2023-04-27 Fire Commission Minutes

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Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes April 27, 2023 Page 7 stations, and be trained and fit tested annually. He further explained there's a huge cost and he thinks about the cost vs. benefit ratio. Chief Moller explained that the breathing apparatus they'll be utilizing will be purchased through volunteer funds. His concern is volunteer firefighters responding to vehicle fires, putting them at risk. They need to have a strong and robust training program for the volunteers to get them to the level where they can actually do things. They can't train them if they don't have the proper equipment. This is a training initiative, they won't utilize them in lieu of paid firefighters. They're currently looking at the feasibility, they would like to get them to a level where they can do it, but it might be cost -prohibited, and it might not come to fruition. Commissioner Mattos stated it also becomes the responsibility of the Fire Department and HFD would be liable. Chief Moller reported there's a new standard operating procedure for the volunteers that separates active firefighting volunteers from inactive volunteers. The new policy breaks it down into three basic areas; responders, auxiliary, and specialists. They're also updating the volunteer physicals. • Training Services (cont.): Chief Moller reported they participated in a career fair at Keaukaha Elementary School. • Volunteer Training Section: Volunteers were trained in fireground communications and Pak radio operations. Company 5 Delta, acquired a brush truck from the mechanic's base yard that had sat unused for years. They made multiple repairs to get it back into working order. They assisted with three structure fires within the last month. Chair Kosaki wanted to know the training division's plan. He sees they had a drill at Station 3, he asked if they plan to conduct drills at all stations monthly. Chief Moller explained it's a work in progress, they're working on developing a program. Chair Kosaki asked if they will oversee all the training throughout the department and track required certifications. Chief Moller explained that's one of the reasons for the Professional Trainee position, to handle that. The Training Division also has a Clerk III and they still handle the physicals through the training division. They're hopeful that piece will move over to the Safety Officer, so they can concentrate on the training aspect. Fire Prevention: For the month of March, the Fire Prevention Branch investigated nine structure fires, reviewed a total of 42 plans, conducted five public education presentations, seven complaints were investigated, nineteen fire investigation reports and requests were researched and sent to requestors, and a total of 272 fire prevention inspections, acceptances, and certificates. Logistics, Emergency Communications, and Vehicle Maintenance Section: Six candidates are in training for FCO I (fire communications officers). Chief Moller