2022-05-11 Fire Commission Minutes

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Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes May 11, 2022 Page 3 utilities. They also asked for money to fund the chaplaincy program. The Police Department has been advocating and funding the program, the Fire Department has been using it without contributing. They also received funding to support training for Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM). Chopper 1's engine will need an overhaul, so they put aside $1.4 million to facilitate that. Commissioner Mattos asked if the total budget included the money received for EMS and lifeguards. Chief Todd stated that the full amount of EMS funding does not show up in their budget. They didn't have enough for ambulances, so he asked the state legislatures for a $1.2 million increase, which was approved. This will go towards equipment, five ambulances and automatic compression devices for CPR. Commissioner Mattos asked about the raises. Chief Todd stated that the difference in the total cost of this year to last year is accounted for in the budget. Vice Chair Kosaki asked if the overtime is for emergency overtime or scheduled overtime. Chief stated that it is for staffing overtime and holiday pay. • Highlights: Chief Todd conducted station visitations and Coffee with the Chief. Coffee with the Chief was streamed on YouTube and is still available to be viewed. They spoke about his vision and discussed the Annual HFD Survey results. Approximately 80-85% of the department is either satisfied or very satisfied with how things are going. 10% do not care, 5% is unhappy, and 1 % is very unhappy. His goal is to go out to all the stations, every four months and speak with personnel. Vice Chair Kosaki asked what percentage of employees responded to the survey. Chief stated they received 150 responses out of 400, which is good compared to other surveys he put out in the past. He noted that the survey was not anonymous, unknown if this affected it. Chief Todd presented Battalion Chief Palani Kurashige with a challenge coin. Chief Todd shared that while conducting station visitations, one of the stations praised BC Kurashige. They have been facing severe issues in Eden Roc Estates, with vehicles parked all over the road, preventing EMS access. They reached out to BC Kurashige, who then worked with vehicle recovery, resolving the issue. Chief Todd reported that a volunteer fire captain hit an HPD vehicle while responding to a call in Pahala. HPD's vehicle may be totaled; the incident is still being investigated. Currently, there's one criminal investigation within the department due to harassment against an employee. They have a private investigator looking into social media issues with different employees. Human Resources: Chief Todd reported internal recruitments: a fire captain in Emergency Communications, a fire captain in the Fire Prevention Bureau, a storekeeper, and two account clerk positions, one will be temporary and the other permanent.