05 FIRE CHIEFS REPORT November 2022 (2)

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TO THE FIRE COMMISSION Highlights The following are the top 3 issues for the last month. OnNovember9,2022, the HFD participated in the naming of the Phoa Community Park in honor of the Past Mayor Billy Kenoi. The ceremony was held in the gym he was so instrumental in getting built. Attendance included many politicians and friends from the Big Island as well as the neighbor Islands. The Fire Equipment Operator Assessment Center was completed. This integral part of the promotional process had been delayed for a candidate that was off island but was authorized to take the test. This evaluation had 22 candidates go through the various testing and assessments to be ranked for potential Driver vacancies. This list will be good untilMay31,2023. Standard Operating Procedures. The first batch of Standard Operating Procedures have been returned from the Union with comments. These SOPs are being updated and the Department will have the pre-final review in November. It is anticipated that these first 12 SOPs will be signed into effect in December. This initiative supports the modernization and updates of the existing policies. MaunaLoaEruption On November27, 2022, the anticipated return of volcanic activity for Mauna Loa arrived. After a 38-year calm, the summit erupted in a spectacular eruption that was contained within the caldera. A lava lake formed at the summit and spilled over to the north and southwest portion of the summit. This initial spillage alarmed the Kona community of a potential flow, but this rapidly gave way to a northeast rift zone eruption. Four (4) fissures eventually opened, with all but one (1) falling silent since. Fissure 3, which is the most active, is producing a flow of 37,000 gallons per second. This has fed a lava flow that is approximately 2 miles from the Daniel K. Inouye (DKI) Highway. At present spread rates, Lava impacts to the DKI are expected to beonDecember12,2022. The immense interest of the public has resulted in a portion of the viewing area. The HFD is supporting this effort with a First Aid Team during the viewing hours. Section Report by: DFC Eric Moller 3| Page