HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN GOEAC 2024/08/06 (2022-2024)Committee on Governmental Operations
and External Affairs
36' Session
Hawaii County Building
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawaii
August 6, 2024
CALL TO The regular meeting of the Committee on Governmental Operations and
ORDER: External Affairs was called to order at 9:01 a.m., in the Council Chambers,
Hilo, by Ms. Susan L. K. Lee Loy, Acting Chair.
POT T. CATJ -
Present: Ms. Susan L. K. Lee Loy, Acting Chair
Ms. Cindy Evans, Chair (via videoconference from Kona)
Ms. Michelle M. Galimba, Member
Ms. Jenn Kagiwada, Member
Ms. Ashley L. Kierkiewiez, Member (came in later)
Ms. Heather L. Kimball, Member
Absent & Excused
STATEMENTS
FRONA T14F
PUBLIC ON
AGENDA ITEMS:
ORDER OF
RESOLUTIONS
Mr. Holeka Goro Inaba, Member
Mr. Matt Kdneali'i-Kleinfelder, Member
Ms. Rebecca Villegas, Member
The Acting Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of
business, Statements from the Public on Agenda Items.
(There were none.)
ACTING CHR. LEE LOY: Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Order of Resolutions, please.
The Acting Chair directed the Council to proceed to the next order of business,
Order of Resolutions.
Res. 573-24: AUTHORIZES THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH
THE STATE OF HAWAI'l AIRPORT RESCUE FIREFIGHTING UNIT (ARFF)
PURSUANT TO HAWAI'l REVISED STATUTES SECTION 46-7, FOR
MUTUAL ASSISTANCE WITH THE HAWAI'l FIRE DEPARTMENT IN A
FIRE EMERGENCY
Seeks to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement to facilitate joint recruit classes
between the Hawaii Fire Department and State Airport Rescue Firefighters and
clarify their roles regarding firefighter recruit training.
Reference: Comm. 961
Intr. by: Ms. Evans (B/R)
GGEAC-36 August 6, 2024
Motion to Approve: Ms. Evans moved to recommend adoption of Res. 573-24.
Seconded by Ms. Galimba.
ACTING CHR. LEE LOY: Ms. Evans, I'll go ahead and let you lead the
discussion. We do have Fire (Department) here in the Hilo Chambers if you have
additional information or questions. Ms. Evans.
MS. EVANS: Yes, please. I had invited and wanted the Fire Department here
because I think it's important when we enter into agreement, that we know a little
more of the details. And so, if the Fire Department could please come up? Thank
you.
Thank you very much. I know our U.S. (United States) Senator Dan Inouye was
very instrumental in trying to stand up a firefighting training at the airport. Now,
I'm assuming this is —am I correct? Is this at the Kona Airport?
(Note: At this time, Battalion Fire Chief Patrick Springer came forward to
address the members of the Committee.)
MR. SPRINGER: Good morning Council Member Evans and Council Members.
My name is BC (Battalion Chief) Patrick Springer, Hawaii Fire Department. So,
to answer your first question, the primary location of training is at our Halhai Fire
Station, Station Number 3, up at the golf course. We do utilize both Kona and
Hilo ARFF (Airport Rescue Firefighting Unit) International Airports for training
as well. But the primary location is here in Hilo at our station.
MS. EVANS: It will be in Hilo, and how long will this agreement be for?
MR. SPRINGER: This agreement, I believe lasts for one year.
MS. EVANS: One year. Is it anticipated that this will be like ongoing?
MR. SPRINGER: That is correct. It's an ongoing partnership, reciprocal
relationship that we have with them. But for me, this is the first year that we're
putting things in writing. So, we want to take it one year at a time. Go and see if
there's any kind of revisions that need to be made at that point in time.
MS. EVANS: Okay, thank you. Thank you very much, I yield.
ACTING CHR. LEE LOY: Thank you Ms. Evans. Let the record reflect,
Council Member Kierkiewicz has joined us. Ms. Kierkiewicz.
MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you, Chair. BC Springer, I just want to take a
moment to thank you for your leadership. I actually got to know Pat when he was
Captain at Central, where my partner is located. And to see you promoted to this
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GOEAC-36 August 6, 2024
leadership role, we are so well -served by you being our Training Chief. So, thank
you.
I also appreciate the intention that's being used here to ensure that our County and
our State personnel are coordinated before any disaster strikes, right? It's very
important that everybody is clear on rules and responsibility. So, thank you for
helping to make all of this happen. I will be supporting the resolution, thanks.
MR. SPRINGER: You're welcome. Thanks.
ACTING CHR. LEE LOY: Thank you, Ms. Kierkiewicz. Anyone else?
Alrighty, seeing none, Mr. Springer, thank you so much for being here. We have
a motion on the floor to forward Resolution 573-24 to the Council with a
favorable recommendation. All those in favor, please say "aye."
Vote on Res. 573-24: The motion to recommend adoption of Res. 573-24 was
(Approved) carried by the following voice vote:
Ayes: Committee Members Evans, Galimba,
Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, Kimball,
and Acting Chair Lee Loy — 6.
Noes: None.
Absent: Committee Members Inaba,
Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, and Villegas — 3.
Excused: None.
ACTING CHR. LEE LOY: Mr. Clerk, any further business? Seeing none, the
Committee on Government Operations and External Affairs is adjourned at
9:06 a.m. Thank you.
ADJOURN- Seeing no further business, Acting Chair Lee Loy adjourned the meeting at
MENT: 9:06 a.m.
Approved:
Ms. Cindy Evans, air
Committee on Governmental Operations
and External Affairs
CE/dt
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(Date)
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