2025-09-25 Fire Commission Minutes

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Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes September 25, 2025 Page 3 continues its collaboration with the Hawaii Opioid Initiative and participated in a three-day FEMA-supported enhanced sports and special events incident management training. The branch is also implementing the updated American Heart Association algorithms for CPR in anticipation of upcoming changes. EMS store supply orders for August totaled 68, with approximately $44,000 in sales. • Training Services Branch: Training addressed a possible contamination issue with SCBA bottles. The 54t" recruit class is completing the requirements of FF1 ProBoard certification. Salary and wages are currently at 13.45%, with the goal of 20.83%. Chief Todd stepped out briefly for a meeting, and Deputy Chief Volpe presented the remainder of the Chief's report. • Volunteer Services Section: Salary and wages are at 12.98% with a goal of 20.83%. there was one volunteer added this month, with a total of 112. There's been positive growth. Compliance with online training continues to be a challenge due to limited access to technology, as some stations lack electricity and internet. Efforts are underway to encourage online training where possible and to provide in-person training as a supplement when needed. They've been actively working to maintain at least one spare qualified driver at each volunteer station. • Fire Prevention Section: Salaries and wages are at 19.06%, slightly below the target of 20.83%. They're currently fully staffed. In August, Prevention conducted three inspections, oversaw two public events, reviewed 46 plans, investigated two fires, and handled two complaints. The average plan review time was 10.5 days, meeting the program objective of reviewing plans in less than 14 days, an outcome that benefits the community. Public education goals require a minimum of two sessions per month, and the division met this goal with two sessions in August. • Auxiliary Services Section: Salaries and wages had an adjusted appropriation of $446,000, with $77,000 expended to date. The section is currently staffed, though the lower expenditure may reflect a previous vacancy. A fire maintenance worker was recently hired and has been on the job for approximately one month. In August, a total of 131 orders were processed, with gross products sent to the department totaling $81,000 (year-to-date $134,000). • Vehicle Maintenance: A new fire maintenance worker, Jon Mitsuda, has been hired and has been addressing the backlog of equipment repairs. In August, there were 279 repairs, 42 service calls, and 15 contracted work or tows. An agreement was made with the Department of Environmental Management to store disposal-ready vehicles at the Hilo landfill, helping to free up space at the maintenance shop. • Emergency Communications: The section remains understaffed, with nine dispatchers currently working and four additional hires expected to begin in December. In August, there were 2,627 calls, with an average duration of 185