2024-04-30 Fire Commission Minutes

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Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes April 30, 2024 Page 2 and wages stand at 77.05%, slightly below their target of 79.17%. OCE expenses are at 82.68%, aligning with their planned expenditure. Regarding equipment expenditures, 61.98% has been utilized, although some funds remain unspent due to pending deliveries of procured items. Chief Todd provided an update on the financial status, mentioning that grants & misc are currently lower due to pending purchases and some unexpended salaries and wages. EMS salaries and wages are on track at 77.10%, while OCE is lower at 65.54%. He highlighted that the EMS line item (6227) is fully covered by the State. Ocean Safety salaries and wages stand at 58.41% due to vacancies. OCE is 72%, while equipment expenditure is 37.30%, with a relatively small allocation of about $400,000. Pending deliveries of towers and other equipment. Chair Kosaki sought clarification regarding Ocean Safety equipment funding, noting it as a one-time allocation for the fiscal year, not an ongoing provision. Chief Todd informed that HFD receives approximately $200,000 annually from the State, previously, the State hadn't provided funding for Kua Bay and Hapuna Beach. He recounted his advocacy efforts at the legislature, mentioning a year when the State didn't allocate any funds, necessitating County funding for a year during the pandemic-related beach closures. This prompted his lobbying at the legislature, resulting in the addition of$200,000 annually for equipment. Chief Todd reflected that the current funding situation is an improvement from previous years. Chair Kosaki asked whether the report exclusively reflects the County budget. Chief Todd clarified that the report encompasses both County and State allocations. Commissioner Mattos inquired if the procedure remained the same as in previous years, where unutilized funds go to the County's general fund. Chief Todd confirmed, and explained that any unencumbered funds would return to the County's general fund. Chief Todd provided an update on the SAFER Grant, stating that HFD has currently expended approximately 84% of its allocation and anticipates exhausting the funding by August. He mentioned that next year's budget has accounted for this, and most of those positions are now funded through the standard process. • HR Branch Report: Chief Todd reported on internal recruitments within the department. Interviews for the Battalion Chief (Emergency Communications) were concluded, resulting in the promotion of Stacy Domingo. The Fire Captain position, which opened on March 3, 2024, closed on March 12, 2024. The Department of Human Resources referred 24 names, and the selection process is underway. For the Fire Equipment Operator position, 21 candidates passed the written exam. The Fire/Hazardous Materials Specialist exam took place on March 28, 2024. The WSO V position opened on March 31 , 2024, and closed on April 9, 2024. Chief Todd also discussed ongoing open-competitive recruitment efforts, including the addition of five