2024-08-22 Fire Commission Minutes

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Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes August 22, 2024 Page 2 • Alternative Funding & Grants: Grants are continuing on pace. The first AFG grant yielded a positive result of approximately $500,000. • HR Branch Report: Current internal recruitments are underway for the positions of Fire Captain and Fire Equipment Operator. Assessment center letters have been issued to six candidates for Fire Captain and 16 candidates for Fire Equipment Operator. Interview assessments for Hazmat Materials Specialists are also in progress. The recruitment process for Water Safety Officer (WSO) positions is being re-evaluated due to a grievance regarding the WSO III process. The revised recruitment will take place between September and December, starting with WSO V, IV, and III positions, followed by WSO II and I. Commissioner Cushnie asked for clarification regarding the budget, specifically about equipment purchases and the high percentages. He inquired whether "equipment" covers everything from hoses and appliances to fire trucks. Chief Todd explained that "equipment" generally refers to higher-cost items like extrication tools, ATVs, UTVs, and trucks. Smaller items, such as hoses, fall under the "public safety supply" category. Commissioner Hirakami arrived at 9:17 a.m. Chief Todd reported that the new class of firefighter and EMS recruits began on August 1st. A total of 13 firefighter recruits and one EMS recruit were hired, bringing the department to full staffing on the operational fire side. For the Fire Communication Officer I position, seven candidates were interviewed, but none were selected. Conditional offers were extended for Water Safety Officer I, but the process is currently on hold due to a lack of vacancies until higher-level WSO positions are filled. A request to fill the Professional Trainee I position has been submitted to DHR, and interviews for an account clerk position were conducted, with results pending. • Total Calls for Service: Chief Todd reported 18,170 calls for the calendar year. They received 2,640 calls for service for July. They're estimating around 31,149 total calls for service for the calendar year. • Fire Impacts: In July, there were 22 wildland fire calls, with two fires burning a total of 82 acres. The department has begun utilizing drones for GIS layer mapping, which provides aerial views and real-time information on fire activity and the actual size of the fires. • Emergency Operations: o Battalion 1 (East Hawai`i): There was a drowning at Kehena Beach and another at Leleiwi Beach Park. Additionally, a structure fire occurred in District 18, and a three-acre brush fire was reported on Kamaili Road.