2022-04-13 Fire Commission Minutes

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Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes April 13, 2022 Page 5 Commissioner Paleka stated that according to the contract, 288 hours are required per year. Mr. Benner responded that it's not required, it's offered. They have to offer each fire fighter 12 shifts per year of rank -for -rank or 288 hours. Commissioner Paleka asked, "On your rank -for -rank overtime, how much temporary assignment do you assign?" Chief Todd stated he doesn't have an answer for that, Mr. Benner responded very little. Chief Todd stated they have the union agreed recall; it depends on the position and a variety of factors. Commissioner Paleka stated that HFD relies a lot on the rank -for -rank overtime, when there is a lot of opportunity for temporary assignment. Chair Kosaki stated that it is a contractual issue. Commissioner Paleka states that the contract says that it's supposed to be for safety and morale purposes, so it's a gray area. Commissioner Paleka states that they aren't giving personnel promotional opportunities. From his contractual experience, in his opinion, the overtime issue needs to be addressed. Chief Todd stated this is one of the reasons why they did the audit, to shed light, to look at the entire process and to see how it effects their bottom line. Mr. Benner stated there is a strong correlation between sick and vacation and the overtime being paid. As it stands right now, rank -for -rank is a big consideration, but working on day off is larger than the rank -for -rank. Commissioner Paleka asked what would address that, Mr. Benner stated the relief pool. Recommendation that HFD follow and enforce internal controls to limit rank -for -rank overtime to ninety-six hours for each quadrimester. Mr. Benner stated that he wants personnel to know that they are not looking to gut out their contractually guaranteed overtime. They are looking to minimize the overtime that might be incurred above and beyond that and preserve the capacity for the emergency incidents that they face. Chair Kosaki asked about the largest categories of overtime. Overtime work on day off is the highest percentage, maybe the department could look at assigning temporary assignments, instead of bringing personnel back on overtime. This would cut some costs. Mr. Benner explained the relief pool. A relief pool will provide HFD with a more flexible staffing model to help balance the everyday needs of the department with fluctuations that are incurred because of callouts. Benefits of a relief pool would reduce employee burnout, costs related to callbacks, and scheduled leave. Commissioner Mattos asked if the relief pool would eliminate the TA process. Mr. Benner stated that it wouldn't eliminate it, it would eliminate instances of it. There's still going to be capacity beyond what the relief pool is going to meet, they would still need to invoke the rank -for -rank and would follow operational norms. Recess was called at 12:09 p.m.