2020-08-18 Fire Commission Regular Minutes

Home

Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Minutes August 18, 2020 Page 2 Robert Perreira as Deputy Fire Chief. He asked if the commission had any questions for him or for Deputy Perreira. There were no questions. Chief Rosario stated that Chair Yamada asked that he go over things they are doing for Covid-19. He briefed the commission on a Battalion Chief at the Waikoloa station who took a routine Covid test, had a positive result, but was asymptomatic. He was put in quarantine. They did contact tracing and consultations. Two BCs, who live in the same closed quarters were placed on 14 -day quarantine. Both returned to work after two negative tests. They also looked at where the BCs had gone. All the employees in those stations were asked to do voluntary testing. Others who had direct contact with the BCs were put on mandatory quarantine. They also decontaminated the stations in Waikoloa, North Kohala, South Kohala, and Kailua. Overall, about 15-20 personnel were tested. They erred on the way of caution by doing testing that was not required by DOH. In response to questions, Chief stated that the stations are like a household. They cannot do social distancing, although they do a lot of cleaning. If the quarantine is work related, they are able to get administrative leave. If it is non -work related, it would be personal sick leave. To fill the position of someone in quarantine, they would recall off- duty personnel. It's like military activation. If they had 30 people out, it would affect them, and they would have to close down an intermediate station, and combine stations. It would be difficult for rural, outlining stations. They stress proper hygiene, social distancing, and masks. The plan is fluid. If they shut down, it will affect the community. Currently they have a 14 -day quarantine for inter -island travel, and they get tested. The Mayor stated that any employee going off island requires a 14 -day quarantine. BC Chris Honda showed and explained the PPEs they use. Screening starts with dispatch. All personnel are required to show up with a mask and eye protection. All their masks are N95 approved. They can reuse PPEs for minor cases such as stubbed toes. Right now, their inventory is good. They have protocol when responding to calls to decrease exposure to all personnel present. Lifeguards also get PPEs. BC Honda did a show and tell of their newest ambulance that was in the parking lot. Deputy Chief Perreira gave a Covid-19 education presentation. He stated that the Fire Department has been tasked with leading the Prevention and Education Task Force for the County. Their primary role is to work with businesses in the community and help them become Covid safe or help them meet the Covid requirements so they can stay open and operate. They do site visits, meet with the manager or owner and staff to educate them on mask -wearing, 6 -ft. distances, signage, and room capacity. They also follow up with complaints. The Civil Defense hotline gets about 25-40 complaints a week of different businesses. They send their team out to those businesses to educate them and mitigate the problems. They want businesses to stay open as long as they follow the guidelines. If businesses aren't following the guidelines, after a third visit, they are referred to Corporation Counsel, the Health Department, Liquor Control, or the police department. They do the education side, and let the police and other agencies do the