2004-07-14 Fire Commission Minutes

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Capital Improvement Projects Puna Public Safety Complex: No new updates · Pahoa Fire Station: Right of access has been received for the Pahoa Property. · Captain AhYo is working on identifying the consultant/architect for the project. Fire Administration: Captain AhYo is doing research on two potential properties · located at Komohana/Mohouli and Komohana/Kumukoa. Identifying the infrastructure needs such as power, water, sewer line, and the costs associated with both properties will narrow the selection. This will allow the HFD to make a recommendation to the Mayor and acquire State land. Promotions & Hiring Recruit class will start on August 2, 2004 with 20 candidates. · 18 candidates have accepted formal offers of employment. Medical screening continues for two. Interviews will be conducted on July 15, 2004 to fill a dispatcher vacancy. · Operations Division Helicopter crash occurred on July 8, 2004 at Paauilo between Waikaalulu and · Kukuipapa Road. There were six patients that were transported to North Hawaii Community Hospital. They were in stable condition. Seven of HFD's our units responded. Barge incident occurred on July 4, 2004 due to flange leak, pump failure and fire · on the deck of the barge. The pump was shut off and the fire was put out. This was the most significant incident like this that occurred in the State. Investigation is on going with the Coast Guard regarding what caused the fire. HFD wants to do maritime fire fighting. HFD personnel need to become more familiar with the barges. No planning has been done on fuel hauling with freight barges. Smith- Maritime is a big company and HFD is hopeful to negotiate a partnership with them to sponsor training. HFD is pleased with their personnel, but frustrated with the lack of support from the barge staff. In the petroleum industry employee's come from foreign countries and speak little English. An inspection on deck of the barge was done. There were openings that personnel could have fallen into. The tug remained hooked up to the barge but was just moving. These issues could be addressed in pre-planning. There must be better coordination and communication. Everyone was driven to put the fire out. No one was willing to make a statement to evacuate the area. Evacuation decisions need to be determined early. Someone needs to make this decision even if public complains later. Dealing with complaints rather than fatalities would be better. Commissioner Bowles asked if this kind of incident is normal. Chief Oliveira stated that once the boat is tied to the dock, it is the responsibility of the harbormaster. If the boat is safe, the Coast Guard needs to inspect and 6