2016-04-05 Fire Commission Regular Minutes

Home

Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes April 5, 2016 Page 2 done a wonderful job with non -necessary expenses, and he applauds the men and women of the department for their part. They will put in a request at the next budget cycle for the two approved apparatuses that were deleted from the budget. Surplus in salaries and wages cannot be transferred to other accounts. Their budget for overtime and miscellaneous salaries and wages has not been increased over the past decade, although S & W has increased. Emergency Operations Division: In response to inquiries, Chief Rosario reported that they did have an MICT shortage the last two years. This year, MICT is 100% filled, and they don't have issues with excessive overtime. They do not have any spare or roving positions. The only time they have overtime is when someone is on leave. He explained "rank for rank" which requires the employer to replace a ranked officer on leave with a ranked officer (identical). It covers everyone from Battalion Chief and down but does not cover firefighters. It's a bargaining unit agreement. It added about $2 million to their budget. Personnel from the Kailua-Kona station gave a presentation on equipment for land and water rescues. Much of the equipment was donated via the Sayer Foundation. There was display of apparatuses outside of the meeting room. EXECUTIVE SESSION Commissioner St. Ambrogio motioned to meet in executive session to consult with Corporation Counsel on questions and issues pertaining to the commission's powers, duties, privileges, immunities, and liabilities; to consider charges brought against an employee of the Hawaii Fire Department in Complaint HCFC 16-02; to consider sensitive matters relating to public safety pursuant to HRS 92-5 (a) (2) (4) (6) and the Hawaii County Charter Section 13-20 (b). Commissioner Susman seconded and it carried unanimously. Executive session convened at 10:35 a.m. Regular session reconvened at 10:48 a.m. INVESTIGATION OF COMPLAINT HCFC 16-02: Complainant Russell Acantilado requested to be heard in open session. He alleged that an employee mistreated him and roughed him up. Mr. Acantilado came before the commission. His wife and father were present. He asked the commission to explain their unfounded decision in his complaint HCFC 15-02. He has evidence that he was dehydrated, and his CK was high. He was abandoned at the fire department. He filed a complaint with the police department and fire administration. Chair De Luz stated that they didn't have the evidence at the last meeting. Ms. Ng pointed out that in this written complaint, he said he wanted to present additional information on his prior complaint. He submitted written information. Recess was called at 10:54 a.m.to make copies of his documents. The meeting reconvened at 11:10 a.m. The commission reviewed the documents. Mr. Acantilado requested a reconsideration in HCFC 15-01. Ms. Ng stated that his request for a reconsideration will be addressed.