2020-07-08 Fire Commission Regular Minutes

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Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes July 8, 2020 Page 2 Budget ✓ FY 2019/2020: Chief reported that much of his report is the same from the last several reports. Their deficit is due to not being properly funded. Each employee was given only $1,000 for overtime. 24-hour work encompasses overtime, brush fire incidents causes overtime. Back in March, they recognized the deficit and met with Finance and the Mayor. A lot of their overtime was due to Mauna Kea. When the Mayor decided, they would not make any arrests, their mission on Mauna Kea was pulled back to save money. They spent about $175,000 in the short time they were there. They worked hard, but then came the Coronavirus. The Covid-19 Task Force was started for public education. All the signage and information for businesses was led by Deputy Chief Uchida. All of that costs money. The numbers are not final, but they are not in the negative. ✓ FY 2020/21: Their final budget was approved by the County Council. They had $40,000 in budget cuts. Their supplemental budget requests, apparatus replacement budget, historically justified overtime funding, and additional personnel to meet standards were not approved. They received word that the State was not going to fund Hapuna. Hapuna is the most lethal beach in the state. The County staffs Hapuna. He gave a statement to the legislature in support of funding for Hapuna. The State cut $4.5 million for 4 ambulances, but the legislature came through with the funding. They are waiting for the governor to sign the bill. Alternative Funding and Grants ✓ Daniel R. Sayre Memorial Foundation: The 2020 awards dinner was cancelled, and they are now looking at virtual awards. AC Okinaka is working with the foundation on current donations. ✓ USDA USFS Wildland Grant: They were awarded $50,000 for wildland training. ✓ USFA FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant: The grant committee submitted projects for PPE cleaning. The AFG awards and disbursement was postponed to 2021 due to Covid-19. Human Resources Division ✓ Internal Recruitment within the Department: Fire Captain assessment and interviews were completed. Fire Equipment Operator referred list was received. Fire Rescue Specialist and Fire Hazardous Materials Specialist recruitment was postponed due to Covid-19. ✓ Internal Recruitment within the County: Two Fire Radio Dispatchers will be hired on August 1. ✓ Employee Development Training: All training cancelled due to Covid-19. ✓ Labor Relations: Internal investigations ongoing regarding rank for rank. • Emergency Operations Division