(BIVN) – Daniel Volpe was selected as the next Fire Chief for the Hawaiʻi Fire Department, following a two-day special meeting of the Hawaiʻi County Fire Commission in Hilo.
Volpe, who has worked in the department for two decades, has been serving as Temporary Fire Chief since the unexpected death of Fire Chief Kazuo Todd in December 2025.
After the vote, Volpe told the commission that their selection was one of the defining moments of his career.
“I am grateful and humbled to be selected by the Fire Commission to be the next Fire Chief for the County of Hawaiʻi,” Volpe said. “I owe a debt of service to this department, and I couldn’t be more proud of the work of our team. Every day the men and women of the Hawaiʻi Fire Department respond to emergencies across the island and serve the public with dedication and aloha, and it is my distinct honor to continue to lead this amazing organization.”
Volpe was one of six candidates for the position to be interviewed by the commission in open session on Wednesday, ahead of Thursday’s vote.
In the Hawaiʻi County Fire Department, Volpe has also served as a Firefighter, Fire Medical Specialist (paramedic), and Battalion Chief. He is a 23-year resident of Hawaiʻi Island, having relocated from Las Vegas in 2003. Volpe is a graduate of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
From the County of Hawaiʻi:
“Selecting our next Fire Chief is an important responsibility, and I want to thank the commissioners for following an open and transparent process,” said Mayor Kimo Alameda. “I wish to congratulate Daniel Volpe on his selection, and I look forward to continuing to work in collaboration with our public safety partners to support our firefighters, strengthen emergency response, and keep our communities safe.”
The job offer is contingent on the completion of a pre-employment medical examination, drug screening, and proof of a valid driver’s license. The Fire Commission tentatively scheduled Volpe’s formal appointment to take place at its Nov. 12 meeting.
“The Fire Commission would like to thank all of the candidates for their patience and support while going through the selection process for chief of the Hawaiʻi Fire Department,” said Commission Chair Gerald Kosaki. “We would like to congratulate Daniel Volpe in being selected as the next Fire Chief and look forward to working with him as commission members.”
The Fire Commission received eight applications for the position that met both the minimum qualifications and residency requirements. Of those eight, six candidates agreed to proceed with the interview process.
