2025-08-28 Fire Commission Minutes

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Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes August 28, 2025 Page 2 • Fiscal: The county has transitioned to a new cloud-based fiscal system, Oracle, which has caused significant reporting issues. Currently, the department has minimal ability to run financial reports or access detailed spending data. • Grants: Chief Todd reported that no new grant applications have been submitted since July 1, though some awards have been received from prior-year applications. The department recently received authorization to apply for $1-2 million in CDBG funding in the coming month. For the 2023 CDBG grant, valued at $600,000, three brush trucks have arrived at Ford and are awaiting upfitting, with delivery expected before the October 9 closeout deadline. The 2024 CDBG grant, which funded a UTV and a brush truck, has been completed and will be removed from the report. Under the 2024 CDBG MIT grant, three brush trucks have been received and are undergoing final outfitting. The trailer is still pending, and the command vehicle remains under review. The 2023 AFG Hazard Zone Training Program is ongoing, and the 2023 VFA grant for two brush trucks is still pending delivery. Supplies under the 2024 VFA grant are continuing to arrive. Regarding the 2025 SAFER grant request of$1.3 million for 12 firefighter positions, no award has been announced, though recent communication from grant reviewers is considered a positive sign. The 2025 AFG grant is funding the rollout of new SCBAs, and the 2025 HMGP post- fire projects, totaling $3 million and $11 million, are under review (a possible reporting error was noted in the report). Additionally, an AFG radio grant was submitted but not listed in the current report, and will be verified. • Human Resources: The department's goal is to maintain a total vacancy rate below 7%. The current vacancy rate is 11%, with 54 out of 520 positions vacant. Vacancies by division are: Fire (15), EMS (9), Communications (16), and Ocean Safety (14). Many of these will be filled in the coming months. Numerous recruitments, promotions, and selections are in progress. • Emergency Operations: Chief Todd reported fire salaries are at 12.89% and OCE at 18.41%. Helicopter salaries are at 2.4% and OCE at 35.51%, reflecting the transition from contracts to employee positions. Deputy Chief Volpe noted that pilot contracts have been signed and are awaiting final approval. Program objectives reported 95% completion of assigned training, 90% completion of daily vehicle checks, an average chute time of 2.13 (goal 1.20), and 99% of reports completed within 10 days. Commissioner Cushnie asked about the contract length, and Chief Todd mentioned they are on 89-day contracts, which are renewable once, before moving to full employment pending union matters. Deputy Chief Volpe provided additional details on the contract process. Total Calls for Calendar Year 2025: For July, there were 87 fire calls, 1,797 EMS calls, and 673 other calls, totaling 2,557. Year-to-date (January through July), there have been 17,904 calls.