More than 100 fire chiefs from around the world are meeting in Hawaii this week for a series of briefings and roundtable discussions on various issues including their role in the post-Sept. 11 environment. Fire chiefs to talk
security in islesRepresentatives from departments
around the world will attend
the annual conferenceBy B.J. Reyes
Associated PressThe agenda for the 2002 Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Conference addresses topics such as homeland security, the use of weapons of mass destruction and bioterrorism.
But the chiefs also plan to focus on issues specific to their cities and how other fire departments can benefit from their experiences.
"They go over the agendas that face the larger metro departments," Honolulu Fire Department spokesman Capt. Kenison Tejada said yesterday.
"The United Kingdom will be sharing how they're restructuring their fire service. Singapore will be sharing their civil defense mechanisms and how they deal with different disasters there.
"The problems that other metro departments face are similar all around the nation and around the world."
Tejada said a representative from the New York Fire Department was scheduled to attend the conference.
The annual meeting is convened by the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Section, an international organization of more than 180 fire chiefs from around the world, Honolulu Fire Chief Attilio K. Leonardi said.
To qualify for membership, a chief must oversee a department with 400 or more fully paid, full-time members.
The organization serves as an advisory board to the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the National Fire Protection Association, groups that promote fire-related legislation and industry standards.
The conference alternates locations and last was held in Hawaii in 1978, under the administration of Chief Boniface Aiu.
Business meetings are scheduled to begin today and run through Thursday.
On the Net:
International Association of Fire Chiefs: www.iafc.org
National Fire Protection Association: www.nfpa.org