4 promoted during Kaua‘i Fire Department, Ocean Safety Bureau ceremony

Kaua‘i Fire Department and Kaua‘i County Ocean Safety Bureau conducted a ceremony Friday at the Līhu‘e Civic Center to promote three firefighters and one Ocean Safety Bureau officer.

Kaua‘i Fire Chief Michael Gibson addressed the four first responders in front of a crowd of family, friends and supporters.

“We thank all of you who accepted the challenge to contribute to the future success of the Kaua‘i Fire Department and [Kaua‘i County] Ocean Safety Bureau,” said Gibson. “These men maintain high morale and integrity, and our department is better because of that. When they learn together and train together, they reinforce each other. Everyone around them becomes better.”

Administrative Battalion Chief Jayson Pablo was the emcee of the ceremony.

“It is my honor to present your family member, friend, companion and son for their promotions within the Kaua‘i Fire Department and as newest additions with the Ocean Safety Bureau,” said Pablo.

Kaua‘i County Mayor Derek Kawakami congratulated all those being promoted, saying he knows it didn’t come easy and came with a lot of hard work, studying and overcoming adversity, which required tremendous amounts of sacrifice.

“You are climbing the ladder of leadership,” said Kawakami. “You will need that support system at home because with every promotion, we assume more responsibility.”

Fire Fighter 2 Hazmat Specialist Lance Dettle

Dettle was born and raised in north California and dedicated 10 years of service to the Kaua‘i Fire Department. Through the years, he has contributed to various committees including the equipment committee, research and developmet committee and grant committee; been a CPR instructor; among other cadres and programs within the department. Dettle expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the department for the opportunity to serve, his mentors and colleagues for guidance and teamwork and his wife Jessi for her unwavering support throughout his career. He was pinned by his daughters Olive and Nora with the help of his wife.

Fire Fighter 3 Russell Fujimoto

Fujimoto has been a dedicated member of the Kaua‘i Fire Department for 14 years, contributing significantly to its operations and initiatives. He is an active member of the communications, drone and self-contained breathing apparatus committees, among other cadres and programs within the department. Fujimoto extends his gratitude to all the crews he has worked with throughout his career for their camaraderie and support. He also thanks his wife Lauren for her steadfast encouragement. Russell was pinned by his wife along with their daughter Daisy.

Fire Fighter 3 William Miller

Miller was born and raised in Hawai‘i Kai, O‘ahu. A 2007 graduate of Punahou School in Honolulu, Miller attended college in Southern California before returning home to join the Kaua‘i Fire Department. Now proud to call Kōloa home, he has served the department for 11 years and is honored to be a part of the scuba dive rescue and rescue watercraft teams. Miller expresses deep gratitude to his parents for their love, guidance and sacrifice in raising four children who are dedicated to service in community and country. He thanks his family and extended family on O‘ahu and Kaua‘i for all their unwavering love and support. He also acknowledges his Kaua‘i Fire Department family, every crew he has worked with, every captain who has mentored him and the administrative staff for their contributions to his journey. Miller is honored to carry forward the legacy of those who paved the way before him. Most importantly, he thanks his wife Whitney for her love and support. Her strength and care for him and their daughter Welina are his foundation. Pinning Miller was his wife.

Ocean Safety Bureau Captain Kaeo Lopez

Lopez hails from Anahola, Kaua‘i. With 21 years of dedicated service to the Kaua‘i County Ocean Safety Bureau, Lopez is a pioneer member and senior operator of the elite Roving Rescue Craft Unit. He is the son of Frederick Joe Lopez and nephew of legendary waterman Titus Kinimaka. He expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all those who believed in him, including Chief Kalani Vierra, his brother Prevention Capt. Kaleo Lopez, the Ocean Safety Bureau East District crew and his beautiful wife Tiana Kunioka Lopez, as well as his ‘ohana. Pinning Lopez was his wife.