2020-02-12 Fire Commission Regular Minutes

Home

Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes February 12, 2020 Page 4 ✓ Volunteer Training: Volunteer Commander Bertsch stated that he knows the Chief has been doing more with less, and the volunteers have also been doing more with less. The volunteers use a very small dollar amount of the Fire Department's budget. They don't request raises but do the work because they love to help. They are not there to take away from the career side. It takes him a year to put a volunteer firefighter in the field with proper screening and training. Chief Rosario has continually upped their game. He would like to give them concessions and incentives for the volunteer program. He wants to be able to entice volunteers into the career side. Their website is still not working. Their next commanders' meeting is scheduled for March 28 at Pu`uanahulu. Commissioner Payesko asked what they could do to help. Chief Rosario stated that they could advocate with the County Council. A lot of their equipment came from their contingency fund. Commissioner Payesko asked about giving them credit for their volunteer service when applying to the career side. Chief stated that that is handled by Human Resources. Commissioner St. Ambrogio suggested an advertising campaign for volunteer firefighters. Commander Bertsch stated that individuals looking to becoming a volunteer have always been via online searches. Chief Todd is working to get their volunteer site back online. Volunteers are part of the Fire Department, and when the budget is cut, funds for the volunteers and their equipment is also cut. AC Perreira of the Support Services Division stated that the volunteer's budget is at the same level they were at 20 years ago. They don't have enough funds for their medical exams. A lot of their training is done with grant funds. Volunteers do a lot for our community. ✓ Training: AC Perreira stated that the 47th Firefighter Recruit class graduated on February 1. Training for the 48th and 49th FF Recruit classes are being combined. ✓ EMS Bureau: AC Perreira reported that they are finalizing their FY 2020-21 budget contract with the State which is not status quo. They look at what they need, ask for that, and usually get what they ask for. They will be getting three new ambulances. They are moving forward with STEMI/PCI transports. This allows them to transport cardiac patients directly to Hilo Medical Center. Previously, they had to be transported to Honolulu. Hands Only CPR continues at the high schools. They did a class for State building personnel. MICT class continues with 6 personnel. ✓ Prevention Bureau: Their Smoke Alarm Program continues with the assistance of the Red Cross who are giving them an additional 500 smoke alarms.