2025-10-23 Fire Commission Minutes

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Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes October 23, 2025 Page 5 o Aviation: Chopper 1 flew 34 hours; Chopper 2 flew 22.8 hours. 51.1 hours were dedicated to brush fires. A rescue was performed at Black Sands. Flights were also used for training, maintenance, and a DLNR shark survey. o Aviation Q&A: Commissioner Cushnie noted zero flight hours for EMS. Deputy Chief Volpe confirmed this but stated Chopper 2 protocols (135 compliant) have not changed, and it is still dispatched to medical calls. He noted only one EMS transport occurred this year (while non-135 compliant, which required a letter to the FAA) and acknowledged they could provide better data. Regarding the bus incident, Chief Todd stated injuries were mostly minor, and he was unsure if a chopper was dispatched, but he could check. o Notable Rescues: Company 7 responded to and towed a boat in distress. • Ocean Safety: The Rescue Watercraft Operator (RWCO) training memo was sent, and the policy is being worked on for USLA approval. • Volunteers: 1-A assisted with the Ka'ala fire. 5-C (Fern Acres) is now 19-B. Ron Ebert (11-A, Na'alehu), a volunteer for 24+ years, is retiring. Other companies completed training and responded to incidents. • Fire Prevention: Participated in several health fairs and community events. Captain Goo spoke at the National Association of State Foresters 2025 Annual Meeting. • Safety Program: Work continues on COOP (postponed), NFPA ladder testing procurement, OSHA two-in/two-out policy, a hazardous/vacant building procedure (Code-H), the Boiling Pots dive training after action review, and the respiratory protection program. The Safety Specialist visited Maui's fire department. HIOSH identified a malfunctioning switch on an air compressor at Station 10. Mold testing is ongoing. A joint safety committee meeting was held with H FFA. • Chief's Engagements: Chief Todd was a guest speaker at the Hawai'i State Association of Counties (HSAC) Conference on wildfire resilience and at a UH Hilo "Kuleana and Community Talk Stories" series on fire safety and disaster preparedness. (Recess was called at 10.32 a.m. and the meeting reconvened at 10.45 a.m.)