HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 333 Draft 02 2022-2024COUNTY OF HAWAII STATE OF HAWAFI
RESOLUTION NO. 33,3 23
(DRAFT 2)
A RESOLUTION STRONGLY URGING THE OFFICE OF THE MAYOR TO
INCREASE CAPACITY AND FUNDING FOR THE HAWAIJ FIRE DEPARTMENT
TO PROACTIVELY MITIGATE THE POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF WILDFIRES.
WHEREAS, the Hawaii Fire Department (hereinafter referred to as '1117D") plays a
crucial role in protecting the lives and property of our residents and visitors; and
WHEREAS, RFD's mission encompasses preventing, mitigating, and responding to
fires, as well as addressing other emergencies such as medical incidents, hazardous materials
situations, and natural disasters; and
WHEREAS, the County of Hawaii has experienced an alarming increase in the number
of wildfires in recent history, and these wildfires have exhibited greater size, intensity, duration,
and destruction, largely attributed to changes in our climate, including prolonged periods of
drought, extreme weather conditions, and accumulation of hazardous fuel sources (see "Exhibit
A" attached hereto); and
WHEREAS, these evolving wildfire patterns pose a significant threat to the health,
safety, and well-being of our community, environment, and economy; and
WHEREAS, "fire seasons" have transformed into entire "fire years" where a year-round
workforce is required for suppression, recovery, and planning for future wildfires; and
WHEREAS, a proactive and comprehensive strategy is essential to preventing wildfires,
including investment in fire prevention measures such as creating firebreaks, conducting
controlled burns, and promoting public awareness and education (see "Exhibit B" attached
hereto); and
WHEREAS, in addition to fire prevention, investments must be made in firefighter
training, apparatus, equipment, and facilities maintenance to ensure that HFD personnel have the
necessary resources to safely and effectively combat fires and respond to emergencies (see
"Exhibit C" attached hereto); and
WHEREAS, the successful recruitment and retention of our HFD career firefighters is of
paramount importance to maintain the highest level of fire protection and emergency response
services for the people of our community, ensuring their continued safety and well-being; and
WHEREAS, a volunteer firefighter program complements our dedicated career
firefighters during emergency situations and must operate in strict adherence to the established
policies, rules, and regulations formulated by HFD to ensure a volunteer's safety as well as
effective and coordinated emergency response services (see "Exhibit D" attached hereto); now,
therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAPI that it
strongly urges the Office of the Mayor to increase capacity and funding for the Hawaii Fire
Department, in order to enhance its ability to prevent, mitigate, and respond to wildfires and
other emergencies.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Office of the Mayor allocate funding and assist
with securing grants for wildfire prevention, to support the development of comprehensive
mitigation strategies such as improving forest and watershed health, and enhancing community
preparedness.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that adequate funding for firefighter training,
apparatus, equipment and facilities maintenance be provided in Hawaii County's annual budgets
to ensure that HFD is equipped to carry out its mission effectively.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a strategic assessment of the volunteer firefighter
program be completed with a subsequent recommendation presented to the County Council
detailing the program's role in fire-risk education and community preparedness, and how the
program can effectively support the Hawai`i Fire Department's mission of providing exceptional,
all-hazards emergency services to residents and visitors.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the County Clerk shall transmit copies of this
resolution to the Honorable Mayor Mitchell D. Roth, the Managing Director, the Director of the
Department of Finance, the Chief of the Hawai`i Fire Department, the Director of the
Department of Research and Development, members of the Hawai`i County Fire Commission,
and the President of the Hawai`i Fire Fighters Association.
Dated at Kona , Hawai`i, this 15th day of November , 2023 •
INTR UC BY
W
CO CIL MEMBE , COUNTY OF HAAI`I
COUNTY COUNCIL ROLL CALL VOTE
County of Hawai`i AYES NOES ABS EX
Hilo, Hawai`i EVANS X
GALIMBA X
I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by INABA X
the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the KAGIWADA X
County of Hawaii on November 15, 2023
KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER X
KIERKIEWICZ X
ATTEST: KIMBALL X
LEE LOY X
VILLEGAS X
7 0 2 0
AA- Reference: C-565.6/GOEAC-83
ITY CERK C7Ple-----,;- (9
ERSON&PRESIDING OFFICER RESOLUTION NO. 333 23.
(DRAFT 2)
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