2012-07-11 Fire Commission Minutes

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HawaiÒi County Fire Commission Minutes of July 11, 2012 Page 5 Tom Brandt, Volunteer Fire Chief, reported that their next meeting will be on August 18 at 10:00 a.m. at the Kaiminani station (7 Bravo). This will also be his last day as Volunteer Chief. Volunteer Captain Wayne Krug and former Fire Commissioner John Bertsch are nominees for his replacement. Voting will be done by the volunteer captains. Chief Brandt further reported that their training has been pretty much hands-on. The challenge has been to incorporate the Fire Fighter I training program. It was a two-year process for them, and they completed it about a year ago. Ron Ebert, Volunteer Fire Captain from Pahala, reported that the brush fire in Pahala was big and driven by the wind. They lost no structures or lives. It was a huge fire, and coordination worked well. Everyone worked well, be proud of the Fire Department. Chair Taniguchi stated that often times they forget to be grateful. On behalf of the commission, he commended them all for the time and dedication that they put into the craft that they do. As a private citizen, he thanked them very much. Captain Ebert further stated that 5,600 acres burned. You donÓt know how tired a person gets from fire fighting. From the first morning, they had some people from Volcano, three to four from Discovery Harbor, and three from Pahala were there at various times. Some people helped the career fire fighters. Chair Taniguchi Toby asked for the list of captains so they could thank them individually. Chief Rosario will give it to him. Chief Brandt stated that that they do their monthly training so they know protocol and do not panic. Chief Rosario thanked the volunteers. Chief Rosario reported that they had an after action review. They had to evacuate the hospital. The StateÓs point of contact came out of Hilo Medical Center, and that person was out on leave. The winds were definitely in their favor. Everyone did a great job. The bottom line is that there was no life or major property loss, although the landowners may have a different view about the loss. Prevention Bureau: Chief Rosario reported that he was in the GovernorÓs office the day before, and the State-wide ban on luminary devices was signed. HawaiÒi County already has a ban on this. Maintenance Shop: The received their two tankers and fire apparatus from the Honolulu Fire Department. They are in the process of getting them licensed. They will be involving the volunteer division as well as augmenting their career