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Hawai‘i County Fire Commission <br />Minutes of May 7, 2014 <br />Page 3 <br />work on the fleet replacement schedule. Measures to ensure proper staffing continues. <br />Expanding Ocean Safety was moved up on the priority list, and funding for a pilot <br />program was approved. They worked with State EMS and got their budget increased. <br />A Bill in the Legislature for new ambulances for Puna and Makalei died in committee, <br />but they will resubmit. Funding is the bottom line for expansion of services. They are <br />behind in national standards for staffing of each fire truck. They generally only have two <br />people on the truck. Every year they put in a request for staffing, but are denied. <br />Battalion Chief Uchida reported that he and others went to the Legislature with multiple <br />proposals for additional funding. Remounting of the mobile medic’s box (compartment) <br />resulted in substantial savings, $70,000 less than a brand new unit. Equipment is <br />changed out as needed. <br />HUMAN RESOURCES DIVISION <br /> Labor Relations: Unit 11’s retro-active pay adjustments will be paid on June 15. <br />EMERGENCY OPERATIONS DIVISION <br />Chief Rosario introduced Assistant Chief Gantry Andrade who is now in charge of the <br />Emergency Operations Division. AC Andrade stated that he wants to provide the best <br />service to our community with pride and integrity. <br /> Special Operations <br /> Ocean Safety: They will not be able to place new tower in Honolii due to the <br />inability to navigate the observation tower (over steep terrain) to its proposed <br />resting place. Instead, they will have to upgrade the current tower. HB1024 <br />(affording indemnity coverage to water safety offices) was extended to cover <br />lifeguards for three more years; it is before the Governor for review. They are <br />awaiting the arrival of 5 new surveyor type lifeguard towers for East Hawai‘i. <br />SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION <br />nd <br /> Training Bureau: Graduation for the 42 Fire Fighter Recruit class was held on <br />rd <br />April 12. They plan to start the 43 Fire Fighter Recruit class on June 16. They <br />selected 25 recruits and 2 alternates. <br /> Volunteer Division: Chief Rosario introduced TJ James, Volunteer Fire Captain <br />from Discovery Harbor who is also the interim Volunteer Fire “Commander,” <br />replacing former Commander Wayne Krug. Commander James noted the volunteer <br />division received the donated apparatus from the Avalon, CA fire station, and it is <br />now online at the Laupahoehoe site. <br />Commander James reported that at their last meeting, they had a lot of discussion <br />on the position/title of the Volunteer Fire Chief. There is no documentation on the <br />position. It was decided that the position will now be referred to as “Volunteer <br />Commander”. The volunteer captains will elect the new commander at the next <br />meeting which will be held on August 23 at 10:00 a.m. at his home in Discovery <br /> <br />