Fire department gets new water safety equipment
Big Island ocean users, as well as lifeguards, all became safer on Thursday thanks to a sizable donation by the Daniel R. Sayre Memorial Foundation to the Hawaii Fire Department.
The nonprofit donated two new 2022 Yamaha water safety craft, two trailers and two tow boards to the Ocean Safety Officers of the Hawaii Fire Department. The $58,905 in funding for the items came via private donors and a $28,700 grant from Hawaii County and also covers training.
These two water safety craft will go toward replacing the four Jet Skis donated in 2015. Currently, only one of those four remains in operation.
“Not only will these pieces of equipment make it safer for the beach goers, they will also make it possible for our lifeguards to do their jobs more safely and efficiently,” Assistant Fire Chief Eric Moeller said.
The blessing ceremony took place at the Haihai fire station in Hilo and was officiated by County Councilman Holeka Inaba. Also in attendance were Councilwomen Heather Kimball and Susan Lee Loy. .
“Obviously, these life saving water craft will be a big help at the beaches they are deployed to. However, with an island our size and the number of beaches we have, a total of three water safety craft are not nearly enough. We are currently raising funds to purchase more of them. With a community as caring and giving as ours, we should be able to do it,” Laura Mallery-Sayre, co-founder of the Daniel R. Sayre Memorial Foundation, said.
The Daniel R. Sayre Memorial Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit tax-deductible foundation. It was founded in 1997 to raise funds for the Hawaii Fire Department for the purchase of equipment and training that the County budget cannot cover.
The foundation’s 25th annual awards dinner and fundraiser will be held on Sept. 3 at the Fairmont Orchid Hotel and Spa.
For more information, to donate or to register for the event, visit danielsayrefoundation.org.
