Board Packet for FC Meeting 1-15-26

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Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes November 20, 2025 Page 3 hiring this year and has developed several metrics to better assess program performance and establish accountability moving forward. • Emergency Operations: Deputy Chief Volpe reported that reporting on OCE equipment requires manual data collection, though salaries and wages data is generally accurate. He noted that as of October, 54% of the salaries and wages budget had been expended, which is higher than expected for that point in the fiscal year. Contributing factors include extended wildfire incidents, including a nearly six-week fire and an additional approximately 10-day fire along Mana Road. Chief Todd explained that the Emergency Operations report reflects 54% expended, with approximately 38% of the fiscal year completed primarily due to COVID-related temporary hazard pay. He stated that this large, unbudgeted lump-sum payment distorts expenditure percentages and will continue to skew the report for the remainder of the year. Once reimbursement is received from and appropriations are adjusted, the figures are expected to align by the end of the year. Chair Kosaki suggested separating salaries and wages from temporary hazard pay in future reports. Chief Todd responded that this is the goal, though the process is currently manual, hazard pay calculations were performed by a third party, and payroll adjustments were handled externally. Deputy Chief Volpe also reported on assigned training completed, daily vehicle checks, tracking data, and average turnout and response times. He noted that the report reflected two acres burned in October; however, this figure will increase with finalized data, with the Mana Road fire totaling approximately 2,100 acres and the Ka`ala fire approximately 560 acres. • Total Calls (Calendar Year 2025): Estimated for the year is 30,841. The monthly number in the report might not be accurate. • Special Operations: Battalion Chief Lono Lindsey introduced Justin Haley, Director of Operations for the department's aviation component. BC Lindsey reported on program objectives, stating that the focus is on maintaining aircraft operational readiness to ensure the department's ability to respond to emergency calls. He noted that he is in the process of reviewing and updating standard operating guidelines and procedures (SOGs and SOPs), working with the union to complete review and approval, acknowledging that the process takes time.