ROD ANTONE / RANTONE@STARBULLETIN.COM Honolulu Fire Department employee of the year Richard "Rick" Karasaki Jr. received his award yesterday from Gov. Linda Lingle at a presentation at the governor's office.

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Inspector’s work earned
HFD national certification

A fire inspector who brought national recognition to the Honolulu Fire Department has been chosen as HFD's employee of the year for 2004.

Fire Inspector Richard "Rick" Karasaki Jr. was recognized by Gov. Linda Lingle yesterday for his work to get national accreditation for HFD training.

A 16-year veteran in the department, Karasaki is in charge of making sure that HFD's training of firefighters meets the challenges of a changing world.

"We've got to meet industry standards," he said at the ceremony at the governor's office. "We need medical training, how to deal with potential weapons of mass destruction. ... It's getting tougher. The whole job is changing, especially after 9/11.

"We're not just putting water on fires anymore."

Through his work, HFD training was nationally certified by the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress.

HFD Capt. Bill Melemai described Karasaki as embodying the department's slogan of "Pride, Service and Dedication."

He said Karasaki has worked tirelessly to get HFD evaluated by its peers on the mainland so that the department would be recognized for meeting and sometimes exceeding national standards.

"What this means is that our firefighters are among the best in the nation," Melemai said.

Lingle said it takes a great effort for a department to gain national accreditation.

"There are usually 100 separate goals," she said. "This is a huge undertaking for any department."