REP FC 099 10/01/2013 (2012-2014)

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REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE DATE: October 1, 2013 Re: Comm. No. 434/Res. No. 176-13 PLACE: Council Chambers Hilo, Hawai`i TIME: 8:34 a.m. Council Chair and Members Hawai`i County Council Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Resolution No. 176-13, reports as follows: Resolution No. 176-13, transmitted jointly with Bill No. 132, by Finance Director Nancy Crawford via Communication No. 434, dated September 13, 2013, authorizes the Office of the Mayor to enter into an agreement with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), pursuant to HRS 46-7, for the FY 2012 Assistance to Firefighters Grant to the Hawai`i Fire Department. The funds will be used to hire an instructor to train selected HFD instructor personnel on the topic of escaping an entanglement situation, and to purchase equipment to support such training. Fire Chief Darren Rosario appeared before Your Committee to discuss the Assistance to Firefighters Grant, and its use for their sustainable training program. According to Chief Rosario, the funds will be used to train personnel on occupational hazards which include entrapment and/or entanglement during a structural fire. Captain Garrett Kim, of the Honoka`a Fire Station is the author of the grant. Council Member Brenda Ford commended Fire Chief Rosario and Captain Kim on behalf of the County Council for their proactive efforts in training personnel, and further safeguarding their staff and the public. 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 No. 99