2014-10-08 Fire Commission Regular Minutes

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Hawaii County Fire Commission Minutes of October 8, 2014 Page 3 Recreation was asked to vacate the old fire station for HFD's use. HFD's plan calls for a minimum of 9 firefighters, two fire trucks, a tanker, and medic personnel at the old station. This proposal will cost about $200,000 a month. Commissioner Ignacio, whose husband is a retired fire fighter, said she comes from the (sic) "old school" of servicing the public first and family coming second. She asked if personnel are being prepared for this reality. Chief Rosario stated that at the end of the day, they have a job to do and to make the best decision for both the community and fire service personnel. The bottom line is they need to have their personnel safe. Vice Chair Moku stated that fire fighters and police are like the military, the commander has the authority to send the guys in harms way. Chief Rosario stated that a large majority of personnel know their duty. Chief Rosario further stated that they will have two stations in Pahoa. The old station needs to be fully staffed and equipped. The apparatus that is being replaced will be sent to Pahoa. The Mayor told the community that they will provide the services. Disaster for them is the isolation. They are hoping for FEMA reimbursement. The lava information center is being staffed 8 hours a day. They had positive feedback for the fire ground survival training. ➢ Special Operations ✓ Hazmat: Locations near PGV was identified to deploy the area Rae monitors in the event of an incident. It was noted, a hazmat team got trapped while responding to an incident at PGV during Tropical Storm Iselle due to fallen trees. ✓ Rescue: The Sayre Foundation held their awards dinner and recognized HFD rescue personnel and Ocean Safety WSOs. The community donated closed to $70,000 for equipment and training. ✓ Ocean Safety: They are in the process of replacing five lifeguard towers in Hilo and Puna. They will need an aircraft (helicopter) to install the Honolii tower. The aircraft is located on another island, and needs to be scheduled. SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION ➢ Training Bureau: The Training Bureau and the 43rd recruit class honored those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, by participating in a 9/11 Memorial Run from Hilo Bayfront to the County Building and back to Bayfront. This raised awareness of the terrible events of September 11th, and the importance of "never forgetting." ➢ EMS Bureau: Fourteen personnel attended the volunteer MICT class orientation on September 26 at the EMS Training Center. Two ambulance remounts were shipped to the Braun Northwest Ambulance factory for remounting. This project