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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-06-09 Fire Commission MinutesHAWAII FIRE COMMISSION REGULAR SESSION MINUTES JUNE 9, 2021 WEST HAWAII CIVIC CENTER, BUILDING G CONFERENCE ROOM 74-5044 ANE KEOHOKALOLE HIGHWAY, KAILUA-KONA, HAWAII CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Chair Luke called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. Present: Corey Luke, Chair Benjamin Agdeppa, Vice Chair Gregory Henkel, Commissioner Kyle Keamo, Commissioner Gerald Kosaki, Commissioner Wesley Mattos, Commissioner Gene Nakashima, Commissioner Daniel Paleka, Commissioner Shon Magsalin Commissioner A quorum was present. Also present: Kazuo Todd, Fire Chief Darwin Okinaka, Assistant Chief Ian Smith, Assistant Chief Leanne Kapahu, Private Secretary Nikol Lonokapu, Account IV J Yoshimoto, Deputy Corporation Counsel Josie Pelayo, Secretary PUBLIC STATEMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS (None.) APPROVAL OF MINUTES May 12, 2021, regular session: Deputy Corporation Counsel Yoshimoto corrected the minutes on page 5 of his training session to read that an affirmative vote of the majority of the entire membership is needed in order for an action to carry. Chair Luke stated that in order to take action, they must have five votes to carry. Commissioner Henkel motioned to approve the minutes as amended. Commissioner Kosaki seconded, and it carried unanimously. FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT Chief Todd introduced Nikole Lonokapu, new Accountant IV, who replaced Mr. Lorenzo. Chief highlighted items from his written report: Budget: Chief Todd reported that they are working on paying old, unpaid bills. They are 11 months into the fiscal year, and total spending through May 31 is at 84.12%. Salaries and Wages for Fire is at 85.46% and 87.39% for EMS. OCE purchases Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes June 9, 2021 Page 2 have been halted except for critical needs. State funding for lifeguards was cut. The County is looking at using $3.6 million from the American Rescue Plan to offset some of the shortfall. They received EMS reimbursements from the State for FY 19/20 for $6.5 million and $2.9 million for July and August of FY 20/21. Alternative Funding and Grants: The National Forest Service Grant was submitted. The FEMA AFG for Covid-19 grant period was extended for another year. Human Resources Division ✓ Internal recruitment within the department: Fire Captain of Emergency Operations, Fire Equipment Operator, Fire Prevention Inspector, Human Resources Technician I. ✓ Open Competitive Recruitment: Deputy Fire Chief, Fire Fighter Recruit, Fire Radio Dispatcher I • Emergency Operations Division: For the month of May, they received 2,232 calls, YTD 10,593 calls. Chief explained how the Sayre Foundation came about. Daniel Sayre went hiking in Palolo Valley, fell, and passed away. The Fire Department had many challenges in rescuing him. As a result, his parents started the Daniel R. Sayre Memorial Foundation to provide equipment and training for the Hawaii Fire Department. They have received over $4 million in donations. In addition, Ironman has made donations to the Fire Department through the Sayre Foundation. Commissioner Kosaki worked with the Sayre Foundation for many years. ✓ Battalion 1, East Hawaii: AC Okinaka reported that the final inspection for the new build Brushtruck 17 was on June 4 via video. There were no significant incidents. Training for the new electrostatic sprayers is being rolled out. They are working on diversity training. ✓ Battalion 2, West Hawaii: AC Okinaka reported that in May, the Sayre Foundation had a blessing and gifting ceremony for the new Big Dog Wildland Tanker at Station 14. ✓ HazMat: AC Okinaka attended the LEPC quarterly meeting. ✓ Ocean Safety: AC Okinaka reported that iPads were distributed to Ocean Safety Captains. They are awaiting training for the Street LG Program for incident reporting. ✓ Rescue: AC Okinaka reported that they have been in discussions on replacing the rescue boats. They are expecting a delivery next month and a second one later. The Sayre Foundation has shown interest in assisting with the purchase Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes June 9, 2021 Page 3 of new vessels. They are planning for dive rescue training and recertifications. They need new skis, they have the funds, but they can't get it from a dealer. Vice Chair Agdeppa asked about the department's position on charging people for rescues. AC Okinaka stated that the repercussions could be scary. Commissioner Kosaki stated that if people know they will be charged, they would be hesitant to call. Chief Todd stated that he could see it for tour companies who go into areas that they should not. We are an economy based on tourism. There is a time and place for fees, but not rescues. • Support Services Division ✓ EMS Bureau: AC Smith reported that 7 paramedic students are doing rotations at Kapiolani and Queens Medical Centers as part of their advanced life support pediatric and trauma training. They are scheduled to finish in January. The 47th Annual National Emergency Medical Services Week was recognized May 16-22. They are working with the State Department of Health in rolling out ESO Solutions, a new electronic patient care report program. Captain Domingo has conducted multiple hands -only CPR classes island -wide. The County Council accepted the EMS budget. The EMS Bureau will be participating in a COVID mitigation team called Cluster Busters which is multi - agency that will help control the spread of COVID. ✓ Training Bureau: AC Smith reported that fifteen personnel attended joint training at Pohakuloa on firefighter survival. Eleven personnel attended a "live burn" fire behavior training at Pohakuloa. Interviews were conducted for Firefighter recruits. ✓ Volunteer Training: AC Smith reported that all volunteer companies were given a class on Incident Command Systems Basics, followed by a hands-on drill. Companies (9A, 9B, 7B, and 14A received safety training on unexploded ordinance in the Waikoloa area. Five potential new volunteers are in the application process. On volunteer in Station 8A is now a certified driver. ✓ Prevention Bureau: AC Smith reported that the bureau continued the 24-hour schedule and saw many benefits. Commissioner Mattos stated that he read letters about the backlog and asked if that was the reason for the change to 24 - hours. Chief Todd stated that that was one of the premises. He feels a dedicated fire plan reviewer is a better way to go. People would pay for their permit. They would add an additional fee for Fire. Chief Perreira was pushing for that back when they working on the 2012 Code, but it didn't happen. He is now pushing for an electronic plan review, so they would only need one person doing the reviews, not one in Hilo and one in Kona. They are closely watching the 24 hour schedule. He wants it diversified, some 24 hours and some 48 hours. Commissioner Kosaki suggested having a clerk available in the office to Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes June 9, 2021 Page 4 meet with customers rather than a BC. Chief Todd stated that they are running about 80 plans a month. Commissioner Paleka stated that he wants to see the numbers. Somethings need to be done, and they need to take care of the problem. Chief Todd stated that he would have the stats at the next meeting. AC Okinaka stated that when they initially moved to 24 hours, there was significant increase in plan reviews. ✓ Fire Communications Control Center: AC Smith stated that a FRD I is doing very well, and will begin TA to FRDII. ✓ Volunteer Commander Bertsch reported that once Covid lets up, they will try to get more volunteers. They are working on a service recognition program and pathway for leadership. They are working on a pathway for leadership and leadership training. They want to modernize the volunteer program. With regards to previous discussion on repairs of the rescue vessels, the Coast Guard comes from somewhere else, so they have to have a functional vessel. He suggested they get a new boat and then figure out how to fix the old boat. Chief Todd stated that one of their biggest problem when he came in was paying their bills, and one of the big ones was the boat. With their new accountant, Nikol, they have caught up with bills that went back 3 years. His goal is to have all chiefs financially literate. AC Okinaka stated that the boat has been down since he came on. They were having issues with no funds to pay the $25,000 to fix the rescue boat. They are now waiting for the repairer to schedule them in. The Boathouse is the only one who will do it. The Force is up and running. They decommissioned the Whaler. Anything over $1,000, they need a bid and need to follow their requirements. They hope to get the Raton up and running in a few weeks. They just did impeller work in August. They've done it twice, but it keeps going bad. They are working on a lot of problems. They work for the County, and following procurement guidelines takes time. Accountant Lonokapu stated that with the boat, they did an emergency procurement, and that took three days. Commissioner Henkel asked if they could use volunteers with boats. AC Okinaka stated that yesterday, a fishing boat helped them with a rescue. Chief Todd stated that they have hired bulldozers, so they could hire boats. Recess was called at 10:42 a.m. The meeting reconvened at 10:57 a.m. New Projects and Business: Chief Todd reported that the Hawaii Fire Department is now on Facebook. He gave a video presentation on recruitment, promotions, the management software that tracks progress, and the warehouse procurement Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes June 9, 2021 Page 5 software. He showed a video of historic fire incidents on the island. They are moving into a potentially high fire season this summer. Based on growth for the past 4 years, they anticipate an explosive summer. UNFINISHED BUSINESS • Discussion regarding having online access/participation in Fire Commission meetings: Chief Todd stated that they cannot use the County Council's equipment. He will continue to look into having online meetings, and will report back. NEW BUSINESS • Robert Perreira's appeal to Merit Appeals Board concerning the selection of the fire chief. (Discussion held in executive session.) EXECUTIVE SESSION Commissioner Paleka motioned to meet in executive session to regarding the above new business, pursuant to Hawai'i Revised Statutes Sections 92-4, 92-5 (a) (2) and 92- 5 (a) (4), where the consideration of matters affecting privacy will be involved and for the purpose of consulting with the commission's attorney on questions and issues pertaining to the commission's powers, duties, privileges, immunities, and liabilities. Commissioner Henkel seconded, and it carried unanimously. Executive session convened at 11:33 a.m. Regular session reconvened at 12:05 p.m. AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING • Fire Commission's annual report ANNOUNCEMENTS Chair Luke announced that the commission's next monthly meeting is scheduled for July 14, 2021, at 9:00 a.m., in the Office of Aging, 1055 Kino'ole St., Hilo, Hawaii. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 12:12 p.m. SUBMITTED BY: JOSIE PELAYO, SECRETARY APPROVED BY: COREY LUKE, CHAIR