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awards program would consist of two types of awards: the outstanding merit award – for <br />citizens who perform excellence and risk their personal safety to help the general public <br />and the certificate of merit given to those people who have not met the requirements of <br />the outstanding merit award. The outstanding merit award recipients will be presented <br />a plaque and invited to the annual Fire Chief’s award dinner. The certificate of merit <br />award recipients will receive a framed certificate and will be presented the award at the <br />HFC meetings. The selection process is made of committee members to determine <br />which award the individuals will receive. The HFC’s responsibility would be to provide <br />final approval of the recommendations. Nomination forms will be sent to each Fire <br />Station. As the HFD goes out to do their calls, they’ll complete the form. <br />Commissioner Matsuda asked who would complete the forms. <br />Dennis Iyo stated that the forms would be completed by the HFD personnel and given <br />to the committee members. <br />Commissioner Whitney asked if the volunteer firefighters would be considered for this <br />program. <br />Dennis Iyo stated that they would not be considered for this particular awards program, <br />however they would be eligible for something separate. For a “lay person” to do an act <br />of bravery, it’s outstanding and they should be recognized. <br />Commissioner Fergerstrom asked about details of the Selection Committee. <br />Dennis Iyo stated that he is the chairperson. Committee members consist of one HFD <br />personnel from East Hawai‘i and one from West Hawai‘i. FEO’s Eric Kunitomo and <br />Keith Laeha are members of this committee. <br />Chief Oliveira stated that this awards program would be sanctioned for HFD only. <br />There was an incident that happened in Honokaa where a young boy discovered a fire <br />at his home. He got his family out of the house and this would be an example of an act <br />of bravery. Chief Oliveira would like to see this program grow. <br />Commissioner Maedo stated that she would prefer it be re-titled “acts of bravery & <br />courage”. <br />Deputy Corporation Counsel Noda stated that she is not sure that this “approval act of <br />the award recipients” is within the scope and duties of the HFC. <br />Commissioner Fergerstrom stated that the wording needs to be worked on; tighten up <br />the form a little bit. The HFC supports this program and will wait for further instruction <br />from the Corporation Counsel’s office. <br />Commissioner Matsuda asked if this would be done every month or quarter. <br />4 <br /> <br />