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career Captains, Battalion Chiefs and Assistant Fire Chiefs. The average age <br />of the volunteer firefighters is 46 years old. The average call response <br />depends on the company and its location. The services of the volunteer <br />firefighters are without monetary compensation. However, once a year the <br />Fire Department honors them with a small monetary appreciation award. <br />Vice-Chair Brazier asked how many female volunteer firefighters there are. <br />Ms. Noni Sanford replied that 1/8 of the volunteers in East HawaiŠi are female. <br />According to Volunteer Fire Chief Tom Brandt, within the past three months, <br />three females volunteered. <br />Captain Enriques estimated that there are a total of approximately <br />10-15 percent female volunteers. <br />Commissioner Okabe questioned the budget appropriated for the volunteer <br />program. <br />Deputy Chief Wery replied that $78,875 of the budget was designated for the <br />volunteerprogram. <br />CommissionerOkabeaskedwhetherthefundsincludedthemaintenanceof <br />the vehicles and the purchase of uniforms. <br />Volunteer Fire Chief Brandt replied that the awards money was used to buy <br />the volunteer€s shirts. <br />Commissioner Kudlo asked what the prerequisite of a volunteer is. <br />Captain Enriques replied that the volunteer would perform three drills <br />administered by the company or himself. A screening would occur to <br />determine whether the individual is compatible with the crew and qualified to <br />work. Thereafter, a PUC physical would be required. <br />Volunteer Fire Chief Brandt stated that it is also required that the individual <br />possess a valid HawaiŠi drivers license. <br />Once a call out is made, Captain Enriques explained that the driver or the <br />Volunteer Chief would go to the location of the truck, start the truck, wait three <br />minutes for other crew members, and then respond to the scene. Otherwise, <br />crew members may respond to the scene by using their own private vehicles. <br />Commissioner Kudlo asked whether each volunteer was given a pager. <br />Captain Enriques answered that the HCFD cannot afford to outfit each <br />volunteer with a keynote pager. <br />3 <br /> <br />