2018-09-12 Fire Commission Regular Minutes

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Hawaii Fire Commission Meeting Minutes September 12, 2018 Page 2 Assistant Chief Robert Perreira of Support Services stated that he will make 25 years in the Fire Department this December. He summarized his years in the department. The best job he ever had was fire inspector working with canine Kaimi who was the first one in the State. Kaimi will probably retire next year. Items from Chief Rosario's written report were highlighted: Budget and Finance: Accountant IV Melanio Lorenzo reported that they are at 22.91 % of budget which includes June's payroll lag. They submitted May's claim to FEMA. The total claim for May's overtime wages and purchase of supplies was $603,000. They approved 50% of their 75%. FEMA has an office in the old Ironworks building, and they have been very supportive. They just submitted about $400,000 of expenditures in June to Finance. The next fiscal year budget kickoff will be on Friday. Chief Rosario stated that every year they are directed to reduce their budget. They have to make cuts but not make cuts in services. One year he told them there were no cuts he could make, and they made the cuts for him. Now, they aggressively go after grants, but they need the support staff to do it. They received grants for stations, apparatus, equipment, and training. For years, the mantra has been do more with less. Overall, the county is not in good shape. The will continue to do their best to serve the county. The shelters in Puna are closing down today. Alternative Funding and Grants ✓ 2018 CDBG: The Paradise Park Wildland Brush Truck bid invitation was posted. ✓ 2018 State Highways Grant: Grants awarded for child protective seats and extrication tools for HOVE, Pahala, and Honoka`a. ✓ Daniel R. Sayre Memorial Foundation: Funding for a brush tanker for Waikoloa/South Kohala was given by a private donor. Assistance was given for extrication tools for Waimea and Waikoloa. • Human Resources Division: Internal recruitments were held for Assistant Fire Chief of Operations and Support Services, Fire/EMS Specialist II, and Human Resources Specialist I. Open recruitment was held for Fire Equipment Mechanic and Fire Radio Dispatcher I. Emergency Operations Division ✓ Battalion 1 had a many wild fires and structure fires. They conducted numerous swift water rescues during Hurricane Lane. There was a lot of property damage in Hamakua and Puna. ✓ Battalion 2 also had a lot of wild fires. A very large fire one on Highway 190 that came within 2 miles of Waikoloa Village took a week to control. A HAZTECH refresher training was held at the Makalei Fire Station. ✓ Special Operations ➢ Hazmat: Captains Kim of Kaumana and Loyola of Makalei will attend the Hazmat Continuing Challenge funded by the LEPC. They are waiting for grant funding to conduct more confined space classes.