2012-11-14 Fire Commission Regular Minutes

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Hawai‘i County Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes November 14, 2012 Page 4 Prevention Bureau: They delivered about 17,500 guides to keikis on the Big Island. They do this every year. They went out to inspect homes of the elderly. A grant allowed them to inspect 43 residences. They put in 201 smoke detectors. A big part of the fire department is prevention. They installed a smoke detector in the home of an 80-year old couple. That night the detector sounded due to a kitchen fire. Dispatch: The SolarCom Communication System was in place. However, it did not meet the requirements of the Fire and Police Departments, and they had to go to the next vendor. Auxiliary Services/Warehouse: They continue to receive equipment for the three new trucks, and are moving equipment to the new Makalei station. Makalei has five personnel assigned per shift. It’s a fire and hazmat company. The station was designed to hold as many as 15 personnel per shift. It is designed to hold 2- 3 companies if needed. If the State allows it, they would be able to have two medics. The Makalei station was designed for growth. Maintenance Shop: The mechanic’s computer connectivity has not yet been resolved. NEW PROJECTS/BUSINESS: The Hawai‘i County Fire Department will host the State’s Hawai‘i Fire Chief’s Conference in November 2013. It is the premier conference in which the country’s top educational people will be in attendance. 2012/2013 CDBG Update: They put in proposal for two trucks, a quint and a brush truck, and just got word that the Mayor accepted the proposal. The quint is a ladder truck with full pumping capabilities. They are looking for a 75 ft. ladder to support the multi-story buildings in Hilo. It will be a new apparatus for the Waiakea station. The county generally will go with the low bidder if it meets the specifications. The truck will be designed for the needs of the station and will replace the fire truck that’s there. Currently, only lower Puna, Ka’u, and Keaukaha fit the income criteria for this CDBG grant. It’s a grant that comes from HUD (housing and urban development). SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION Volunteer Bureau: Volunteer Fire Chief Wayne Krug reported that their October 13 Fire Prevention Demonstration was probably their best. They had two teams on the bucket brigade. All went well with the tsunami warning. The Laupahoehoe siren did not go off. They did a joint drill in Honoka‘a. They will have a fire captain’s meeting this Saturday at the Miloli’i Community Center. Chief Honda will attend in place of Chief Rosario.