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Chief Oliveira replied that it is necessary to wait on the status of the roads before <br />arranging a meeting with the community. <br />Regarding Firefighter recruitment, Chair Bertsch questioned whether there were <br />advantages offered to volunteers who are interested in becoming paid <br />firefighters. He also inquired on incentives offered across the country to <br />volunteers. <br />Chief Oliveira stated that a point system that would offer credit to a volunteer has <br />not been developed or adopted. Currently, the HFD encourages volunteers to <br />emphasize their experience and knowledge during the interview process. <br />According to Chief Oliveira, there are incentives such as real property tax breaks <br />for volunteers. He did share this information with former Director of Finance Bill <br />Takaba who is currently the County of Hawai‘i’s Managing Director. Chief <br />Oliveira will revisit the subject with him. <br />Chair Bertsch suggested that it may be necessary to consider revising the Fire <br />Commission’s agenda items because it limits their discussions. Previously, he <br />discussed with Chief Oliveira toning down the specifics on the agenda in order to <br />broaden the commission’s ability to direct a conversation to another area. <br />Chief Oliveira stated that originally the agenda was created so that topics were <br />specific and clear. He asked that Deputy Corporation Counsel Brilhante confer <br />with the members on whether the agenda may be broadened to allow more <br />subject matter or latitude. <br />Deputy Corporation Counsel Brilhante stated that the reason it is necessary to <br />have a criteria in place is because the Fire Commission meetings are public <br />meetings and under HRS 92F it is required that the public be given notice on the <br />topics that will be discussed. This allows the public the opportunity to attend the <br />meeting and provide public testimony. <br />Chair Bertsch stated that the present agenda is fairly broad yet comprehensive. <br />He asked Deputy Corporation Counsel Brilhante whether this agenda limits the <br />commission from diving into more specifics. <br />Deputy Corporation Counsel Brilhante recommended that the commission <br />consider listing general broad topics such as budget, alternative funding and <br />grants, capital improvements projects, etc. This will allow the discussion to <br />expand further. <br />Commissioner Bowles asked Chief Oliveira if there were other topics that needed <br />to be included. <br />6 <br /> <br />