2014-11-12 Fire Commission Regular Minutes

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Hawaii County Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes November 12, 2014 Page 2 Chief Rosario reported that the three storms and the lava flow have impacted their budget. They are hoping for FEMA reimbursement and without financial assistance, they will be in the red. They have been doing daily helicopter fly-bys over the lava. When their funds are exhausted, Civil Defense will take over the costs. The collective bargaining increases also affected their budget. Vice Chair Moku requested a month-to-month report on the effect of the budget. They submitted a status quo budget and a supplemental budget which included an internal IT staff person, fire captains for four stations, a clerk position, and replacement apparatus and support vehicles. Commissioner De Luz stated that the County Council approves the budget. He doesn't want them to be short-changed. • ALTERNATIVE FUNDING AND GRANTS ➢ FY 2012 Assistance to Fire Fighters Prevention Grant Application: They are still waiting for notification. ➢ FY 2013 CDBG Grant for Waiakea Quint: The apparatus was delivered. The vendor conducted training and additional training will be ongoing. Once training is completed, it will be put in service. ➢ FY 2013 Assistance to Fire Fighters Grant: This is for the driver simulator which needs to be put out to bid. ➢ FY 2014 CDBG Grant for Ka'u Brush Truck: KME was the awardee. They are waiting for notice to proceed. ➢ FY 2014 State Highways Grant: This is for extrication devices. Of all grants applied for, only one was denied. Most of the grants were spearheaded by EMS Captain Jesse Ebersole. ➢ Capital Improvement Projects: They continue to work with DLNR on the Kawailani Fire Station replacement. There have been concerns of flooding in the area, and the project design will provide for flood relief. • HUMAN RESOURCES DIVISION: Internal recruitments within department: They have three temporary Fire Captains positions for the new Pahoa Village Fire Station. • EMERGENCY OPERATIONS DIVISION ➢ Operations: Personnel have done great work with the hurricanes that impacted Puna. HPP volunteers did a really good job in helping out. A fire ground survival training course was conducted. ➢ Special Operations ✓ Hazmat: They continue to work on funding for obsolete equipment.