Kauaʻi Fire Department during a Kauaʻi County Fire Commission meeting July 21 honored Battalion Chief Jayson Pablo for 27 years of dedicated service as he concludes his career and retires.
“Today is one of those rare occasions where we have the privilege of recognizing someone whose impact is measured by much more than rank or years of service,” said Kauaʻi Fire Department Chief Michael Gibson in a department release. “When people think of Jayson, they think of someone who is genuinely kind, humble and treats everyone with respect; someone whose smile and positive attitude have a way of making everyone around him feel a little better.”
Kauaʻi County Mayor Derek Kawakami also proclaimed the day Jayson Pablo Day in Kauaʻi County in honor of the longtime fire official.
Pablo began his career as a firefighter and rose through the ranks to captain, battalion chief and administrative battalion chief. With every promotion came greater responsibility, but colleagues say his kind, humble and steady character never changed.
The chief throughout his career helped shape the future of the department.
He was instrumental in establishing and leading Kauaʻi Fire Department’s first Wildfire working group, bringing together personnel from throughout the department and partner agencies to strengthen wildfire preparedness, mitigation and community resilience.
The work laid the foundation for many of the wildfire initiatives on which the department continues to build.
Pablo was also a passionate supporter of community outreach, recognizing the department’s mission extends beyond emergency response to educating, preparing and serving the people of Kauaʻi before emergencies happen.
He played a critical role in planning and coordinating the Hawaiʻi Fire Chiefs Association Conference when Kauaʻi hosted the event in 2023.
“I thank the Lord for such a blessed life and a blessed career, and I’m grateful to everyone who helped me along the way,” said Pablo in the release. “Most of all, thank you to the island of Kauaʻi for letting me serve these past 27 years. I’ve received so much from this department; the privileges, the opportunities and the friendships that will last a lifetime.”
