I voted no for many reasons:

I did not have the entire and complete plan finalized, all facts before making an informed decision. Fire District not a charity?

Why would our Fire District pay for this when the federal government and the state of Hawaii has tax funds for these types of disasters.

Have other fire Agencies in Hawaii come to their assistance involving a fire truck either loaning or donating one?

Total cost to the Fire District? Total worth of Fire Truck; cost of transportation?

Who will transport it?

Will the federal government purchase the fire truck from us? Compensate us?

Post article: I never asked about a helicopter transport, it was regarding a C-130 Transport Aircraft. With my over 50 years of public safety experience, why would a helicopter be used for such a long travel distance. C-130’s are the transport aircraft used for these purposes.


Just a few unanswered and no supported plan.

ALL UNANSWERED… An idea, yet, not finalized for my approval and vote.

Thank you to the Fire Board for authorizing this donation and to members of the community who supported making a positive differance!

I commend the Fire Chief and his staff for not only successfully reaching out to the Maui Fire Department during this busy and difficult time, but in what may also be their greatest time of need. Clearly the Chief has been closely working with them to ensure that this Fire Engine donation is appropriate, seamless and properly fits into their existing fleet of emergency response fire apparatus.

Fire Chief Lorenzen correctly described the Fire District and Task Forces ability to lead and show compassion to not only its own citizens but other communities during their time of need. Something the organization and community should be proud of.

A Departments fire engines are the heart of any Fire Agencies operations. They are not only effective tools for handling fires and other emergencies, but most importantly they are used to safely protect the firefighters who operate them as they navigate and respond to all kinds of emergencies, no matter the weather, time of day or conditions.

While they are constantly taken care of, washed, polished and checked for readiness, they are also symbolic, iconic and specifically designed to support a unique need within the important and primary mission of the protection of life and property.

This used and surplus fire engine will allow the Maui Fire Department time to order and receive a new fire engine, which can take up to three years or more.

Meanwhile, emergency services delivery will no longer be interrupted or altered by the total loss of Maui Engine 1.

Harold Schapelhouman, Retired Fire Chief Menlo Park Fire Protection District

Thanks Chief Harold. Hope things workout for them. It’s sad that the federal or the state of Hawaii Fire agencies will not support or provide funding to assist the Maui Fire Department, loaning them a fire truck, loaning or giving them the basic items for their operational needs? A fire truck out of their fleets ( 11 military bases, and Honolulu Fire Department with over 60 firefighting vehicles, to include 3 helicopters, would be ideal.