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Application Number: EMW-2007-FO-07310 Narrative Statement Project Description "Please indicate which of these Target Capabilities your request outlined in this application will satisfy. Check all that apply: Responder Safety and Health Firefighting Operations/Support Hazardous Materials Response Search and Rescue Emergency Medical Services Communications • Please provide your narrative statement in the space provided below. Include in your narrative, details regarding (1) your project's description and budget, (2) your organizaton's financial need, (3) the benefit to be derived from the cost of your project, and (4) how the activities requested in your application will help your organization's daily operations and how this grant will protect life and property. Project bescription: The County of Hawaii (island of Hawaii) has an area of 4,028 square miles, covered by snow capped mountains, acid lava fields, tropigl rainforests, dry grasslands, and 266 miles of rugged coastline. This diverse land mass has 11 of the Earth's 13 climatic zones. Natural disasters are a common occurrence on the island of Hawaii. The most recent natural disaster occurced on October 15, 2006, when a 6.7 earthquake on the island of Hawaii made national headlines. Damages to infrastructure, commercial buildings, and homes were extensive. The Hawaii Fire Department (HFD) responds to various emergencies for the Couniy of Hawaii. HFD's mission is to provide Hawaii County with the highest level of services in relation to life safety, incident stabilization, and property conservation. HFD's services include Fire Suppression, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Search and Rescue, Hazardous Materials Response, and Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Response. HFD is seeking to procure a Video Teleconferencing System (VTS). Acquisition of a VTS would enable personnel to benefit from real time instructor-led classes in all areas of Hawaii County, encompassing rural, suburban, and urban areas. Real-time instruction increases teaming capacity, by providing immediate student- instructorfeedback. Continuous standardized training for 361 "Paid Firefighters" and 210 'Volunteer Firefighters' would establish concise and up-to-date training across the department, In 2003, HFD adopted National Fire Protection Association Firefighter I standards and integrated it into the recruit training curriculum. In 2005, the course was expanded to all paid firefighters, resulting in standardized company drills. Currently, the paid firefighters are 85% complete with the Firefighter I Program, The goal is to complete the Firefighter I Program for the paid firefighters, then begin training volunteer firefighters. Once this section is complete, paid firefighters will begin the Firefighter II Program. A VTS would assist HFD in meeting this goal. Additionally, because of the distances and nature of Hawaii County, a VTS could be utilized by the Training Bureau and Battalion Commanders to conduct safety meetings and messages, such as Fire Fighter and EMS Safety Stand Down, and post incident analysis or after action reviews which would benefit firefighters outside of the initial response district. This will not only allow the firefighters to remain at their stations and available to respond to emergencies in their district, but also reduce overtime and travel time expenses. A VTS for HFD would be installed at 18 different locations around the island. Fifteen of the 20 fire stations would have a monitor installed. (Five fire stations do not have the basic technical capability to accommodate a VTS.) Monitors would also be installed at HFD's administration office, dispatch center, and training center. Financial Need: HFD currently operates on an annual budget of $29,796,070. Eighty-two percent of the budget is allogted to salaries. Equipment, supplies, and maintenance encompasses 17.3°k of the budget. One hundred and eight thousand dollars (.36%) is allotted for the department's training section. EXHIBIT "A"