Fire chief receives high grades
Citing "outstanding leadership," the city Fire Commission gave Fire Chief Kenneth Silva high marks in his second annual evaluation.
Silva, entering his third year as chief, said he will continue to assess and refine the Honolulu Fire Department's guidelines and operations.
"Most of Chief Silva's effectiveness is a direct consequence of his ability to reach out and build relationships that enable an open dialogue throughout the department," the report stated.
The department implemented a FireView system, which integrates fire and emergency medical data with geographic information systems. Silva also created a priority list for each of Oahu's fire stations.
The five-member commission also praised Silva's skills in dealing with increasing demands and meeting fiscal challenges by seeking federal, state and local grants.
In 2007, the department reprogrammed Urban Area Security Initiative grants from 2005 to purchase medical personnel protective equipment.
In the evaluation, Silva was rated on effectiveness, competence, attitude, morale and integrity, among other attributes. Silva scored an average of 4.86 out of 5 for leadership qualities. He received the same score for his managerial skills and working relationship with the commission.
The commission also credited Silva's leadership during Oahu's worst fire last year. A 7,000-acre fire in Waialua used up about a third of the department's resources and took more than a week to extinguish.
"Chief Silva has proven to be an outstanding leader for an outstanding Fire Department," said Mayor Mufi Hannemann. "I know he'll continue to lead the men and women of the department in a competent and professional manner."