2024-04-30 Fire Commission Minutes

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Hawai'i Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes April 30, 2024 Page 3 new Fire Communications Officer Is. The final position for Fire Equipment Mechanic was filled. The WSO I position closed on April 9, 2024, with 50 referred names. Regarding firefighter recruits, 36 interviews were conducted, with conditional offers extended to nine candidates. Depending on future vacancies, Chief Todd estimates the possibility of having 10-11 recruits in the next class. While the department applied for the SAFER Grant, Chief Todd expressed doubts about its approval. Chair Kosaki briefed the new commissioners on the SAFER Grant, highlighting its federal funding for staffing purposes. He noted the AFG Grant as the Assistance to Firefighters Grant, designated for equipment and related needs. There was further discussion with Chief Todd who noted that HFD applies for various grants annually. Additionally, he mentioned collaboration with the Sayre Foundation and offered to provide additional details should the commission require them. Commission Hirakami inquired if the SAFER Grant addresses deficiencies. Chair Kosaki clarified that its primary purpose is to enhance staffing levels. He explained that the grant facilitates increasing staffing but with the condition that recipients match the funds provided by the federal government. Chief Todd added that the previous SAFER Grant was fully funded at 100% for three years, and there was no obligation to sustain the funding beyond that period. Essentially, it provided initial support to start it up. Chief Todd shared that he had met with Bobby Lee, during which they both acknowledged the need for more firefighters. There also needs to be a holistic plan for volunteers. While they are aligned on most aspects, they acknowledged that the challenge lies in the details of how they can support each other to achieve their goals. Neither of them wants conflicts, recognizing that there are often miscommunication leading to inaccurate stories circulating. Chief Todd emphasized his commitment to visiting every station, every shift, annually, and making efforts to connect with Ocean Safety and Prevention personnel. He strives to connect with each employee at least once a year. Reflecting on the department's progress, Chief Todd remarked that HFD is currently in a much better position than it has been in a long time, although there's still much work to be done, overall, they're doing a good job. Commissioner Mattos inquired about the volunteers, specifically questioning their budget allocation within the report. He asked whether the funds for HFD's volunteers came from Sayre's or through grants. Chief Todd clarified that there isn't a specific allocation for volunteer funds. Within their budget section, approximately $400,000 is designated, with $200,000 allocated for salaries and wages of two HFFA Captains responsible for volunteer training, while the remainder is generally grant money for the volunteers.