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Commissioner Bowles questioned the timeline of the purchase. <br />Chief Oliveira stated that it would take approximately a year for construction <br />and delivery. <br />Chair Bertsch inquired on whether the aircraft was custom built. <br />Chief Oliveira replied that the Fire Department requires specific needs in the <br />aircraft such as the avionics, configuration, etc. <br />Chair Bertsch questioned whether an assessment was conducted on the <br />retrofit expense of Chopper 1. <br />Chief Oliveira answered that an assessment was conducted and it would cost <br />the County of Hawai‘i approximately $800,000 to retrofit the 28 year-old <br />existing aircraft. <br />Chair Bertsch questioned if there was a possibility to keep Chopper 1 <br />reserved and airworthy as opposed to stripping it for parts. <br />Chief Oliveira replied that aircrafts cost more to maintain if they are not in <br />operation. In addition, the department does not have the pilot staff or the <br />maintenance cost to keep the aircraft as a reserve. <br />Commissioner Kaoiwi inquired on the number of pilots employed. <br />Chief Oliveira stated that the pilots are contracted through a private vendor <br />called Rotor Wing. There are three pilots assigned to Chopper 1 in East <br />Hawai‘i and four pilots assigned to the aircraft in South Kohala. <br />Alternative Funding and Grants <br /> FEMA FY 2007 Assistance to Fire Fighters Grant: (Video <br />Teleconferencing Equipment) Installing and testing equipment. Expecting <br />to have the equipment up and running by the end of the month. <br /> FEMA FY 2008 Assistance to Fire Fighters Grant: (Health/Wellness <br />program, total budget is $531,203). Equipment is being delivered. <br />Finalized contract for the diagnostic services in East and West Hawai‘i. <br /> FY 2009 Assistance to Fire Fighters Fire Station Construction: Submitted <br />application for Makalei Fire Station’s construction costs. Grant deadline is <br />July 10, 2009. <br />Chair Bertsch questioned whether other projects were considered. <br />Chief Oliveira replied that the grant is project specific. Also, there is a cap <br />for each type of project. The Department of Public Works Engineer <br />suggested that Central Fire Station’s retrofit project be considered. <br />3 <br /> <br />