HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0273.007 1996-1998 a',yS~ ~"4,y Nelson M. Tsuji
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FIRE DEPARTMENT
777 Kila uoa Avonuc ~ Ma1L Lanc, Koom 6 ~ Hilo, H ~wau 9b RU 4239
(SUES) 9e1-8297 ~ Nu (SOS) 961-8296
June 9, 1997
Members of the County Council
County of Hawaii
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, HI 96720
Dear Council Members:
The attached information is in regards to Bill 78 (Draft 5). I
vehemently feel an increase in the present Fire Chief's and
Deputy's salaries is justified. Prior to this Administration, the
Hawaii County Fire Department consisted of thirteen 24-hour fire
stations. Presently, there are seventeen 24-hour fire stations
protecting the residents and visitors of Hawaii County. In
addition, partnering with the rural communities, seventeen
volunteer fire stations are strategically located throughout the
vast Island. Eight of these were either established or reactivated
within the past four years.
Both 24-hour fire stations and volunteer fire stations have
continued uninterrupted during these depressed economic conditions
by applying for and receiving Community Development Block Grant
funds for fire stations, apparatus and equipment provided to
Pepeekeo, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Pahala, Laupahoehoe and Hawaiian
Ocean View Estates.
Working closely with the State Forestry Division, apparatus were
also obtained from the National Forestry Division.
I believe this Department has progressed tremendously because of
the dedication of every member of the Hawaii County Fire
Department, and we will continue to live up to our mission
statement.
Sincerely,
N f
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HAWAII COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT'S MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
January, 1993 - Present
Jan., 1993 - Certified and established volunteer fire station in
Hawaiian Acres.
Mar., 1993 - Formation of the Hawaii County Volunteer Fire
Chiefs Association.
Apr., 1993 - Certified and established Waa Waa Volunteer Fire
Station.
- Established 24-hour Emergency Medical Services at
Waikoloa.
June, 1993 - Through the coordinated efforts of HCFD and the
Volunteer Fire Fighters, Senate Bill (S.B.) 191 was
signed by Governor J. Waihee (see attachment).
July, 1993 - Dedicated Laupahoehoe Fire Station to 24-hour
service.
Nov., 1993 - Certified and dedicated Volcano Volunteer Fire
Fighters and station.
1993 - Established Wildland Fire Task Force.
Mar., 1994 - Established incentive for Volunteer Fire Fighters
by sending two per year to Emmitsburg, Maryland, to
the National Fire Academy.
July, 1994 - Began aeromedical service from South Kohala Fire
Station.
- Increased the HCFD Training Division by
establishing a Battalion Chief position for West
Hawaii.
1994 - Completely revised Hawaii County Fire Department
Natural Disaster Emergency Procedures.
- Emergency Medical Dispatching (EMD) and pre-arrival
instructions.
- Completely revised HCFD Rules and Regulations and
Procedures Manual.
July, 1995 - Established 24-hour fire protection for Hawaiian
Paradise Park.
1995 - Random drug testing for fire suppression personnel.
HAWAII COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT'S MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
January, 1993 - Present
Page 2
- Established Hazardous Materials Response Teams for
East and West Hawaii.
- Implementation of the first phase of the EMS Career
ladder (Medical Director) upgrades for the EMS
Coordinator and Assistant positions.
- The formation of the EMS Quality Improvement
Program and Committee.
- A dedicated functional Blood Borne Pathogen
Program.
- Hepatitis B vaccination program for County
employees.
Jan., 1996 - Creation of a Critical Incident Stress Management
Program. Services extended to agencies partnering
with HCFD.
1996 - Upgrade Hawaiian Paradise Park to 24-hour station.
- Construction started for Keauhou Fire Station.
- Construction started for Pepeekeo Volunteer
Station.
- Bids submitted for Waikoloa Fire Station.
- Completed HCFD Wildland Protocols and Fire Fighting
Guide.
Jan. 25,
1997 - Dedication and blessing of Pepeekeo Volunteer Fire
Station.
Apr. 2,
1997 - Dedication and blessing of Keauhou Fire Station.
Apr. 24,
1997 - Ground-breaking ceremony for Waikoloa Fire Station.
1997 - First HAZMAT apparatus purchased and assigned to
Kaumana Fire Station.
FIRE DEPARTMENT'S VISION NEXT 4 YEARS
Restructure the Fire Department's table of organization into two-
battalion format.
Establish a permanent Fire Department training facility.
Obtain increased funding for 24-hour aeromedical response instead
of only 12 hours.
Establishment of Kaupulehu Volunteer fire Station.
Obtain Hazardous Materials Vehicle for West Hawaii.
Obtain funding for Advance Life Support unit at Keauhou Fire
Station.
Elevate Waikoloa Fire Station from Basic Life Support to Advance
Life Support.
Purchase ladder truck for East Hawaii.
Unified dispatching with Hawaii Police Department.
Advance Life Support for Pahala Fire Station.
Continue lobbying efforts to obtain funding for automatic external
defibrillators for all fire engines.
Emergency Medical Service career ladder in place.
BENEFICIAL EFFECTS OF S.B. 191
Since June, 1993, the services for fire protection have greatly improved,
especially in the rural communities where the Volunteer Fire Fighters have
been certified and meet the criteria set by the Hawaii Insurance Bureau.
This amounts to faster fire response and more efficient fire suppression
evolution.
In addition, a tremendous reduction in fire insurance premiums (see
attachment).
Present Former
Protection Class Protection Class
w/in 1000' of/over 1000' of
fire hydrant
Discovery Harbour 6/9 10
Fern Forest 9 10
Hawaiian Acres 9 10
Hawaiian Paradise Park 5/9 10
Holualoa 5/9 6/9
Honokaa 5/9 6/9
Honokohau 5/9 6/9
Honomu 5/9 10
Kailua 5/9 6/9
Keaau 5/9 7/9
Kurtistown 5/9 7/9
Laupahoehoe 7/9 10
Napoopoo 6/9 10
Pahala 6/9 10
Pahoa 5/9 6/9
Papaikou 7/9 10
Papaaloa 7/9 10
Pepeekeo 7/9 10
Waimea 5/9 6/9