The Honolulu Fire Department is warning of fraudulent calls claiming to represent the Fire Department and offering to install home fire extinguishers.
Fire officials said the department has not authorized anyone to solicit or install fire extinguishers or any other fire protection service. The calls are believed to be a scam and have been referred to the Police Department.
Anyone with information on the calls is asked to contact police or CrimeStoppers at 955-8300.
The department does provide smoke alarms through the Smoke Alarms for Everyone program, called SAFE, a free service that installs smoke alarms in local residents’ homes.
However, residents sign up for their free smoke alarm at community events where they can speak with firefighters. There is no phone solicitation.
Fire Department personnel who install smoke alarms in homes will always be in uniform with proper identification.
Fire Department accredited for fourth time
The Honolulu Fire Department received accreditation from the Commission on Fire Accreditation International for the 2015-2020 period. It was the fourth such accreditation received by the department.
HFD is one of 207 agencies worldwide to obtain the CFAI accredited agency status.
Earlier this year a CFAI team of five peer assessors completed an evaluation of HFD and submitted documentation and their recommendation for reaccreditation. To maintain accredited agency status, HFD pursued the goals of its 2014-2019 Strategic Plan, which aligns with the current standards and best practices of fire departments worldwide.
HFD first received its accredited agency status in August 2000 and was the first fire department in Hawaii to be accredited.
Apparel stolen from surf store
Thieves broke into a Kona surf clothing store on Hawaii island early Tuesday, making off with bikinis, blouses, rash guards and other attire.
Hawaii island police said they responded to a call about the burglary at Oshima Surf at 79-7400 Mamalahoa Highway in Kainaliu at 2:23 a.m., when someone in a nearby business heard suspicious noises and saw a dark Toyota Tacoma truck being driven away and headed north on Mamalahoa.
Patrol officers found the shop had been broken into and that surveillance video showed four burglars with their faces obscured grabbing clothing and leaving with it.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Police Department’s nonemergency line at 935-3311. Working on the case are Detective Roylen Valera at 326-4646, ext. 224, or roylen.valera@hawaiicounty.gov; and Walter Ah Mow at 326-4646, ext. 238, or walter.ahmow@hawaiicounty.gov. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the islandwide CrimeStoppers number at 961-8300.
Police seeking tips in burglary
Hawaii County police are asking for the public’s help in finding information on a Hilo burglary Thursday morning in which a black 1992 Nissan Pathfinder was used.
Police said shortly before 9 a.m. the SUV was used in an Amaulu Road burglary in Wainaku.
The SUV was found abandoned a half-hour later in downtown Hilo in the area of Kilauea Avenue and Mamo Street.
