Comm No 0005.04 - Testimony - Powers Duties Functions - Fire Commission

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CHAPTER 4 HAWAII FIRE DEPARTMENT Section 7-4.1. Organization. There shall be a Hawaii fire department consisting of a fire chief, a deputy fire chief, a fire commission and the necessary staff. The fire chief shall be the administrative head of the Hawaii fire department and the fire commission its citizen oversight body. Section 7-4.2. Statement of Policy. It is hereby declared to be the purpose of this chapter to establish in the county a system of fire protection and prevention and emergency services which shall be based on qualified and professional leadership and personnel. In order to achieve this purpose, the Hawaii fire department shall be operated in accordance with the following: (a) Standards for recruitment shall be designed to attract into the department persons with high degrees of education, intelligence and personal stability. (b) Promotions and other personnel actions shall be based upon fair and appropriate standards of merit, ability and work performance. (c) Appropriate training shall be provided to the maximum extent possible and practicable. (2010, Prop. 10, secs. 2 and 3.) Section 7-4.3. Fire Chief and Deputy. (a) The fire chief shall be appointed by the fire commission and may be disciplined or removed by the fire commission at its sole discretion. Any motion for removal of the fire chief must contain a statement of reasons, and the commission shall not vote to remove the fire chief unless the fire chief has been given an opportunity to respond to the statement of reasons at a hearing before the commission. (b) The deputy shall be appointed by the fire chief with confirmation of the fire commission and may be removed by the fire chief with the approval of the commission without cause being stated. (c) The fire chief shall have had a minimum of five years of training and experience in fire control, including at least three years of experience in a responsible administrative capacity. (2010, Prop. 10, secs. 2 and 3, and Prop. 15, sec. 3.) Section 7-4.4. Powers, Duties and Functions. The fire chief shall: (a) Perform firefighting and emergency services in order to save lives and property from fires and from emergencies arising on land, on the sea and hazardous terrain. (b) Train, equip, maintain and supervise a force of firefighting and emergency services personnel. (c) Monitor the construction and occupancy standards of buildings for the purposes of fire prevention and life safety. (d) Provide educational programs related to fire prevention and life safety. (e) Appoint the private secretaries to the fire chief and the deputy fire chief. (f) Accommodate the requirements of the fire commission to access any facilities, equipment, activities, reports, documents, and