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Home My WebLink About2020-07-08 Fire Commission Regular MinutesHAWAII FIRE COMMISSION REGULAR SESSION MINUTES JULY 8, 2020 HAWAII COUNTY OFFICE OF AGING 1055 KINO`OLE ST., SUITE 101, HILO, HAWAII CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Chair Yamada called the meeting to order at 9:03 a.m. Chair Yamada introduced new members Paleka, Luke, and Nishimoto. Present: Robert Yamada, Chair Kyle Keamo, Vice Chair Benjamin Agdeppa, Member Gregory Henkel, Member Corey Luke, Member Merrick Nishimoto, Member Daniel Paleka, Member Absent: Donna Payesko A quorum was preset. Also present: Darren Rosario, Fire Chief Craig Masuda, Deputy Corporation Counsel Josie Pelayo, Secretary STATEMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS (None) APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MARCH 11, 2020 • Regular Session Minutes: Commissioner Henkel motioned to approve the minutes. Vice Chair Keamo seconded, and it carried unanimously. Executive Session Minutes: Vice Chair Keamo motioned to approve the minutes. Commissioner Henkel seconded, and it carried unanimously. FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT Chief Rosario introduced himself to the three new commissioners. He stated that he has been a career fire fighter for 30 years and has worked in all departments except Hazmat. He was appointed Fire Chief in 2011. He introduced Battalion Chief Kazuo Todd of Auxiliary Services who sat in the audience. Chief Rosario highlighted items from his written report: Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes July 8, 2020 Page 2 Budget ✓ FY 2019/2020: Chief reported that much of his report is the same from the last several reports. Their deficit is due to not being properly funded. Each employee was given only $1,000 for overtime. 24-hour work encompasses overtime, brush fire incidents causes overtime. Back in March, they recognized the deficit and met with Finance and the Mayor. A lot of their overtime was due to Mauna Kea. When the Mayor decided, they would not make any arrests, their mission on Mauna Kea was pulled back to save money. They spent about $175,000 in the short time they were there. They worked hard, but then came the Coronavirus. The Covid-19 Task Force was started for public education. All the signage and information for businesses was led by Deputy Chief Uchida. All of that costs money. The numbers are not final, but they are not in the negative. ✓ FY 2020/21: Their final budget was approved by the County Council. They had $40,000 in budget cuts. Their supplemental budget requests, apparatus replacement budget, historically justified overtime funding, and additional personnel to meet standards were not approved. They received word that the State was not going to fund Hapuna. Hapuna is the most lethal beach in the state. The County staffs Hapuna. He gave a statement to the legislature in support of funding for Hapuna. The State cut $4.5 million for 4 ambulances, but the legislature came through with the funding. They are waiting for the governor to sign the bill. Alternative Funding and Grants ✓ Daniel R. Sayre Memorial Foundation: The 2020 awards dinner was cancelled, and they are now looking at virtual awards. AC Okinaka is working with the foundation on current donations. ✓ USDA USFS Wildland Grant: They were awarded $50,000 for wildland training. ✓ USFA FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant: The grant committee submitted projects for PPE cleaning. The AFG awards and disbursement was postponed to 2021 due to Covid-19. Human Resources Division ✓ Internal Recruitment within the Department: Fire Captain assessment and interviews were completed. Fire Equipment Operator referred list was received. Fire Rescue Specialist and Fire Hazardous Materials Specialist recruitment was postponed due to Covid-19. ✓ Internal Recruitment within the County: Two Fire Radio Dispatchers will be hired on August 1. ✓ Employee Development Training: All training cancelled due to Covid-19. ✓ Labor Relations: Internal investigations ongoing regarding rank for rank. • Emergency Operations Division Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes July 8, 2020 Page 3 ✓ AC -1: AC Okinaka took over Special Operations. He continues to work on updating policies and procedures. ✓ Battalion 1, East Hawaii: Both East and West Hawaii have been very busy with rescues and fire incidents. ✓ Special Operations: Hazmat drills on mass casualty was cancelled due to Covid-19. Rescue Boat 7 had an impeller damaged again, and they are monitoring the issue for misuse or faulty construction. Support Services Division ✓ Training: The 481h Fire Fighter Recruit class held a virtual graduation ceremony. The 49th Fire Fighter Recruit class continues with training. They are now fully staffed. ✓ Volunteer Training has been put on hold. ✓ EMS Bureau: The 49th Fire Fighter Recruit class participated with HPD on active shooter training. ✓ Meetings: They met with State legislatures primarily to deal with the State's cut in funding for EMS which is for 4 units, S & W, and equipment. Funding was eventually increased. ✓ Projects & Miscellaneous: The Community Paramedic Program continues. Much of their outreach goes to the homeless and people who constantly call 911. They conducted a fall and fire risk assessment in Kohala along with ADRC. ✓ Projects on hold: Fire and Volunteer websites, contract for Bullard wipes for after scene decontamination, mobile data terminal project, and Plymovent repair project for exhaust system at stations. New Projects and Business: Kea`au Fire Station renovations completed. Still working with DPW and the Council for a new roof for the Pahala station. They continue with coronavirus assistance around the island. The Big Island has been very cooperative. Employees, Public Relations, and Commendations: Deputy Chief Lance Uchida retired on June 30, 2020. Robert Perreira is now the new Deputy Chief. His Assistant Chief position is vacant. Chief is looking to replace him temporarily because he feels the new Fire Chief should hire the new AC. Other Departmental Activities: Chief explained the incident report. He stated that a large majority of the calls are for EMS, which is standard across the nation. He has been trying to add positions to meet the NFPA guidelines. CHAIR'S REPORT ON MATTERS OF INTEREST TO THE COMMISSION Chair Yamada reminded the commissioners to submit their financial disclosure statement. He asked them to review the Sunshine Law that Mr. Masuda sent them. He also asked them to review the HFD Powerpoint presentation that the Chief sent them via email. Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes July 8, 2020 Page 4 EXECUTIVE SESSION (Closed to the public.) Commissioner Paleka motioned to meet in executive session to discuss the hiring of a new Fire Chief and to consult with Corporation Counsel on questions and issues pertaining to the commission's powers, duties, privileges, immunities, and liabilities pursuant to HRS 92-5 (a) (2) and (4) and the Hawaii County Charter Section 13-20 (b). Commissioner Agdeppa seconded, and it carried unanimously. Executive session convened at 10:45 a.m. Regular session reconvened at 12:04 a.m. UNFINISHED BUSINESS • Discussion on the new Fire Chief Selection Process: Discussion was held in executive session. Commissioner Paleka motioned that they notify HR today that they want to send out announcements for the Chief's vacancy as soon as possible. The advertisement will have the minimum qualifications as posted on the HR website. The advertisement will request a cover letter and resume. Public input will be taken during the August and September meetings. A timeline is to have interviews between the September 9t" and October 14th meetings with selection done in that time period. Commissioner Henkel seconded, and it carried unanimously. ANNOUNCEMENTS Chair Yamada announced that the commission's next monthly meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 18, 2020, at 9:00 a.m., in the West Hawaii Civic Center, Building G Conference Room, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 12:07 p.m. SUBMITTED BY: JOSIE PELAYO, SECRETARY APPROVED BY: ROBERT YAMADA, CHAIR