Emergency Services Mutual Aid Agreements Continue to Benefit Community, Installations

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Tristan Labuguen March 6, 2026 at 04:49PM In the last three years, federal firefighters on Oahu responded to 1,567 requests for fire and emergency services support from the City and County of Honolulu, according to Jason Lopez, Commander, Navy Region Hawaii (CNRH) Federal Fire Department (FFD) Assistant Chief for Emergency Medical Services. That averages out to 522 calls for federal emergency assistance each year. “If the Federal Fire Department has the available assets and resources and the request for assistance comes in from the City and County of Honolulu, we will go and assist,” explained Lopez. “The reciprocal is also true, where the City and County of Honolulu will provide assets for the Federal Fire Department’s mutual aid requests for emergencies when our organic assets are unavailable.” The mutual aid agreements between FFD and city and state agencies – including the Honolulu Fire Department, Honolulu Emergency Services Department, and Hawaii Airports Division – reflect a long-standing tradition of cooperation between military and civilian emergency responders dating back to World War II. Military and civilian fire protection and emergency services in Hawaii have routinely supported one another during natural disasters, aircraft accidents, and large-scale training or operational events.

Emergency Services Mutual Aid Agreements Continue to Benefit Community, Installations

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Tristan Labuguen March 6, 2026 at 04:49PM In the last three years, federal firefighters on Oahu responded to 1,567 requests for fire and emergency services support from the City and County of Honolulu, according to Jason Lopez, Commander, Navy Region Hawaii (CNRH) Federal Fire Department (FFD) Assistant Chief for Emergency Medical Services. That averages out to 522 calls for federal emergency assistance each year. “If the Federal Fire Department has the available assets and resources and the request for assistance comes in from the City and County of Honolulu, we will go and assist,” explained Lopez. “The reciprocal is also true, where the City and County of Honolulu will provide assets for the Federal Fire Department’s mutual aid requests for emergencies when our organic assets are unavailable.” The mutual aid agreements between FFD and city and state agencies – including the Honolulu Fire Department, Honolulu Emergency Services Department, and Hawaii Airports Division – reflect a long-standing tradition of cooperation between military and civilian emergency responders dating back to World War II. Military and civilian fire protection and emergency services in Hawaii have routinely supported one another during natural disasters, aircraft accidents, and large-scale training or operational events.

Hurlburt responds to 40-acre wildfire

Story by Airman Olivia Perkins March 6, 2026 at 03:24PM A large wildfire engulfing a remote area Jan. 31, 2026, drove 1st Special Operations Wing firefighters into action. Within a minute of the call, the team was geared up, in their trucks and speeding toward the flames.

Navy's Finest: Naval Base San Diego Awarded Top Honors in Fire & Emergency Services

Story by Lt. Drew Verbis March 6, 2026 at 11:36AM SAN DIEGO (March 5, 2026) – Naval Base San Diego (NBSD) has been recognized with top honors as Large Fire Department of the Year for its Metro San Diego Fire & Emergency Services (F&ES) team. The award was announced Feb. 25, 2026, by Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC), recognizing the department’s exceptional performance in protecting Navy personnel, infrastructure, and operational readiness across the fleet’s largest homeport.

162nd Wing Firefighters support FAA-required emergency exercise at Tucson International Airport

Story by Staff Sgt. Guadalupe Beltran March 5, 2026 at 11:05AM The exercise, required every three years by the Federal Aviation Administration, ensures the airport remains prepared to respond to aircraft emergencies. The training included a simulated aircraft incident designed to test the coordinated response of airport personnel and first responders. Volunteer role players participated to help replicate real-world conditions.