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Hawaii County Fire Commission <br />Minutes of March 18, 2015 <br />Page 2 <br />FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT <br />Chief Rosario highlighted items from his written report: <br />BUDGET STATUS <br />➢ FY 2014/2015: Chief Rosario reported that they are working with the Finance <br />Department on FEMA reimbursements for the Pahoa lava flow expenditures. <br />➢ FY 2015/16: Accountant Melanio reported that they submitted a $45 million <br />budget. They are requesting a 15% increase which is primarily due to collective <br />bargaining increases in salaries and wages. The budget accounts for $15 million <br />from the State for EMS. Their budget hearing is scheduled for April 22 at 1:30 <br />p.m. in the County Council Room. <br />ALTERNATIVE FUNDING AND GRANTS <br />Chief Rosario reported that grant projects continue. They have not received <br />notifications of awards or non -awards. Work on the new Haihai fire station <br />continues. They are looking at improving the HPP and Kea`au fire stations. <br />Assistant Chief Honda reported that architects are working on the design of the new <br />Haihai station. They continue to work with DLNR. <br />PRESENTATION OF KA`IMI, HFD'S ARSON INVESTIGATIVE CANINE <br />BC Perreira presented Ka`imi, an 8 -year old yellow lab who has been working as the <br />fire department's investigative canine since 2008. Ka`imi was funded by a State <br />Farm grant. He is the only arson canine in Hawaii and is available for service where <br />ever there is a need. Ka`imi has worked 200+ fires. Twenty percent of fires are <br />possibly arson related, and they pass the information to the police department. <br />Ka`imi has to be recertified every year. BC Perreira explained and demonstrated <br />how Ka`imi is trained and works. With his assistance, they can find out in minutes if <br />evidence is there. Previously, it would take hours. This past year they did <br />demonstrations at 20 elementary schools. <br />• HUMAN RESOURCES DIVISION <br />➢ Recruitments <br />✓ Open -competitive: A Fire Fighter Recruitment is being conducted. A Fire <br />Equipment Mechanic was hired in February. <br />✓ Internal within department: Three EMS Specialist II promotions were made. <br />A Fire Rescue Specialist assessment was completed, and they are awaiting <br />final scores and recommendations. A Fire Prevention Captain assessment <br />was completed, but no candidate met the minimum score for promotion. <br />Recruitment for BC of Emergency Operations continues. <br />➢ Classification and Pricing: One Water Safety Officer I was reallocated to WSO II. <br />• EMERGENCY OPERATIONS DIVISION <br />➢ Operations <br />