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Hawaii Fire Commission <br /> Regular Session Minutes <br /> January 15, 2026 <br /> Page 3 <br /> Facilities, Fleet, and Infrastructure: The department is making progress on long-term <br /> facility goals. Following the last tsunami evacuations, the department had to evacuate <br /> personnel and fleet under repair at the shop. To facilitate this, they partnered with KMR <br /> near Hilo's airport, and an MOU was later developed to maintain the emergency <br /> evacuation plan. The county is planning to relocate the maintenance shop and has <br /> identified property near the current Mass Transit location. For a West Hawaii mechanic <br /> shop, Initial discussions have started with Mass Transit to use part of their warehouse <br /> space, which includes a large PV system for charging electric buses. <br /> Human Resources: The department is currently managing 32 operational vacancies, <br /> which are expected to rise to 38 with the addition of the Makalei ambulance. The current <br /> overall vacancy rate is currently 8%. Volpe highlighted a significant retirement wave <br /> starting in 2028, where 20 to 25 personnel will be eligible for retirement annually for six <br /> years, requiring increased training and the recruitment of two classes per year. There <br /> are 10 active internal investigations, averaging over 120 days. Volpe noted that 2025 <br /> saw a high volume of personnel movement. He reported various promotions, transfers, <br /> and recruitment activities. <br /> Emergency Operations Division: Finance confirmed Temporary Hazard Pay (THP) <br /> funds will come from a county-created fund and will be returned to the department, <br /> helping realign the budget. 65% of assigned training was completed in December, with <br /> a goal of more than 95%. Daily vehicle checks are now tracked digitally for 250 <br /> vehicles, allowing mechanics to prioritize repairs. The average turnout time still exceeds <br /> the 1.20 goal. Report completion is at 97%, with a goal of more than 99%. The <br /> department switched to the national NIRS system for incident reporting. In December, <br /> there were 17 wildland fires totaling 3,909 acres year-to-date, with notable fires on <br /> Mana Road and the Hamakua coast. There were four structure fires, with 78 year-to- <br /> date. For the year, the department prevented approximately $35.7M in damages, and <br /> $1 M in property was lost. <br /> Special Operations: Volpe reported improved financial tracking within Special <br /> Operations, including salaries, wages, overtime, equipment, and OCE for Hazmat, <br /> Rescue, and Aviation. With contract pilots now hired as County of Hawaii Fire <br /> Department employees, the department can more accurately track aviation costs, an <br /> effort Chief Todd had worked toward for years. Aircraft operational uptime exceeded <br /> 90%, reaching 97% in December and 96% year-to-date. Numerous rescue trainings <br /> were completed, with additional sessions scheduled. The Director of Operations <br /> resigned on December 15; a new Director of Operations familiar with the program has <br /> been hired, and Fire 135 compliance has returned to seven days a week. Operational <br /> responses included Chopper 1 and 2 assisting with a Mana Road brush fire flare-up, <br /> Chopper 2 transporting a shark bite patient in Kau, and a body recovery for a missing <br /> diver in Keaukaha. No significant hazmat incidents occurred. Confined space operations <br />