2020-11-06 Fire Commission Regular Minutes

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Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes November 6, 2020 Page 3 • Support Services Division ✓ Training: The 49th recruit class had their swearing in ceremony. They will be moving to different stations. ✓ Volunteer Training: All east side volunteer companies received training on Community Risk Reduction. They began communications with the State to participation in the Federal Excess Personal Property and Firefighter Property Programs. They are waiting to view available federal surplus apparatus. West Hawaii Today published a very nice article on their Volunteer Firefighter Program. Volunteer Commander Bertsch reported that all volunteers carry portable radios at all times. He brings this up because they had a brush fire in Kona last night. A volunteer responded, and was able to report the status of the fire. Commissioner Magsalin stated that she lives in Laupahoehoe and is a CERT member. She asked about expanding the volunteers in her areas. Commander Bertsch will get the information to her. ✓ EMS Bureau: The 49th recruit class successfully completed EMT training and all have been license. Five personnel have successfully completed paramedic school. HFD is partnering with private and public agencies to become a "Heart Safe Community". The State is requesting budget cuts. They are using Cares funding for shortages. They are working on getting bids for Medic 14 in South Kohala. ✓ Prevention Bureau: The bureau assisted with the Covid-19 Task Force and community outreach. Six personnel completed fire alarm inspections and testing and fire alarm plan reviews. In response to questions, Chief stated that he implemented the 24-hour program. On the 24-hour schedule, personnel have time after 4:30 to continue working, and can do fire investigations and training after 4:30 without overtime. They review plans, but they cannot tell people what to do. They can only tell them what's wrong. When they had the 8 -hour program, not many people wanted to work that schedule. More people are willing to work the 24 -hr shift. They work in county facilities and stations at night. They have a location in East and West Hawaii. They number of plan reviews varies. It could be as high as 180 or as little as 100 each month. This 24 -hr shift has been going on for almost 2 years. ✓ Auxiliary Services: They are finishing up their equipment inventory. Two fire dispatchers have moved to up to shiftwork on the dispatch floor. • New Projects and Business: The new fire/police dispatch center went out to bid.