2020-01-08 Fire Commission Regular Minutes

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Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes January 8, 2020 Page 3 ✓ Training: The 47th recruit class will have 10 graduates on February 1. The 48th recruit class continues with training. The 49th class will start on February 1. ✓ Volunteer Training: They have about 120 volunteers. The volunteers are the ones who go to the parades to represent the Fire Department. Commander Bertsch reported that they had their Captain's meeting on December 21, and Captain Bergin did wildland training. The County is putting on a volunteer website. They are looking at resolving issues with the Active 911 program. They still have problems with recruitment and retention. Exposure to the community through parades, does drive people to volunteer. They are still looking at ways to give their volunteers an advantage towards the career section. He suggested that they send a letter to the Council in support of the volunteer budget. ✓ EMS Bureau: They hosted a station meeting at North Hawaii Community Hospital, had a tour, and a presentation by Liberty Dialysis. They had an Active Shooter exercise at Airport Fire Fighters in Kona. Hands Only CPR continues at the high schools. They are working with Hilo Medical Center on percutaneous coronary intervention. ✓ Prevention Bureau: They are looking to certify personnel as NFPA Fire Inspector I. Their Arson Canine Kaimi retired last month. She can be replaced with funds from State Farm, but they need someone to commit to be the handler. ✓ Auxiliary Services: They continue to do fixes and repairs. ✓ Maintenance Shop: They did numerous repairs, service calls, and contract tows. They received three 2003 Ford Expeditions from the Honolulu Fire Department. These vehicles have less mileage than their 2007s, and will be deployed to various stations. New Projects/Business: Deputy Chief Uchida reported that Chief Rosario and AC Okinaka are reviewing new equipment on the mainland. B. FIRE CHIEF DARREN ROSARIO'S LETTER TO THE COMMISSION GIVING NOTICE OF HIS RETIREMMENT: Assistant Corporation Counsel Schoen reported that at the next meeting, they can go over the commission's write-up and can bring HR Director Brilhante to discuss the selection process further. The deadline is not set in stone. They could ask HR to publish the vacancy immediately. • Complaint HCFC 19-01: Complainant alleged that a firefighter test drove a fire truck on their easement road to provide evidence and statement for a civil matter and arbitration proceedings. Wayne and Mia Cummins came before the commission. Chair Yamada stated that they read everything they submitted and asked if they had anything to add.