Laserfiche WebLink
Chief Oliveira answered that it would be a unified decision between the <br />State€s Department of Transportation, the HawaiŒi County Fire Department <br />(HCFD), the Department of Public Works and the engineering personnel. <br /> Fire Administration & Support Facility: Projects Manager Nick AhYo <br />· <br />continues to collect data regarding the staff€s needs and the State€s <br />requirements. Mr. AhYo consulted the County€s Ocean Safety Division <br />regarding incorporating the lifeguards into the Fire Department. The Fire <br />Department supports and plans for a merge sometime in the future. <br />Commissioner Browne questioned if the lifeguards would be sworn <br />employees. <br />Chief Oliveira stated that these issues are being addressed with the <br />Department of Parks and Recreation€s Ocean Safety Division, and with <br />thelifeguard€sunion.Theseissuesincludetheswearinginofthe <br />employees, their training, the parameters involved, and their career <br />advancement opportunities. It will be necessary to change the <br />organizational structure of the Fire Department when incorporating the <br />lifeguards. <br />Chief Oliveira stated that the project is being spearheaded by West <br />HawaiŒi€s Ocean Safety Division Captain Chris Stelfox. He is putting <br />together a strategic plan for that section of their department. Their <br />discussions have included resource needs, organizational structure, and a <br />consideration to change the job specification and classification. <br />Commissioner Browne commented that the level of service would <br />increase once the lifeguards are incorporated. <br />Chief Oliveira stated that the Fire Department wants to proceed with this <br />cautiously. He advised the Ocean Safety Division that the merge would <br />not be an answer to their budget woes. Although the Ocean Safety <br />Lifeguards would be incorporated into the Fire Department, it is necessary <br />to distribute funds to all the required sections of its department. <br />Commissioner Browne asked when the merge would be initiated. <br />Chief Oliveira stated that because the HCFD has recently put into effect <br />the reorganization of its department, they informed the County Council <br />that their goal with incorporating the lifeguards would take approximately <br />two ƒ three years. <br />3 <br /> <br />