Comm No 0001.10 - Response from Chief Rosario - Qualifications for Fire Chief

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Harry Kim Mayor (ountp of 9aihat`i HAWAII FIRE DEPARTMENT 25 Aupuni Street • Suite 2501 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720 (808) 932-2900 • Fax (808) 932-2928 November 30, 2018 TO : DOUGLAS SHIPMAN ADAMS, CHAIR HAWAII COUNTY CHARTER COMMISSION FROM : DARREN J. ROSARIO, FIRE CHIEF SUBJECT : QUALIFICATIONS FOR FIRE CHIEF Darren J. Rosario Fire Chief Lance S. Uchida Deputy Fire Chief Thank you for the opportunity to provide input related to the existing qualifications for a person to be appointed as Fire Chief Currently, an applicant would need only five (5) years of firefighting experience inclusive of at least three years in a responsible administrative capacity among other minimum qualifications. The ranks below Fire Chief in the Hawai`i Fire Department have more stringent minimum qualifications. I would like to provide the following input for consideration as minimum qualifications to better align potential candidates with requirements of subordinate members of our department. 1. Consider eliminating the residency requirement a. Current residency requirement may limit the pool size of candidates should department members not seek the position. I. Local knowledge of the area and hazards are a great asset that can be incorporated into the preferred skill sets identified by the Fire Commission. II. Emergency Medical Services Mobile Intensive Care Technician licensure or Emergency Medical Technician certification can be incorporated into the preferred skill sets as well. III. Preferred skill sets is an approved tool that the Fire Commission can utilize when screening all applicants without being part of the minimum qualifications set by the Charter. 2. Shall possess a valid State of Hawai`i driver's license, Class 3 minimum. a. Minimum requirement for entry into the department 3. A combination of education and experience substantially equivalent to: a. Graduation from an accredited college or university, and b. 12 years of fire service experience of which 10 years must have been cumulative experience as a Fire Captain or higher in the Hawai`i Fire Department or a fire service department of equivalent size, or Hawai'i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. Comm. No. 1.10