2008-02-13 Fire Commission Minutes

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Budget FY 2008/09 Budget: Meeting held on January 7, 2008, with the Department of Finance in order to present the program and supplemental budgets. The budgets are currently being reviewed and considered. The approved items will be presented to the County Council on April 1, 2008, at 1:30 p.m. In the past, Commissioner Bowles participated in the budget process, and the Fire Department appreciates and welcomes his involvement. Commissioner Bowles and Chief Oliveira agreed to meet to discuss the budget. Chief Oliveira stated that he would distribute a handout featuring the component of the proposed and revised strategic plan. The strategic plan needs to be viewed as an important communication, not only for the commission to evaluate the performance of the Fire Chief, but also to set a road map for the members of the Fire Department. It is necessary for the personnel to be aware of and to emphasize the goals and objectives for 2008. Alternative Funding and Grants FEMA FY 2007 Assistance to Fire Fighters Grant: Received official award notification on February 8 for the total grant award of approximately $300,000 to purchase and implement Video Teleconferencing System throughout the department. The VTS will allow the department to deliver internal training and expand on its Fire Science courses; provide continuous information on disaster preparedness, and offer staff meetings, and strategic planning meetings to its personnel. Also, televising the Fire Commission meetings to the stations is being considered. State Department of Transportation-Safe Highways Grant: Will be submitting grant application for OSHA-required reflective vests for paid and volunteer personnel. Statistically, there are a large number of emergency responder fatalities. This grant will allow safety associated with highway operations. Capital Improvement Projects Makalei Fire Station: Still in the design phase. At a previous meeting, Commissioner Kudlo questioned an editorial in the newspaper regarding the County’s cost on the original plan. Although Commissioner Kudlo was not present, Chief Oliveira clarified that the County did not spend $189,000 on the Makalei Fire Station’s original plan and he would reiterate this information to her. To date, all County funds have only been disbursed to the new site and the new plan. Pahoa Fire Station: There may be a possible occupancy delay due to an uncertainty of responsibilities between HELCO and the State’s Department of Transportation with the relocation of utility infrastructures. In order to come to a consensus on how the issue would be resolved in a timely matter, a meeting was held with HELCO, State’s DOT, the County’s 3