2022-05-11 Fire Commission Minutes

Home

Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes May 11, 2022 Page 4 • Updates: Chief Todd reported that funds for the PGV SCBA compressor has been transferred to an account for the department to access, they are proceeding with the procurement process. The goal is to obtain built in units, tied into the building. IT has been working on the conversion process from TradeGecko to Ecommerce (inventory management platform). They have been working on the Hawaii Fire Chief's Association conference in December. The current plan is to have a mixed conference, which would be both virtual and in person. One of the speakers there will be retired Fire Chief Bobby Halton, who is the chief editor for Fire Engineering Magazine. Commissioner Paleka motioned to meet in executive session to consider complaints against employees of the fire department, where matters affecting privacy will be involved, to work on the evaluation of the Fire Chief, and for the purpose of consulting with the commission's attorney on questions and issues pertaining to the commission's powers, duties, privileges, immunities, and liabilities pursuant to HRS Sections 92-5, (a) (2) (4) (6) and the Hawaii County Charter 13-20 (b). Seconded by Commissioner Magsalin, and it carried unanimously. Executive session convened at 9:45 a.m. Commissioner Wolf left the meeting while in executive session at 10:10 a.m. Regular session reconvened at 10:47 a.m. CONSIDERATION AND INVESTIGATION OF COMPLAINTS (Briefly summarized) • HCFC 22-02: Complainant, Alohalani Hope Cermlj alleges that she was lied to about an arson investigation. Ms. Cermlj came before the commission. She shared that she had lost everything she owned due a house fire. She stated that Chief Todd, Deputy Chief Moller and their crew were excellent, but she still lost everything. Ms. Cermelj stated that she had to contact Chief Todd in order to have an arson investigation conducted. She explained that one of his employees told her over the phone that they do not do arson investigations on unpermitted structures. She asked for proof of this and this employee hung up on her. She expressed her gratitude for Deputy Chief Moller and Battalion Chief Kurashige, as they later responded and conducted an investigation. She hopes that in the future, personnel receive better training and that this never happens again to someone who has an unpermitted structure. Chair Kosaki asked Ms. Cermelj if since then, the problem has been rectified and if it has been clarified that they do conduct investigations for all fires. Ms. Cermelj stated yes, it was remedied and they later conducted a very thorough investigation. Battalion Chief Palani Kurashige came before the commission. Chair Kosaki asked if he had spoken to the initial employee that Ms. Cermelj contacted, who told her that