Honolulu Fire Chief Kenneth Silva has received the highest possible rating in an annual performance review by the Honolulu Fire Commission, the department said yesterday.

The evaluation, Silva's third, noted that he has continued to improve fire and emergency services and demonstrated exemplary performance.

In evaluating Silva's performance, the commission considered effectiveness, competence, attitude, morale, integrity and other traits. Silva scored the highest possible rating for leadership qualities with an aggregate average score of 5.

"Chief Silva continues to demonstrate he is an outstanding leader," fire commission chair Elizabeth Ho noted in the Feb. 18 report.

Silva assumed command of the fire department in January 2006. He joined the department in 1981 and worked his way through the ranks as a firefighter, fire captain, battalion chief and assistant chief.