Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-03-09 Fire Commission MinutesHAWAI`I FIRE COMMISSION REGULAR SESSION MINUTES MARCH 9, 2022 AUPUNI CENTER CONFERENCE ROOM 101 PAUAHI ST., HILO, HAWAFI CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Vice Chair Agdeppa called the meeting to order at 9:08 a.m. Present: Benjamin Agdeppa, Vice Chair Gregory Henkel, Commissioner Gerald Kosaki, Commissioner Shon Magsalin, Commissioner Wesley Mattos, Commissioner Gene Nakashima, Commissioner Daniel Paleka, Commissioner A quorum was present. Absent: Corey Luke, Chair Also present: Kazuo Todd, Fire Chief Eric Moller, Deputy Fire Chief Vern Hara, Battalion Chief Ian Smith, Assistant Fire Chief John Bertsch, Volunteer Commander Malia Kekai, Deputy Corporation Counsel Charisse Correa, Secretary Leanne Kapahu, Fire Chief's Secretary Commissioner Kosaki announced that Commissioner Kyle Keamo's term ended. Fire Chief Todd introduced future Fire Commissioner for District 2 in attendance, Carlene Wolf. PUBLIC STATEMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS (None.) APPROVAL OF MINUTES • Commissioner Henkel motioned to approve the minutes of September 8, 2021. Commissioner Paleka seconded, it carried unanimously, and the minutes approved. NEW BUSINESS Nomination and vote for Chair of the Fire Commission: ✓ Commissioner Mattos nominated Commissioner Kosaki, seconded by Commissioner Henkel, all in favor, no oppositions, and it carried unanimously. Nomination and vote for Vice Chair of the Fire Commission: ✓ Chair Kosaki nominated Commissioner Agdeppa, seconded by Commissioner Henkel, all in favor, no oppositions, and it carried unanimously. Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes March 9, 2022 Page 2 ROUNDTABLE INTRODUCTION • Chair Kosaki requested everyone in attendance introduce themselves since it's been awhile since the last meeting. Chair Gerald Kosaki (District 3), Fire Chief Kazuo Todd, Police and Fire Commission Secretary Charisse Correa, Deputy Corporation Counsel Malia Kekai, District 1 Commissioner Shon Magsalin, District 5 Commissioner Daniel Paleka, District 4 Commissioner Gregory Henkel, District 7 Commissioner Wesley Mattos, Vice Chair Benjamin Agdeppa (District 8), District 6 Commissioner Gene Nakashima, Carlene Wolf will be sworn in today at 1 p.m., taking over Kyle Keamo's position for District 2, Volunteer Commander John Bertsch, Deputy Fire Chief Eric Moller, Fire Chief's Secretary Leanne Kapahu, Battalion Chief Vern Hara, and Assistant Fire Chief Ian Smith. FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT — RECAP FROM OCTOBER 2021 Fire Chief Todd highlighted items from his written reports. Detailed reports are on file. • Budget and Grants: ✓ Budget reorganization was approved, this will help improve expenditure tracking and distribution of funds. Finance is looking to replace the FRESH system in the next few years ✓ The Hawaii Fire Department underwent a performance audit, completed by the county auditor. ✓ Land on Mohouli Street, in Hilo for the new Central Fire Station has been identified and is being allocated. ✓ The Hawaii Fire Chief's Conference will be hosted by HFD in Waikoloa, on December 13-18, 2022 ✓ Chief Todd has been accepted into and will be attending the Fire Services Executive Development Institute (FSEDI) and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC). ✓ First supplemental budget request was approved for an additional $147,000. ✓ HFD received 1 Big Dog, 2 brush trucks, 2 rescue water crafts, and a new helicopter. They are currently working on receiving another 4 brush trucks and a command post. Retrieving 1 more Big Dog, another brush truck and an engine 14 from the Sayre Foundation is also in the works. ✓ CBDG-MIT Grant: $1.8 million has been allocated, this will be used to purchase a command post, 3 brush trucks and a trailer. Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes March 9, 2022 Page 3 ✓ HMGP Post Fire Grant: set at $584,000 for post fire recovery. ✓ Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) federal grant: for 6 captain positions and 3 firefighter positions. The grant awards $3.5 million, beginning in February 2022, for 3 years. Human Resources: ✓ New recruit class started February 1, 2022. ✓ They added 3 new positions this year: IT, fire captain in dispatch and an accountant in administration. Looking to restructure Fire, EMS and Ocean Safety. ✓ Chief Todd is looking into creating clerk positions, as they currently only have 1 and Chief Officers are tasked with completing clerical duties. ✓ Dispatch has a shortage issue. They currently have 5 new hires. All Dispatch positions were reclassified from "Fire Radio Dispatcher" to "Fire Communication Officer." Base Salaries for all positions were also increased. Organization chart has been restructured. There's extra pay when temporary assignments are performed, such as for trainers and supervisors. There will also be a Fire Captain assigned to dispatch. Chief Todd feels that they need the best communication center, he believes that good quality care for the public requesting assistance starts in dispatch. ✓ Shortage issues with paramedics. Chief Todd is looking at possibly making changes to the layout and structure, bringing in paramedic recruits. It's in the works and is experimental. Commissioner Paleka brought up a concern about the promotional opportunity for existing personnel that exists in the contract. Chief stated that he doesn't foresee a problem because they do not have enough paramedics and probably won't be able to fill all vacancies. Commissioner Mattos stated that they will most likely lose a lot of personnel coming in as paramedics, as they'll probably cross over to fire. Chief responded that they won't be allowed to cross over, the goal is to attract more applicants and hold paramedics for at least 5 years. Human resources is currently doing the write up. Chief advised that this is still in the works, details need to be addressed, it's an experimental concept, and they need to go through union negotiations. • Highlights: ✓ Chief Moller is currently working on redrafting their policies and procedures that hasn't been updated since 1984. The goal is to have it updated by this summer and have it available online. Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes March 9, 2022 Page 4 ✓ They are working on revamping HFD's website. The website will be transparent and simple for the public to find information such as: HFD's organizational chart, news, policies & procedures, other public facing documents and links to their social media. ✓ Chief Todd had station visitations on 3 separate days (shifts) and attended all the volunteer station commanders meetings. They held their first livestream, the link is still posted and is available to be viewed. He also met with support services, and had evening lifeguard meetings. FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT Fire Chief Todd highlighted items from his written report. Detailed report is on file. • Commendations/Awards: ✓ On February 19, 2022 they had an award presentation for Volunteer Firefighter, Lizzy Stabo. Honored by the Sayre Foundation, she was awarded for her heroism, which resulted in injuries at the Honu`apo fire last September. ✓ On February 22, 2022 WSO K. Ching was presented the Haweo Award. Budget: ✓ FY 2021-2022 county budget: total spending through February 28, 2022 is at 72.55 % with 66 % of the fiscal year completed. ✓ County funded budget: salaries & wages closed at 78.72%. OCE expenditures closed at 100.04%. ✓ State funded budget items: 1 st quarter FY 2022 will be billed to the state in February. Current projections estimate the expenditures at 63.19% ✓ FY 2022-2023: FY 2023 total budget is $55,824,453, of which $18,797,158 is grant funded. Budget increased by $3.3 million from last year. ✓ HIEMA HMGP funding: Ask is approximately $4,420,000. Requests submitted to HIEMA for excess federal funding to cover station hardening, generators and portable stations. • Human Resources: ✓ They are moving through with normal hiring and filling of positions. ✓ Chair Kosaki inquired about the transfer of 3 firefighters from the Laupahoehoe Fire Station to Pahoa Fire Station. Chief Todd stated that the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant was approved. The grant award is good for 3 years, beginning February 1, 2022. Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes March 9, 2022 Page 5 Emergency Operations Division: ✓ Total calls for the calendar year: Total calls for February is 2,221. Total calls year to date is 4,718. This is a 4.5% to 5% increase compared to last year. Updates: ✓ PGV fund SCBA compressor procurement has been moving along with County Council. They'll have funding in July and will procure more compressors. ✓ The fence line has been completed by Department of Public Works at the Honu'apo brush fire scene. VOLUNTEER COMMANDER'S REPORT Report given by Volunteer Commander, John Bertsch: • Volunteer Commander's Meeting ✓ Volunteer Commander's Meeting is on March 26, 2022, at 96 Kamani Street, in Pahala. Executive leadership program starts at 9:00 a.m. and the meeting starts at 10:00 a.m. If the Fire Commissioners are available, they are encouraged to attend. Recruitment: ✓ They are off to a great start with the volunteer program. They are close to 20- 22%, with 132-137 volunteers, and they have about 30 new members. Training Material: ✓ 20 copies of "Essentials 7" were donated and he will be distributing the books out to volunteer stations. Recess was called at 11:28 am. The meeting reconvened at 11:58 a.m. UNFINISHED BUSINESSS • Online access/participation in Fire Commission meetings: Fire Chief Todd recommends holding future commission meetings at the County Council Chambers. He will look into availability and discuss at the next meeting. He feels Zoom should also be an option. Continued to next meeting. • Fire Commission's annual report: Chair Kosaki requests a template and stated this will be completed by this fiscal year. EXECUTIVE SESSION The commission will meet in executive session to consider complaints against employees of the fire department where matters affecting privacy will be involved. The commission also anticipates convening an executive session regarding Robert Perreira's appeal to the Merit Appeals Board, pursuant to Hawai'i Revised Statutes Hawai'i Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes March 9, 2022 Page 6 Sections 92-4, 92-5 (a) (2) and (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. Motion to enter executive session made by Commissioner Henkel, seconded by Commissioner Paleka, and it carried unanimously. Motion to reconvene open session made by Commissioner Paleka, seconded by Chair Kosaki, and it carried unanimously. Open session reconvened. ACTION ON EXECUTIVE SESSION MATTERS Complaint in the non -Acceptance category due to the 60 day rule. ✓ Motion made by Commissioner Paleka to accept the complaint due to excusable neglect, seconded by Commissioner Henkel, all in favor and it carried unanimously. Continued to next meeting. AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING Amend Fire Commission Rules & Regulations. Changes to the 60 day rule and date of meetings to allow more flexibility. Chair Kosaki suggests making changes to the meeting dates. Kekai, Deputy Corporation Counsel recommends amending the Fire Commission rules, as it states that meetings shall be held on the 2nd Wednesday of the month. She will provide the language. Ms. Correa will distribute the Fire Commission Rules and Regulations. • Investigation of complaint HCFC 22-01. • Discussion regarding holding meetings at Council Chambers will be continued. Annual Evaluation of the Fire Chief. Chair Kosaki stated that according to the county code, the evaluation of the fire chief needs to be submitted at least annually and submitted to the mayor's managing director and council. Deputy Corporation Counsel, Kekai stated that the commission can determine whether to use a calendar or fiscal year. She also pointed out that the fire chief's program of work needs to be evaluated as well. She mentioned that the police chief submits goals for the year and the commission holds him accountable to those goals. Commissioner Magsalin suggests having a meeting timekeeper during future meetings. ANNOUNCEMENTS Chair Kosaki announced that the next meeting is scheduled for April 13, 2022, at 9:00 a.m., in the West Hawai'i Civic Center, Building G Conference Room, Kailua-Kona. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 12:30 p.m. Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes March 9, 2022 Page 7 SUBMITTED BY: CHARISSE CORREA, SECRETARY APPROVED BY: GERALD KOSAKI, CHAIR