HFD reviews security policy

By James Gonser
Advertiser Urban Honolulu Writer

A successful blood-pressure testing program at O'ahu fire stations was shut down last month when the terrorism threat level in Hawai'i was increased from blue (guarded) to yellow (elevated risk), but it could soon be reinstated as the Fire Department takes a second look at its security restrictions.

HFD Capt. Kenison Tejada said the policy of closing fire stations to the public for blood-pressure screenings is being reviewed and is expected to be changed soon.

"It is one of the things we said we were going to do if we went to threat level yellow," Tejada said. "It's just for the security for the stations. They are reworking that, and it is one of the issues (the department) is visiting right now. It is just a matter of when."

Capt. Mike Chung, with the Manoa fire station, said before the threat level was changed to yellow, at least a couple of elderly residents would come in every day to check their blood pressure. The sign advertising the service in front of the station is now covered, and people will be turned away until the policy to allow the screenings is changed.

"I guess they just wanted to err on the side of caution, and in these times it makes a lot of sense," Chung said. "We see the same (elderly) faces all the time. We definitely know they are not al-Qaida."

But, "we told them we can't do the screenings again until we take that cover off the sign."

Don Weisman, American Heart Association of Hawai'i communications director, said a state health program to provide blood-pressure information was cut years ago and the Fire Department has taken over that role.

"There is a big demand among the elderly population for that service," he said. "It is another way the firefighters make themselves heroes in the community. They are not just firefighters; they provide all kinds of lifesaving services. Police, too."

Weisman said high-blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease and strokes, and Hawai'i has a high risk factor for strokes, especially among Asian Americans. Although the service could help save lives, safety comes first.

"I can understand that based on some of the risks I've read about with the threat of terrorists using emergency vehicles and loading them up with explosives, I can understand their concern," Weisman said.

The Heart Association trained many of the firefighters to provide the screenings, and distributes stroke materials at the fire stations.

"When people get their blood-pressure screenings, firefighters hand out these self-assessments that people can fill out and see what their stroke risk is," Weisman said.

People can still get free blood pressure screenings at the association's headquarters, 245 N. Kukui St., and at various pharmacies on the island.

Reach James Gonser at 535-2431 or jgonser@honoluluadvertiser.com.