Honolulu firefighters continue to seek hazard pay, which other city essential workers received during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hawaii News Now reported that many essential workers were given tens of thousands of dollars, but firefighters were not, as their contracts did not include such provisions. Firefighter Casen Cluney said, "We’re being up close and personal with them (COVID patients) because they are sick."
The city is offering firefighters a $7,500 sum, also available to other workers similarly contract-bound, such as bus operators. However, "It is a gift, and it is an award from the city government," Cluney told Hawaii News Now. "However, when we feel that we were in the midst of it all, being first responders, being faced with these patients who are really sick" the sentiment suggests frustration and a yearning for recognition that aligns with the risks they embraced. Honolulu’s Managing Director Michael Formby stated, “We understand that some individuals are unhappy with the distribution of THP, but the City has carefully followed the rules governing THP payments while simultaneously honoring our financial capacity to pay THP to employees."
Kalu Wolfe, a captain with the Honolulu Fire Department, said, "It kind of feels disrespected, you know, like if that's the case because I'm not sure whether fair is a contractual minimum or equal exposure to hazard. We've been led to believe with the words that it was going to be fair and that it was going to be equal," according to KITV. Firefighters will receive a flat sum for hazard pay, while other first responders and essential employees receive 15 percent of their salaries, which is higher. Honolulu officials have allocated $150 million for hazard pay and say the distribution to fire department members is equitable within the city’s budget.
