2012-08-08 Fire Commission Minutes

Home

Hawaii County Fire Commission Meeting Minutes August 8, 2012 Page 2 ➢ FY 2012 Assistance to Fire Firefighters Grant Application: The grant period is now open, and Chief Rosario is working with Battalion Chief Hiyashida on this. Capital Improvement Projects: ✓ Makalei Fire Station: The issue with HELCO concerning an easement has been resolved. Pacific Wireless is waiting for communication equipment. Completion time is expected to be sometime in September. Assistant Chief Honda is working with Public Works Manager Nolan Escalon to keep the project on track. ✓ Ka'u Public Safety Package: The bid has been awarded. The notice to proceed is expected to go out at the end of this week. It is expected to take 40 days to build the volunteer garages. ✓ Hapuna Water Safety Tower: The problem with putting up this tower on the north end of the beach is land ownership. The County cannot put up a tower on land that they do not own. In addition, they need to obtain special permits. Anywhere makai of the shoreline is DLNR (state) ownership. They are working with Deputy Corporation Counsel Brilhante on this matter. • HUMAN RESOURCES DIVISION ➢ Hiring and Promotions: They are currently conducting fire fighter interviews for the September class. 132 people passed the agility test. Out of those, 117 seventeen will be interviewed. About 15 dropped out for various reasons. Out of the remaining candidates, they will hire 18. Note: This number is lower because we were not awarded the SAFER Grant. Promotions for various rank(s) and /or position(s) have been completed. EMERGENCY OPERATIONS DIVISION ➢ Career Division Updates: They are looking forward to the 17th fire fighter recruit class. They are working with Councilman Onishi for a new location of the Kawailani station. Between last week and now, four (4) lifeguard towers in the Four Mile area of Hilo were broken into and items taken. They are looking for better ways to secure the tower, so people cannot reach in and cut the locks. (Commissioner Lee entered at 10:16 a.m.) ➢ Volunteer Division Updates: Upon Chief Rosario Chief's return, they will be requesting a meeting with the Kukio and Four Season's Resort regarding volunteers coming onto and leaving their property. Commissioner Moku will be working with them. Volunteer Chief Tom Brandt stated this was his last meeting as Volunteer Fire Chief. He thanked the commissioners for letting him be their representative, and the go- between the volunteers and commission. It was a good experience for him, and a good opportunity to represent all the volunteer stations on the island. He