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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-10-14 Fire Commission Regular MinutesHAWAII FIRE COMMISSION REGULAR SESSION MINUTES OCTOBER 14, 2020 WEST HAWAII CIVIC CENTER, BLDG G CONF RM 74-5044 ANE KEOHOKALOLE HWY, KAILUA-KONA, HI CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL Chair Yamada called the meeting to order at 9:04 a.m. Present: Robert Yamada, Chair Kyle Keamo, Vice Chair Benjamin Agdeppa, Commissioner Gregory Henkel, Commissioner Corey Luke, Commissioner Merrick Nishimoto, Commissioner Daniel Paleka, Commissioner Donna Payesko, Commissioner A quorum was present. Also present: Darren Rosario, Fire Chief Robert Perreira, Deputy Chief Ian Smith, Assistant Chief Craig Masuda, Deputy Corporation Counsel Josie Pelayo, Secretary STATEMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS (None.) APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 9, 2020 • Regular Session Minutes: Commissioner Henkel motioned to approve the minutes. Vice Chair Keamo seconded, and it carried unanimously. • Executive Session Minutes: Commissioner Henkel motioned to approve the minutes. Commissioner Keamo seconded, and it carried unanimously. FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT Chief Rosario stated that this is his last meeting as the Fire Chief before his retirement at the end of the month. He wanted to personally thank all the commissioners for the service they provide and for what they will be doing in the upcoming weeks in the selection of the next Fire Chief. All of them are involved in public service for making our community better. That is what he has tried to do his entire career as a firefighter and the last nine years as Fire Chief. He wanted to make positive changes and do the best he could. That's what he looks for in the next chief because it's going to be a very arduous, tumultuous year, and probably for the foreseeable long-term. A lot is based on TAT funding, and without tourism, that is zero. They received zero this year, and he fully anticipate they will get zero again. This affects the Fire Department specifically Ocean Safety. This year, utilizing CARES Act, they were able to maintain services at Hapuna Beach Park. They got zero funding for Hapuna. Luckily, the legislative process allowed them to keep Kua Bay because they were funded for multiple years, but that runs out this Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes October 14, 2020 Page 2 year. His greatest concern is that DLNR will not be funded, and therefore not contract with the County of Hawaii for water safety officer services at Kua Bay and Hapuna. Those are long-time water safety officers of our community that work every day there. Hapuna is the most dangerous beach out there. He can't imagine not being able to provide the services. He will be at the legislature again, even though he will be a private citizen. He thanked Commissioner Henkel who was on the commission when he was hired as Fire Chief and bringing back his experience. He again thanked the commission for the service they provide and the honor to allow him to serve his community. Chief Rosario highlighted items from his written report: Budget ✓ FY 2019/20: County -wide they are okay because they got an influx of CARES Act Funding that's helping to offset a lot of shortfalls due to Covid. They are still in talks with the State regarding their EMS contract and reduction in funding. They are looking at a 2.5% reduction from the general funds portion of their budget which is approximately just short of a million dollars. When they first looked at the State EMS across the state, the cuts were so large, that they were looking at three to four EMS units being shut down. His goal is that they don't shut down any EMS units. ✓ FY 2021-22: County Finance just had their budget kickoff where all departments received their directives which included no new positions and a 5% budget reduction. They had this same directive last year, but they could only cut about 0.2%. Their budget is nearly 90% Salaries and Wages and about 10% other. Their budget is due on October 30, and the process goes to June. They will also submit supplemental budget requests. They want the County Administration and the Council to understand their needs. They are also concerned about cuts by the State for EMS. Chair Yamada asked what the Fire Commission could do to assist or promote their budget submittal. Chief Rosario stated that the most important thing that the Fire Commission could do is to give public testimony during the Council hearing around April. Their goal is to keep their water safety officers and maintaining their State EMS budget. In the past, the Chair and Vice Chair provided testimony to the Council in support of their budget. Commissioner Paleka entered at 9:19 a.m. Alternative Funding and Grants: ✓ The Daniel R. Sayre Memorial Foundation which provides a lot of donations to the Hawaii Fire Department, is currently working with SalesForce, providing the County with Covid-19 related protective equipment. The Fire Department is a Hawai'i Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes October 14, 2020 Page 3 big part of the partnership with the Covid-19 mitigation efforts led by Deputy Chief Perreira. Retired Deputy Chief Lance Uchida is also engaged with SalesForce and providing the testing that's going on across the island. The SalesForce Corporation gave a significant donation to the county. ✓ USFA FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant for Covid-19: They were awarded $380,000 for Covid-19 PPE and disinfecting equipment. They were later notified that they could apply again for FEMA funding, and so will be applying for high capacity extractors which are washing machines that wash contaminants out of their fire gear. Human Resources Division: They are going through internal recruitment for fire equipment operator and open -competitive recruitment for an account clerk. Employee Development and Training has started, but class size is very limited. The firefighter recruitment closed on September. They generally receive about 150-300 applicants that qualify after the initial recruitment. After the written and agility tests, they usually have a good applicant pool. Emergency Operations Division ✓ AC 1: AC Darwin Okinaka completed the final inspections for Engine 7, Kailua- Kona and Engine 17, Laupahoehoe. They were moved from Pennsylvania to Oregon for testing and then will be sent to San Diego for shipping to Hawai'i. They are expected to arrive in Hilo the week of the October 28tH ✓ Battalion 1, East Hawai'i, they had a prison riot and fire on Waianuenue Avenue. The suppression system held the fire in check until they were able extinguish it. They were able to get the prisoners sequestered safely and identified prisoners and corrections officers who needed medical treatment which was mostly minor. They had a sad situation at Sand Hill in Puna where two brothers riding dirt bikes went over the hill. The older brother passed away before their arrival. The younger brother had to be airlifted out by medical transport. A brush fire in Ka'alu'alu in Ka'u covered approximately 3,500 acres where 39 career and volunteers firefighters fought the fire. They saved two outbuildings of ranch equipment and storage and freed a paddock of cattle and horses from the fast moving fire. The area also has a large number of historic archaeological sites. ✓ Battalion 2, West Hawaii, had a UTV rollover with two 8 -year old males who had to be transported to the hospital via helicopter. The helicopter is also under EMS review for budget cuts. They did a multiple agency search for two divers reportedly missing. They were found at a gas station. They were glad for that, but they needed to be educated to let people know when they leave the area so people don't think they are missing. Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes October 14, 2020 Page 4 ✓ Special Operations ➢ Hazmat: They were able to do Hazmat ID updates in-service training at Kaumana with an instructor who came in from Kauai with an exemption. The Hazmat technician training was pushed back again because of quarantine requirements. They are working with Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut to do their confined space training. AC Okinaka is working on the baseline bloodwork and annual medical monitoring for all hazmat personnel. ➢ Ocean Safety: They replaced the Hapuna tower with a new double tower, and the old tower was relocated to Spencer beach. ➢ Rescue: The USCG biennial SAREX training is planned for 2022 due to Covid. Support Services Division: Chief introduced newly promoted Assistant Chief of Support Services, Ian Smith, who has been a long-time Battalion Chief of Operations. AC Smith stated that he spent 16 years in operations, got his paramedic license in 2007, was promoted to fire equipment operator, and then promoted to captain in Pahoa Village during the lava flow. He also worked in Kohala, Pahala, and Central. He worked as Operations Battalion Chief in both east and west sides of the island. He has also been the behind the scenes person on a number of successful grant teams in extracting data and applying it to grants. He further stated that he is excited to be here and a part of the new team. He is looking to the challenge and keeping the team moving in the direction that Chief Rosario started. ✓ Training: Chief Rosario reported that firefighter recruits are working on completing their driver's training. They are waiting for the new fire fighter recruit list. ✓ Volunteer Training: Chief Rosario introduced Volunteer Commander John Bertsch who works out of the Kalaoa Station. Everything that deals with the volunteers go through Commander Bertsch. Commander Bertsch reported that the purpose of his visit is primarily to say mahalo to Chief Rosario. Right after Chief Rosario was hired in 2011, Chief Rosario hit the ground running. He allocated resources that were necessary to up their fire trucks. They are like the stepbrother of the department. When the frontline engine company gets brand new pieces of equipment, oftentimes the recycled equipment ends up in a volunteer company. Chief Rosario has had to navigate a lava flow that made international news. They probably had the largest wildland fires in the county under the Chief's tenure. The Chief gave his notice of retirement, and then rescinded his retirement in the face of a global pandemic. That speaks to his leadership qualities, his commitment to the community, and his commitment to all of them. On behalf of the 145 volunteers, he expressed his gratitude to the Chief and all he's done for the Volunteer Program. Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes October 14, 2020 Page 5 Commissioner Payesko asked Commander Bertsch to give the new commissioners an overview of the Volunteer Program. Chair Yamada stated that he would like to do it after the new chief is on board Chief Rosario thanked Commander Bertsch for his kind words. They have had a longstanding relationship thorough Ironman as well. ✓ EMS Bureau ➢ Budget: The EMS Bureau is one of their busiest bureaus and accounts for 86% of their call volume. They are working with the Purchasing Department to get the notice to proceed to the vendor so they can starting building a new ambulance to arrive by spring to early summer of next year. ➢ Covid: They have had to make a lot of changes to EMS protocols because of the ventilation and had to go back to old -school inhalers instead of using a nebulizer that produces mist. Everything is done under the direction of their medical director here, the State Department of Health, and the medical profession across the entire country. They now have a disinfectant fogger for all their units. They also have foggers at their 3 base station hospitals — North Hawaii, Kona, and Hilo Medical Center and also at their administrative office. All were purchased with CARES funding. In response to questioning, Deputy Chief Perreira stated that their units are disinfected at the hospital after each call. Sprayers are also at the hospital, so they are disinfecting after every call because they consider every patient as possible positive. Chief Rosario stated that they wipe down with the sprays and use sprayers which are pretty fast. They are looking for a quick response team who can test personnel or targeted areas promptly rather than waiting for a testing site. Five students completed their MICT training and passed their registry. The 49th recruit class completed their EMT class and are out on station assignments. The Community Paramedicine Program has expanded Covid education outreach in the community and continue with home visits for those who continually use their 911 system and ER. Captain Domingo has been promoting public education and training for AHA certifications, Heartsaver CPR, the Heart Safe Community Project. She is also working on getting AED donations for the Police Department. ➢ Auxiliary Services: Due to budget cuts, projects on hold are the volunteer website pages, contract to add Bullard wipe, and Plymovent repairs project to vent vehicle exhaust outside of the station. They hired two new fire dispatchers. Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes October 14, 2020 Page 6 New Projects and Business: They continue to work with DPW, Council, and Finance to replace the Pahala fire station roof. The new Fire -Police Dispatch Center has gone out to bid. Chief Rosario again thanked the commission for their work. He stated that he has 100% confidence in Deputy Chief Perreira to continue in the capacity of Acting Chief. He will do a phenomenal job. He knows what needs to be done. Everyone comes in with their own leadership style and priorities, but one thing is outstanding for him is that the Deputy is very grounded, grounded in family, faith, and doing what is the right thing to do. Funding is going to be really critical. Without funding there is not much they can do, but it doesn't mean they cannot try. He went on to say that the key is relationships. Chiefs Perreira and Smith have great relationship type goals. They know who to make contact with. He just wanted to let the commission know that he has no reservations with turning the helm of the Fire Department to Deputy Chief Perreira and continuing for him to work with all of them and making the department the best it can be in the upcoming difficult times. In response to an inquiry, Chief Rosario stated that the Fire Department's Medical Director is Judith Fitzgerald, a long time emergency room physician from Kona who works for the Hawaii Emergency Physician's Association. They also work with Dr. Terrence Jones who is also an ER doctor who works primarily out of North Hawaii and works on the State's side. Commissioner Henkel stated that Chief Rosario has met and exceeded his expectations for the past 10 or so years. It's a tough job with the rural character of the island and budget limitations. The Chief went through hurricanes, earthquakes, and lava flows. The lava flow in his community had no lost of life and he is amazed there were no multiple casualties. The good people working under the Chief are a reflection of his leadership. Selecting a new chief will be tough Chief Rosario stated that the decision to retire was tough. He is still young. Being a department head takes a lot out of the family. It was a significant part of his children's development. Life is short, and he wants to enjoy it. He thanked all the commissioners and said it was a privilege to serve as Chief over the last 9 years and nearly 31 years in the Fire Department. In response to Commissioner Paleka's inquiry, Chief stated that his last day will be on October 31. Commissioner Paleka stated that Rule 13 of the commission's rules comes into play when there is a retirement. Chair Yamada told Chief Rosario that he is a fully retired person, so he understands the next phase in life he is going to enter and welcomed him to retired life. He asked the commissioners for a round of applause for the Chief's performance, which they gave. CHAIR'S REPORT ON MATTERS OF INTEREST TO THE COMMISSION (None.) Hawai'i Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes October 14, 2020 Page 7 Recess was called at 10:25 a.m. due to fire alarm testing. The meeting reconvened at 10:49 a.m. EXECUTIVE SESSION Commissioner Paleka motioned to meet in executive session to discuss the hiring of a new Fire Chief, work on the evaluation of the Fire Chief, and may 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 Hawai'i County Charter Section 13-20 (b). Commissioner Henkel seconded, and it carried unanimously. Executive session convened at 10:50 a.m. Open session reconvened at 2:25 p.m. Commissioner Paleka motioned to vote on Rule 13A. Commissioner Agdeppa seconded. Ayes: Ben, Merrick, Corey, Dan. Opposed: Payesko, Keamo, Henkel, Yamada. The motion died. Commissioner Paleka motioned to accept the questions discussed in executive session and to forward them to Human Resources for further disposition. Vice Chair Keamo seconded, and it carried unanimously. ANNOUNCEMENTS Chair Yamada announced that the next monthly meeting is scheduled for November 6, 2020, at 9:00 a.m. in the Hawai'i County Office of Aging Training Room, 1055 Kino'ole St., Hilo, Hawaii. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 2:32 p.m. SUBMITTED BY: JOSIE PELAYO, SECRETARY APPROVED BY: ROBERT M. YAMADA, 11