2024-06-25 Fire Commission Minutes

Home

Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes June 25, 2024 Page 2 • Fiscal Branch Report: Deputy Chief Moller reported that the financial outlook for this year is very positive. They have expended about 98-99% of their funds and will not need to request additional funds for salaries and wages. All spending benchmarks have been met, ensuring a fiscally sound status without any issues. Throughout the year, there were adjustments such as increases to the captains' and battalion chiefs' pay and catch-ups for union-negotiated pay raises. • Alternative Funding & Grants: HFD currently has seven brush trucks in the pipeline, in addition to their regular apparatus purchases. Notably, their SAFER grant is being used to fund positions that were established three years ago. They are approximately 91% funded and anticipate that the SAFER funds will be depleted by August 2024. Chair Kosaki noted that much of the budgeted amount has not been spent and asked if the remaining funds would be used or carried over to the next fiscal year. Deputy Chief Moller explained that they expect to meet all their benchmarks this year and utilize the granted funds. Several multi-year projects will have their baseline funding from this year carried over to the next fiscal year, but they do not anticipate a significant amount of money being returned. They have also received last-minute funding for some big purchases. Currently, they are between 98% and 99% of their spending benchmark and are confident they will meet their targets as the final numbers come in this month. • HR Branch Report: Deputy Chief Moller reported that they are working on improving their performance in meeting their goals, focusing on personnel actions. Their main goal is to complete these actions within 30 days, aiming to consistently stay under this timeframe. He also reported the promotion of Fire Captain Stacy Domingo who was promoted to Battalion Chief of Emergency Communications, effective May 1, 2024. Chair Kosaki inquired if there were four promotions for Safety Officer III. Deputy Chief Moller clarified there were three promotions made, with a current open grievance, there was a question regarding seniority and whether seniority affects promotions. Chair Kosaki observed that promotions were being made for WSO III before WSO IV and V, and asked why it wasn't done the other way around. Deputy Chief Moller explained that they will now start promoting from the top down. Initially, WSO III positions opened before the IV and V positions were ready. They have paused the process and will next promote WSO V, followed by WSO IV. Any necessary corrections for WSO III promotions will be addressed. Chair Kosaki noted that someone promoted to WSO III could be subsequently promoted to IV and then V. Deputy Chief Moller acknowledged this and said they are adjusting the process to correct the issue.