REP FC 097 10/01/2013 (2012-2014)

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REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE DATE: October 1, 2013 Re: Comm. No. 433/Res. No. 175-13 PLACE: Council Chambers Hilo, Hawai`i TIME: 8:34 a.m. Council Chair and Members Hawai`i County Council Hilo, Hawai`i 96720 Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Resolution No. 175-13, reports as follows: Resolution No. 175-13, transmitted jointly with Bill No. 131, by Finance Director Nancy Crawford via Communication No. 433, dated September 13, 2013, authorizes the Office of the Mayor to enter into an agreement with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, pursuant to HRS 46-7, for the FY 2012 Assistance to Firefighters - Fire Prevention and Safety Grant to the Hawai`i Fire Department. The funds will be used to purchase 700 to 750 fire detectors to be installed into the homes of elderly residents across Hawai`i Island. Fire Chief Darren Rosario appeared before Your Committee to discuss the use of their longstanding grant program, which was set up following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. According to Chief Rosario, Battalion Chief Gantry Andrade applied for this grant to fund the expansion of the Fire Department's Fire Safety program. The Fire Department is working with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)to install the detectors in the homes of the elderly across Hawai`i Isle. Council Member Brenda Ford commended the Fire Department, Chief Rosario and Battalion Chief Andrade on behalf of the County Council for their continued work to ensure the safety of the county. Pursuant to Section 46-7, Hawai`i Revised Statutes, County Departments must 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. FC Report No. 97