2026-01-15 Fire Commission Regular Minutes

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Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes January 15, 2026 Page 5 The 54th Recruit Class honored Chief Todd with a joint workout with HPD, and 53 personnel attended a hands-on workshop covering electrical and solar safety. Volunteer Services Section: Four volunteers were added in December, bringing the total to 113. The department continues to utilize the Volunteer Firefighter Assistance Grant and has nearly expended this year's funding. Compliance with required online training remains a challenge due to several factors. Volunteers continue to participate in monthly hands-on training, including equipment operation and driving drills, which are not reflected in the online training report. Fire Prevention Section: December was a busy month due to several high-profile fires, including incidents involving loss of life, highlighting the importance of prevention efforts. Salaries and wages are overspent due to THP, but the section is fully staffed for the first time in some time, with one upcoming retirement anticipated. Prevention staff continued reviewing plans, investigating complaints, conducting public education and fire inspections, and maintaining the EPR property list. Auxiliary Services Section: Salaries and wages are at 60%, and the section is currently fully staffed. In December, 72 orders were processed, with 654 year-to-date orders totaling approximately $274,000 in supplies distributed to the department. Vehicle Maintenance Section: Vehicle Maintenance continues to manage a fleet of 250 vehicles. Year-to-date, 1,338 repairs were completed, including 37 service calls and 11 contracted repairs/tows in December. The section also restored the department's 1947 truck used in Chief Todd's service procession, reflecting both fire service tradition and the department's longstanding connection to the community. Emergency Communication Branch: Salaries and wages are at 29%, including THP. The branch currently has nine full-time Fire Communication Officers and has hired four additional, potentially increasing staffing to 13, depending on retention. Of the four Fire Captain vacancies in dispatch, three have been filled. These captains provide operational expertise and assume command during extended incidents but do not serve as dispatch supervisors. Program objectives include EMD protocol compliance, answering 911 calls within 10 seconds, and tracking call-processing and dispatch times. Discussion included appropriate deployment of ALS and BLS units to ensure ALS resources remain available for higher-level calls. Operations Highlights: Notable incidents included a structure fire in Livingston, a missing diver search at the Yacht Club, a shark bite transport in Ka`alu`alu (with Chopper 2), and multiple structure fires in Nanawale, Puna, and Volcano.