State of Hawai'i County 2005 Year in Review/2006 Looking Forward

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State of the County 2005 - The Year in Review 2006 - Looking Forward: Projects and Issues Fire Darryl Oliveira, Fire Chief The following are some of the significant program highlights during 2005. Recruitment. Successfully completed the recruitment and hiring of 38 fire fighter recruits. By maintaining our aggressive recruitment and hiring plan, it is expected that all current and anticipated vacancies will be filled by early 2007. The department has hired a record 205 fire fighter recruits over a period of nearly four years. Grant funding. Federal and state grants totaling over$750,000 were obtained to purchase: • live burn fire trailer, to support delivery of hands on live fire training to personnel around the island including our partner agencies; • vehicle emission control systems for all fire stations to improve the working conditions for employees and minimize the exposure to vehicle emissions; and • spinal immobilization boards to be utilized to provide emergency care associated with trauma incidents as well as to create an equipment exchange program in partnership with the water safety officers at beaches. In addition, the federal Office of Domestic Preparedness provided funding for two replacement rescue boats and five utility vehicles that are scheduled for delivery in early 2006. Also funded by ODP and received during the year was a hazardous material response vehicle for West Hawai'i and two command vehicles. Fire Science program. A partnership was established with the Honolulu Community College and Hawai'i Community College to re-establish a Fire Science program on the island of Hawai'i. It is hoped that this partnership will continue to develop and expand to eventually offer a full course line up and an associate degree program. New Kalaoa Fire Station. Presently efforts are being focused on identifying the feasibility of remaining with the original planned site versus considering alternatives that will support the establishment of a sustainable and effective facility. The goal is to establish a new facility that will meet current as well as projected service delivery needs for fire protection, hazardous materials response, and emergency medical services. Dispatch. Successfully recruited and hired new Fire Radio Dispatchers to fill existing and created vacancies to improve operational effectiveness.