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Hawaii Fire Commission <br /> Regular Session Minutes <br /> February 26, 2026 <br /> Page 3 <br /> Chief Volpe reported on grants. The department applied for more than $7 million in <br /> grant funding during the fiscal year, exceeding its target for grant applications. <br /> Approximately $2.6 million in grant awards have been received so far. <br /> Human Resources: Chief Volpe reported on upcoming assessment and recruitment <br /> efforts. He shared that the overall vacancy rate is about 8%, which is below the yearly <br /> goal. There are three vacancies in administrative and support positions, about a 15% <br /> vacancy rate on the fire side, and about 8% on the EMS side. He explained that the <br /> difference is due to funding sources, with fire positions funded by the county and EMS <br /> positions funded through state funds that pass through the county via grants. <br /> There was discussion regarding PPE. Chief Volpe reported that the Department <br /> received a federal grant for PPE extractors and drying racks; installation has been <br /> challenging, but five stations are now equipped, with a goal of 20. <br /> He also reported staffing updates in dispatch, noting ongoing recruitment challenges <br /> and a national shortage. Current staffing levels were discussed and clarified, with <br /> acknowledgment that vacancy reporting could be improved by including percentages. <br /> Chief Volpe further reported on HR process improvements, including faster response <br /> times, expansion to four HR positions, and efforts to reduce internal investigation <br /> timelines, with the use of external investigators as needed. <br /> Emergency Operations: Chief Volpe reported salaries and wages, and OCE are above <br /> target due to temporary COVID-19 hazard pay being charged to the department budget. <br /> He stated the department is working with the County Controller to reallocate those <br /> costs. Once corrected, numbers will align. <br /> He also reported on the transition to a digital vehicle check system, which has caused <br /> some under-reporting; checks are still being completed daily. Training completion is at <br /> about 89% (goal 95%), and average turnout time is approximately 2.27, showing <br /> improvement. <br /> For January 2026, total call volume was 2,728, including fire, EMS, and rescue calls. <br /> The Chief also reported on fire activity, property loss, and property saved, and response <br /> times impacted by geography. <br /> Special Operations: Chief Volpe reported on Special Operations, which includes <br /> aviation, rescue, and hazardous materials. He noted improved tracking of funding <br /> across these areas and reported that a new Special Operations Battalion Chief is <br /> overseeing policy development, staffing, and equipment planning. Aircraft uptime in <br /> January was about 97%, exceeding the 90% goal. The department operates two <br /> helicopters and has returned to full Part 135 status, allowing seven-day-a-week <br />