Brian Prudencio and Neil Yoshioka were honored as the Big Island's top 2007 police officer and firefighter, respectively, at a dinner ceremony hosted by the Aloha Exchange Club of East Hawai'i last week at the Hilo Yacht Club

In earning "Officer of the Year" honors, Prudencio was recognized for his work with the police vice section. His investigations led to the July 9 arrest of a Big Island woman and two O'ahu men in Hilo for drug offenses and the seizure of 120.4 grams of cocaine, 2.8 grams of crystal methamphetamine, 1.5 grams of marijuana and $314 in cash.

Another Prudencio investigation resulted in charges against two people and the seizure of 177.2 grams of powdered cocaine and $1,840 cash in an Aug. 3 bust at Puna's Ainaloa subdivision.

Yoshioka, a mobile intensive care technician, was cited for volunteering to apply for and manage a grant that led to the purchase of 50 radio translucent spine boards, which were distributed to Big Island fire stations. The new equipment eliminates the need to transfer patients from spinal immobilization boards for diagnostic X-rays and enhances each ambulance unit's ability to cover multiple injuries at traffic accident scenes.

Yoshioka also took the lead in a federal grant application for equipment that removes vehicle diesel exhaust and assisted in the purchase of generators and lights for all fire apparatus.