2023-05-25 Fire Commission Minutes

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Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes May 25, 2023 Page 7 etc. They're aiming for summertime, but it might take longer than that. There was a brush fire in Paauilo, and the public information that went out for that event did not meet the public's desire. He explained there's a disconnect between Civil Defense and HFD. He feels more information needs to be put out for the public, but CD doesn't agree. They will be having another public meeting regarding this. He asked for a Public Information Officer position within the Fire Department or within Civil Defense, considering they have all the tools necessary to put out information to the public. Chair Kosaki stated that HFD puts out information on social media occasionally, and he wanted to know the process of that. Chief Todd explained that he usually tells someone to put something out on social media. Chair Kosaki wanted to know the cause of the Hilo mechanical fire. Chief Todd explained that it's currently unknown, he's still waiting for the final report. Other Department Activities (cont.): Chief Todd met with Barbara Geringer, who is with the National Fire Service. There's opportunity there and he's hoping to obtain vehicles and/or funding. They received approval from HFFA to replace their rules and regulations manual. This will be available online, as well as target solutions. When he talks about the fire chief position, there are three areas that he primarily focuses on. One is the politics of it; meeting with the Mayor, finance directors, other directors, and the public and being the face of the department. One-third of the management of the department is the money side of things. Every solution/fix requires money. The last area is project management and this is one area he isn't currently happy with. He's looking to update their process and system to better track everything electronically. Chair Kosaki wanted to know how the USLA stats are submitted annually. Chief Todd stated he was unaware of that and will look into it. Budget: The first reading of the budget went in front of the County Council and has been approved. If nothing happens between now and June when the second reading goes through, these are some of the things they'll be looking at to get done in the upcoming year: Funding to replace uniforms, funding to replace both the tow vehicles for the boats, prevention also got funded to replace some of their vehicles, they received an additional $90,000 to replace 130 beds, funding for jaws of life, money for air lifting bags, funding to make up the difference for the SCBA compressor, $220,000 received to replace exercise equipment, funding was also received to replace the volunteer fire captains' vehicles, RMS software for Ocean Safety will now be funded with their budget instead of the Sayre Foundation, supplemental request for Ocean Safety equipment has been approved; the county is now funding $30,000 a year independent of the junior lifeguard program. The junior lifeguard program received $29,000 to be funded.