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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 713 Draft 01 2006-2008COUNTY OF HAWAII RESOLUTION NO. STATE OF HAWAII '713 ®8 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE OFFICE OF THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, PURSUANT TO HRS 46-7, FOR THE FY 2008 ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS GRANT FOR THE HAWAII FIRE DEPARTMENT WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, through its FY 2008 Assistance to Firefighters Grant program, has authorized funding to the Hawaii Fire Department; and WHEREAS, along with the County's share, the funds will be used for the establishment of a Firefighter Health & Wellness program involving an extensive individual medical assessment and monitoring program, an education and training program, and the provision exercise and health assessment equipment; and WHEREAS, based on correlations with Hawaii Department of Health statistics, the members of the Hawaii Fire Department are at significantly high risk for Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes and Stroke; and WHEREAS, the Hawaii Fire Department is confident that a formal, mandatory Wellness Fitness Program will be the best way to protect and measure the firefighter's health and well being; and WHEREAS, Hawaii Revised Statutes, Section 46-7, requires that county departments obtain the consent of the council to enter into agreements with the federal or state governments respecting action to be taken pursuant to any of the powers granted by law to furnish, expend, and receive any funds or other assistance in connection with projects being or to be undertaken pursuant to those powers. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII, in accordance with section 46-7, Hawaii Revised Statutes, that the Mayor of the County of Hawaii is authorized to execute, on behalf of the County, an agreement and related documents, to enable the County to use the Assistance to Firefighters grant funds for the establishment of a Firefighter Health & Wellness program involving an extensive individual medical assessment and monitoring program, an education and training program, and the provision exercise and health assessment equipment as mentioned in its narrative statement of its application, attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit "A". BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the County Clerk of the County of Hawaii shall transmit copies of this resolution to the Office of the Mayor, the Finance and Fire Departments. Dated at xona ,Hawaii, this 27th day of Augus:t , 2008. INT DUCED BY: UN^--= COUNCIL MEMBE O T OF HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL County of Hawaii I-lilo, Hawaii I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLU"PION was by the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the County of Hawaii on August 27, 2008 AT"I'EST ROLL CALL VOTE AYES LAOIS ABS EX FORD X HIGH g 1-IOPPMANN g II:rDa x JACOBSON X NAL'OL8 X PILAGO X YAGONC X YOSFIIMO'r0 X 9 0 0 0 eference Y~CLER~IC CHAIRMAN P i ~ RLSOLI C-1360/F'C-307 '713 0 ~ 1TION NO. Narrative Statement Project Descdption `Please indicate which of these Target Capahilitles your request outlined in this application will satisfy. Check all that apply: Responder Safety and Health ' Please provide your naraWe statement In the space provided below. Include in your narrative, details regarding (1) your project's description and budget, (2) your organizaton's flnandal need, (3) the beneftt to be derived from the cost of your project, and (4) how the actNttles requested in your application will help your organization's daily operations and how this grant will protect life and property. PROBLEM STATEMENT Based on correlatlons with Hawaii Department o} Health statistics, the members of the Hawaii Fire Department (HFD) are at slgnlftcanUy high risk for Cardiovascular Disease (CVD), Diabetes and Stroke. Furthermore, at this point such an assertion can only be based on anecdotal evidence because there Is no system in place to identify who and how many of our members are at risk. And even if such at-risk members oould lie Identified, the HFD does not currently have a formal fitness and Injury preventlon program to address their health and fitness concerns. MAIN POINT The HawaB Flre Department is confident that a formal, mandatory Wellness Fitness Program will be the best way to protect and measure our fire ftghters' heahh and well being. Because of our department's Isolatlon and relatively small size, members have to work harder and bnger in very hazardous wnditions that could be leading to health problems that are currently going unidentified. If our members were healthier and filter, they could work safer and harder in all aspects of the job. While our department is certified to NFPA 1001 standards, and our minds and knowledge are up to the task, for many of our members-and as yet we have no way of knowing exactly how many-the body is not. SUPPORTING STATEMENTS 2 weeks of 15-hour days searching In blizzard conditions at a 14,000-foot elevation. Fighting a 30,000-acre brush fire fanned by 50 MPH winds endangering hundreds of homes. Diving along a jagged shoreline in high surf warring conditlons for a missing boy swept into the ocean by a huge wave. These are just a few of the diverse calls that we have recently responded to. Our island Is unlike anywhere in the world, with 11 of the world's 13 climate zones. You would have to travel from Alaska all the way to Costa RICA t0 fled the same number of climate zones found here. Wa have the planets most active volcano forming vast expanses of lava fields so barren and unforgiving that they were used by NASA to simulate the surface of the moon, two mountains over 13,500 feet tall, and 268 miles of rugged coastline. Having only 347 career Fire Fighters to protect these 4,028 square miles is a huge challenge for a department soley responsible for all EMS servkas, search and rescue, HAZMAT, and fire suppression for an area twice the size of the state of Delaware. Add to the mix having to recruit from a general population that has some severe health issues, and the task at times seem insurmountable. If we base our assumptions on the health of the generel population the statistics are frightening: -Hawaii County has the states' highest Cardiovascular Disease mortality rate -Native Hawaiians mortality rate is 50% higher then the state average -Hawaii County has the highest smoking rate in the state -Native Hawaiians are significantly higher at 27.1 - 33% of adults are classified overweight with 18% considered obese -Hawaii County has the highest diabetes rate in the country -Hawaii County has the highest mortality rate for diabetes as cause of death - 30°k higher chance to develop kidney disease - 36% of our fire Hawaii County Fire Fighters are Native Hawaiian EXHIBIT "A" If we look within our department, there were 2 documented heart attacks in members under 40 years old and two cancer cases just within the past year. If a FF does suffer a medical emergency, the highest level of care on most of our island Is Level 3. Most major procedures require transport to another island 250 miles away. Clearly, keeping out of the medical system is the best approach. PROJECT DESCRIPTION After careful consideration and research, the HFD has decided to address the above concerns by implementing, over the rourse of the next 18 months, a formal Wellness/Fitness program. Our Chief and Union have committed to making this program a reality, which will ensure that we can overcome the roadblocks that other deparments have faced to establish a successful long-term program. We are requesting funding for training 25 members to became certified Peer Fitness Trainers, medical screening for all uniformed personnel, a basic fitness equipment set for each of our stations; and 1 assessment center for each side of Hawaii island. - 25 Peer Fitness Trainers $16,875 - 387 Medical Screenings $252,351 - 21 Fitness Equipment $147,651 - 2 Assessment Centers $49,686 - 387 Immunizations $25,173 - Exdse tax and shipping costs for equipment $39,487 HFD will train 25 PFTs because that is the maximum number of members that can be certified for the base price. Having such a large number of PFTs will also enable us to ronduct the majority of assessments while on duty to further reduce costs. To determine our equipment list, equipment was purchased and evaluated by several recruit Basses and incumbents. The fitness equipment was selected based first on effectiveness and frequency of use, then on space consklerations, durability and price. Most of our stations are old and have little space available to house large bulky pieces of equipment. 2 assessment centers will be positbned one on each side of the island to minimize travel costs. These will serve as centralized facilities to conduct fitness evaluations. They will also have the same equipment as in the stations so the PFT can not only create a personalized workout for members, but train them In the proper techniques to do the entire workout on the same equipment that they have at the station. There will also be additional equipment for members who need assistance in rehabilitation so they may return to work. A software program will enable members and trainers to monitor their progress through their entire career while maintaining strict confidentiality. The medical screening is taibred to provide as comprehensive testing as possible for a fair price. Members who are older or have speofic dsk factors will receive additional testing that Is not necessary for the majority of the department. HFD will contract out medical screening for physical exams, blood workups, urinalyses, and exercise stress tests compliant with NFPA 1582 recommendations. The HFD and County administration recognize the need to ba aggressivey proactive in our members' health and wellbeing. For example, we are working towards training medical professionals about the specific demands that are placed upon firefighters so that our members can be more accurately evaluated for duty. FINANCIAL NEED 82.2°h of HFD's $32,854,361 annual budget is allocated to salaries and wages. Of the remainder, 12.4% is allotted for operating supplies and equipment maintenance, and 5.4% for fire vehlde replacement, leaving no discretionary funds at all. As our population continues to grow, HFD's budgetary needs simultaneously Increase to attempt meeting the County of Hawaii's needs. Population growttr Is straining tire island's infrastructure, causing the County of Hawaii's revenues to be spread thin across its departments. Reallocating monies within HFD's budget is not an option for a department that Is committed to meeting the service demands of its growing communities. Successfully establishing a comprehensive health and wellness program depends on the acquisition of alternative funding. In Ilght of current economic trends, this dependence on attemative or grant funding is even more evident. With the County of Hawaii's program budget relying heavily on real property tax revenues, and with a dropping of properly values, the outlook for obtaining County government funding for. program start up is bleak. However, program sustainability is more feasible and reasonable and can be supported after securing the substantial start-up funds. As a young and progressive department, employee and operational safety is essential, valued, and appreciated by HFD's 347 firefighters. The department will continue its effort to educate the County of Hawall budget administrators to align themselves with those same values instilled in HFD through strategic planning and performance-based budgeting. However, at the present time, there is a definite and Immediate need for HFD to seek alternatlve funding to meet its safety program needs. COSTBENEFIT The current demographics of the Hawaii Fire Department mean that now Is in fact the perfect Ume to implement a Wellness/Fifiess program. Nearly half of our members have served for five years or less, and over one-third have served for 15 years or more-a scale weighted to the extreme at both ends due to adecade-long hiring freeze. This provides us with a unique opportunity to have the largest potential impact for our investment. We can catch those late in their careers just as some of the signs and symptoms of underlying problems start to appear. Above all, the unique age make-up of our department has us looking more towards the Wellness/Fitness program's preventative possibilities. That is, its implementation during the early years of so many of our members' fire fighting lives will benefit them In ways that ripple out across their entire careers. Additionally, as our extremey high percentage of younger members age into veteran status, new recruits will enter a workplace where wellness and fitness era the rule, not the exception, Because our program will be mandatory, there will be a designated workout tlme during the duty day. This commitment, along with the careful selection process, will ensure that the equipment purchased will be used on a daily basis. HFD is extremely fortunate to have great support from some of the best Wellness/Ftfiess programs in the country. Th1s has enabled us to team from their experiences and be confident that choices we make are sound, and ensure that funds will be spent wisely-a parikular concern in a place where the cost of living is so high (a gallon of milk costs around six dollars here). Although our grant request may be larger than what normally might be expected, we have boked at all areas for cost-saving measures. These Include doing es much as possible in house (immunizations), doing the majority of work on duty to minimize overtime costs (assessments), and covering backfilf costs assodated with PFT training. We have worked hard to design a program that minimizes costs in all areas without sacrificing quality. SUMMARY A Wellness/Ftness program must be implemented into our department's culture as soon as possible to address the significant health risks facing our members. The poor state of health amorig Hawaii's population causes us to wonder exactly how many of our own members are at risk. What scares us more is that our own members' health maybe even worse than the general population's. But we will never know until we can conduct the kind of comprehensive screening called for by NFPA 1582. Failure to receive this grant will not stop our department from trying to Implement a Wellness Fitness progrem- particulady given our extremely high percentage of younger members. However, trying to implement the program without the grant will undoubtedly take longer and most likely will be in a piecemeal fashion. It is our business to protect the lives of others. To be effective, we must begin with our awn. Thank you for your time and consideration. Aloha, The Hawall Fire Deparbent ` Please describe all grants. that you have received from DHS including any AFG grants received from DHS or FEMA, for example, 2002 AFG grant for vehicle or 2003 ODP Brent for exercises. (Enter °N/A" ff Not Applicable) The Hawaii Fire Departrnent received the following grants from DHS or FEMA: 1.2002 AFG grant, $152,948 for training simulators and vadous equipment Including 15 SCBAs, a compressor/cascade system, and 3 thermal Imaging units , 2.2004 AFG grant, $301,000 for a Mobile Live Burn Trailer Unit 3. 2005 AFG grant, $406,016 for 17 Plymo-Vent Systems 4.2007 AFG grant, $244,560 for Video-Conferencing equipment The Hawaii County Civil Defense received ODP Homeland Security grants, of which portions were allocated to the Fire Department. Each year purchases were targeted toward certain Chemed areas as follows: 5.2003 ODP granl#1, $527,356 for EMS, Fire, Hazmat, US&R response B, 2003 ODP grent#2, $941,560 for EMS, Fire, Hazma4 US&R response 7.2004 ODP grant, $876,868 for CBRNE Prevention, Detection 8 Response 2005 ODP grant, $560,000 Communications 2006 ODP grant, $300,000 Mass Casualty 8 Catastrophic Event Enhancement 8.2007 ODP Brent, $300,000 Preparation for Mass Casualty 8 Destructive Events