Fire Chief Kenneth G. Silva has announced that the Honolulu Fire Department will hold a promotion ceremony at 9 a.m. Friday, May 23, at the Charles H. Thurston Training Center near Honolulu International Airport.

The ceremony will recognize a newly promoted battalion fire chief and 10 fire captains. In addition, 10 newly promoted HFD civilian employees will be recognized.

Newly promoted Battalion Fire Chief Socrates D. Bratakos has been assigned to the HFD's Fire Prevention Bureau and is responsible for overseeing fire inspection, fire codes, and fire investigation programs. Chief Bratakos was recognized as the HFD uniformed employee of the year in 2007.

Promoted to fire captain were Daryl A. Evangelista, Lance T. Okai, Richard T. Tsugawa, Sheldon K. Hao, Jeffrey K. Sanchez Andy J. Verke, Paul M. Miguel, Kenneth A. Thompson, Stuart F. Minchew and Robert W. Thurston.

Civilian Fire Department employees who have been promoted are Jason J. Apuya, Steven J. Nakasone, Nestor B. Tumacder, Dean A. DeMello, Jennifer N. Puaoi, Sarah Ann M. Ulep, Vincent D. Malasig, Terry A. Raquedan, Sheryl A. H. Nakama and Sandra S. Sugihara.

The Training Center is located at 890 Valkenburgh Street. Parking is available at the rear of the building.