HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 333 Draft 02 2022-2024
A RESOLUTION STRONGLY URGING THE OFFICE OF THE MAYOR TO INCREASE CAPACITY AND FUNDING FOR THE HAWAI‘I FIRE DEPARTMENT TO PROACTIVELY MITIGATE THE POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF WILDFIRES.
WHEREAS, the Hawai‘i Fire Department (hereinafter referred to as “HFD”) plays a crucial role in protecting the lives and property of our residents and visitors; and
WHEREAS, HFD’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 Hawai‘i 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 HAWAI‘I that it strongly urges the Office of the Mayor to increase capacity and funding for the Hawai‘i 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 Hawai‘i County’s annual budgets to ensure that HFD
is equipped to carry out its mission effectively.
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 Hawaiʻi 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 _____________, Hawai‘i, this ______ day of ___________________, 20___.
INTRODUCED BY:
_______________________________________
COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I
COUNTY COUNCIL
County of Hawai‘i
Hilo, Hawai‘i
ROLL CALL VOTE
AYES
NOES
ABS
EX
EVANS
GALIMBA
I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by
the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the
County of Hawai‘i on _____________________________________.
INABA
KAGIWADA
KĀNEALI‘I-KLEINFELDER
KIERKIEWICZ
ATTEST:
KIMBALL
LEE LOY
VILLEGAS
Reference:
COUNTY CLERK CHAIRPERSON & PRESIDING OFFICER
RESOLUTION NO.