2022-05-11 Fire Commission Minutes

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Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes May 11, 2022 Page 5 they do not do investigations on unpermitted structures. BC Kurashige stated that she initially went to the fire station to ask for an investigation and the captain there referred her to him. At that time, he was a week in as the acting battalion chief. His understanding was that there was a memo stating that they were going to concentrate on major fires, to include high dollar value loss and injuries or deaths due to fires. Even as a captain prior to becoming the acting battalion chief, it was known that unpermitted structures weren't going to be investigated without a reason. She wasn't lied to, they do arson investigations, they just need to determine how to best utilize their resources. About a week later, they did the investigation. Commissioner Magsalin asked if arson investigations go to the police to investigate. BC Kurashige explained that when it comes to fire investigations, they only determine origin and cause. If the cause is determined to be an arson, they give the case to police. A police officer initiated a case on their end and routed it to a detective; the fire department is done at that point. Commissioner Wolf returned to the meeting at 11:00 a.m. Commissioner Paleka asked about the detective's findings. BC Kurashige stated that the case was suspended. He explained that unless further information comes forth, to determine that the case will continue to be investigated, they call it a suspension. Until you get more information to continue the investigation, it will remain suspended. This case is still open. Chair Kosaki asked how fires to unpermitted structures would be handled in the future. BC Kurashige stated that it is a case -by -case basis; the fire captain can make the call. Usually you want an investigation for documentation purposes to recover your loss, there is the record management system for that purpose. Captains are capable of doing initial investigations and making that determination. He further stated that this case was unique because of the previous memo that was sent out, it was a misunderstanding. UNFINISHED BUINESS Amendment to the Fire Commission's Rules. Proposed amendments include the following: ✓ Amendment to Rule 5(B)(1): Changes regular meetings from the second Wednesday of each month to the fourth Thursday of each month, unless otherwise specified by the Commission. ✓ Amendment to Rule 8(a): Extends the time to file a complaint from sixty (60) days to ninety (90) days from the date of the incident. Commissioner Paleka motioned to adopt the amendments, seconded by Commissioner Henkel, all in favor, no oppositions. DCC Kekai stated the proposed