26,964 At KFD SCUBA $23,760 At KFD Proposal FY26 Cost Notes Kealia Lifeguard Tower $100,000 Scheduled Replacement (20 to 25 years) Lydgate Lifeguard Tower $100,000 Scheduled Replacement (20 to 25 years) 5 Prevention Captain, and Planning Department attended the State’s Hawai‘i Wildfire Summit hosted by HWMO on the Big Island, gaining valuable insights to strengthen our wildfire response efforts. Key initiatives include implementing a Severity Staffing Plan, staging reserve apparatus for rapid deployment, continuing to acquire additional wildfire-capable firefighting equipment, and strengthening partnerships with state, federal, and private landowners for fuel reduction projects. Additionally, we continue to collaborate with DOFAW to initiate prescribed burns as a proactive fire management tool, and with recent grant funding secured, we are preparing to update our 2016 Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) to ensure our strategies remain current and effective. KFD is also enhancing emergency communications by upgrading firefighter radios and implementing the PulsePoint system for early public notifications. With FEMA funding secured for a new Type V Fire Engine and additional FY26 budget requests for a state-of-the-art fire station alerting system, the County remains committed to proactive wildfire prevention and response. Through continued collaboration, strategic investments, and state support, Kaua‘i is strengthening its ability to prevent and mitigate wildfires, safeguarding our communities, natural resources, and way of life. Aging Equipment The department utilizes a vast array of equipment as it addresses all-hazard emergency response across Kaua‘i. As this equipment ages, it loses its effectiveness or safety margins requiring replacement or repair. All annual budget proposals include scheduled replacements for rope systems, helicopter operations gear, Rescue Watercraft, hazardous response equipment, etc. This equipment is essential for safe operations and successful mitigation of emergencies. 4. OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS FROM FY 2025 Service Delivery The Kaua‘i Fire Department continued to provide exceptional emergency response services across the island, ensuring public safety despite operational challenges. Notable efforts include the rapid containment of significant wildland fires, swift ocean rescues, and timely medical interventions that saved lives. The department’s commitment to operational excellence was demonstrated through strategic deployment of resources, as well as improved interagency coordination with mutual aid partners. Operational Readiness To enhance emergency preparedness and response, the department made key advancements in personnel training, equipment procurement, and infrastructure improvements. Major milestones include the acquisition of upgraded personal protective equipment, the integration of new communication systems to improve situational awareness, and ongoing fleet modernization efforts. Additionally, the successful implementation of a severity staffing plan bolstered wildfire response capabilities during peak fire conditions. Community Risk Reduction KFD strengthened its fire prevention and public education initiatives to build a more resilient community. Through outreach programs such as Fire Prevention Week, the department actively engaged residents in emergency preparedness. Inspectors and fire prevention specialists also conducted risk assessments and pre-fire planning to mitigate hazards in vulnerable areas, further advancing the department’s mission to protect lives and property.