2024-10-24 Fire Commission Minutes

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Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes October 24, 2024 Page 2 fireground level. This training aims to align company officers and provides consistency. • HR Branch Report: HR is meeting its targets for processing actions, including recruitments, promotions, and other personnel activities. Chief Todd reported on recent HR developments, noting promotions, recruitment efforts, and new hires. Roy Henderson has been promoted to Fire Prevention Battalion Chief, and Keenan Parker to Fire Rescue Specialist. The Fire/EMS Specialists I promotion is progressing, with candidates awaiting their Fire/Hazardous Material Specialist interview and assessment center dates. A request has been submitted to fill the position of Supervising Fire Communication Officer. Open competitive recruitments have resulted in filling the Professional Trainee I position, and recruitment has begun for roles such as Fire Fighter Recruits, Fire/EMS Recruits, and Fire Maintenance Worker. Chair Kosaki noted that dispatch wasn't listed among the open recruitments. Chief Todd clarified that they are not actively recruiting for dispatch right now because a class is currently in progress. Chair Kosaki then asked if dispatch operations had returned to central, to which Chief Todd explained that some staff are based at central while others are at the Police Department. The new dispatch center is anticipated to be up and running within the next six months. • Total Calls for Service: Chief Todd reported a projected 31,000 calls for the year. Year to date, Rescue/EMS calls are at 66%, good intent calls at 13%, severe weather at 10%, and a small percentage is fire-related at 3%. • Emergency Operations: o Battalion 1 (East Hawai`i): In Pauka`a, a 72-hour search was conducted after divers spotted a body in the ocean, but no one was located after three days. At Boiling Pots, a search for a missing swimmer concluded with the body being recovered two days later. There was a rescue in Pauka`a, a missing person was found deceased. Additionally, a commercial diesel tanker caught fire in Laupahoehoe, but the fire was extinguished with no injuries or fatalities reported. o Battalion 2 (West Hawai`i): A structure fire occurred on Hua`ai Street, engulfing a 1,700 sq. ft. residence, which was a total loss, there were no injuries or fatalities. • Special Operations: o Haz-Mat: Personnel attended the 2024 Hazmat Continuing Challenge in Sacramento, California. The IFB for the new Hazmat 4 has opened, closed, and been awarded. Specifications for Engines 21, 3, and 6 are nearly finalized and will be submitted to finance for procurement within the next week. Additionally, Engine 14 has been picked up.