2024-10-24 Fire Commission Minutes

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Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes October 24, 2024 Page 9 department, he views the evaluation from a different perspective. He serves on the commission as a neutral party. He agreed that it's important to remain objective in reviewing what's presented and making a decision. The evaluation exceeded his expectations, and he expressed that he didn't just want to assign scores from one to five across seven categories, he wanted something more substantial to provide a thorough and complete evaluation. Chief Todd emphasized that one of the responsibilities of the Fire Commissioners is to actively engage beyond just attending meetings and reviewing reports, as there are limited opportunities to fully understand the department's operations. He has no objections to commissioners shadowing him for a day, as he values transparency and welcomes them to reach out and schedule a visit. This would allow them to gain a deeper understanding of his work and have discussions on various issues. He encouraged all commission members to take advantage of this opportunity, as it would be beneficial for their assessments. Commissioner Perrin expressed that after attending several meetings, he has witnessed the chief handle all questions with thorough answers, and if he doesn't have an immediate response, he ensures to follow up. He praised the chief for his exceptional work. He acknowledged the challenges of the role and the progress Chief Todd has achieved. Commissioner Magsalin shared a personal experience when she was new to the commission. Chief Todd reached out to her during a major fire in Paauilo, located in her district. She met him at the scene, where he gave her a tour of the incident command and the affected area. She expressed how much she learned about her community and was grateful for the chief's efforts to involve her. Chair Kosaki explained that he joined the Fire Commission because in the past, there were commissioners without fire experience, which was frustrating. Attending meetings and knowing what was happening behind the scenes in the department, he often wondered how others couldn't see the issues (he clarified that he's not referring to the current chief, but previous chiefs). His goal in being on the commission isn't to criticize or be negative, but to support the chief and the department. Ultimately, his focus is on the safety of both responders and the community. He emphasized that the questions he asks are not meant to harm the chief but to gather input from the personnel, weigh whether concerns are valid, and address those that could impact safety. He acknowledged that no one is perfect, and everyone has room for growth. While he agrees with the commissioners that the chief has accomplished many positive things, there are challenges as well. Commissioner Hirakami expressed appreciation for having experienced firefighters on the commission. He noted that their questions to the chief provide valuable insights into existing issues, helping to educate the commission, and he is grateful for their expertise.