HomeMy WebLinkAbout01 FIRE CHIEFS REPORT FY21-22 JULY1
FIRE CHIEFS REPORT
Hawai’i Fire Department
kazuo.todd@hawaiicounty.gov 808-932-2900
25 Aupuni St, Hilo, HI, 96720
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
TO THE FIRE COMMISSION ______________________________________ 3
Response Highlights ______________________________________________________ 3
Community Outreach ______________________________________________________ 4
BUDGET ______________________________________________________ 6
Alternative Funding and Grants ______________________________________________ 5
SAFER Grant ____________________________________________________________ 5
National Forest Service Grant _______________________________________________ 5
FEMA AFG for COVID 19 __________________________________________________ 5
FEMA BRIC _____________________________________________________________ 5
FEMA Flood Mitigation Assistance Grant ______________________________________ 5
HUMAN RESOURCES ___________________________________________ 6
Recruitment _____________________________________________________________ 6
Classification ____________________________________________________________ 6
Employee Development and Training _________________________________________ 6
Gains and Losses ________________________________________________________ 6
Retirement ______________________________________________________________ 6
EMERGENCY OPERATIONS DIVISION _____________________________ 7
Battalion 1, East Hawai’i ___________________________________________________ 7
Battalion 2, West Hawai’i ___________________________________________________ 8
Hazardous Materials Response ______________________________________________ 8
Ocean Safety ____________________________________________________________ 8
Rescue _________________________________________________________________ 9
SUPPORT SERVICES 9
Emergency Medical Services Bureau _________________________________________ 9
Training Bureau __________________________________________________________ 9
Volunteer Bureau _________________________________________________________ 9
Fire Prevention Bureau ____________________________________________________ 9
Maintenance Bureau _____________________________________________________ 10
Auxiliary Service Bureau __________________________________________________ 10
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS 10
CHIEF'S BRIEFING 10
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TO THE FIRE COMMISSION
State of the Department
The State of the Department is good. Although challenges seem to pop up regularly, the
dedicated staff are champions in managing the issues. As I enter my fourth month as the
Chief, I am humbled by all of the efforts of the Department, to go above and beyond, to
ensure we provide the community with the best possible emergency response and program
administration. This is not to say everything is perfect, quite the contrary. We continue to
have staffing issues in Dispatch and EMS, the Stations in general are in deplorable
conditions, and much of our front-line equipment is past its lifecycle replacement date.
Compounding these issues is the minimal funding in the training program. In short, we have
a lot to do to resolve these long-standing issues. Key to that, is developing a Community Risk
Assessment. We will be working over the next several months to develop a timeline and
implementation program to engage the community on this assessment. Now, on to the
summary for the past month’s highlights.
Response Highlights
The following are the highlights from July 2021. The complete list of responses will be
provided in the Emergency Operations Division Update.
Incident # 13590 - 7/9/2021 Missing Swimmers
Humuhumu Point. At approximately midnight, a call
of two (2) missing swimmers was reported in
District 20. Companies 20 and 7, Battalion Chief 2,
and the US Coast Guard (USCG) responded and
searched for the missing swimmers. Two (2) bodies were located by USCG,
approximately half-a-mile north of the campsite. Company 7 personnel in Sea-Legs 7
were able to recover the bodies and take them to the Miloli‘i Boat ramp, where they were
turned over to HPD.
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Incident # 13927 - 7/13/21 Kamuela View Wildland
Fire. On or about 2058 hours, the Department was
dispatched to a runaway wildland fire at the Kamuela View
Subdivision. Fire was above the community being blown by
strong winds into the subdivision. No structures lost and fire
was estimated to be 200 acres in size.
Incident # 14199 - 7/17/21 DKI 43.5mm
Wildland Fire. On or about 1430 hours, Battalion
Chief 2, Company 9, 16, 14, 50, Chopper 1 & 2,
five (5) Dozers, three (3) Black Hawk helicopters
responded for brush fire that engulfed
approximately 1800-2000 acres. Initial operations
with DOFAW and PTA took two (2) days to contain fire.
Incident # 15240 - 7/30/21 Mana Road Wildland Fire. A fire which originated adjacent
to Mana Road, was quickly spread by 20 to 25 mph winds in dry fuel, which spread into
the community of Pu’u Kapu Farm
Lots. The intensity of the fire and
strong winds fanned the flames in the
direction of Waiki’i Ranch and
Waikoloa. This Multi-day and Multi-
Agency incident stressed all
resources to bring the fire under
control. Three (3) structures were lost
in the Pu u Kapu Farm Lots subdivision. Over 40,000 acres burned.
Community Outreach
July was a busy outreach month with support of Fireworks
permitting and the annual aerial displays.
The new Big Dog wildland engine was blessed on the 31st of
July at Station 15. This was a donation by the Sayre
Foundation. The ceremony was performed by Kahu Daniel
Akaka.
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BUDGET
FY 2021-2022
FY 2021-2022 - County Budget:
Total spending through July 31st is at 13.61% with 8.33% of the fiscal year completed.
Salaries and Wages
Closed at 13.48% Fire and 12.17% EMS
OCE expenditures closed at 21.28% in Fire, and 7.59% in EMS
State Funded Budget Items:
EMS reimbursements for FY 20-21 current to January for reimbursements. Remainder of
the year is in progress and should be submitted by July 31st.
Alternative Funding and Grants
SAFER Grant – Grant submitted for six (6) Captain Positions and three (3) FF
positions. No updates.
National Forest Service Grant (50/50 matching for $50,000).
a. Submitted for reimbursement for FY 18-19 (Received).
b. Submitted for reimbursement for FY 19-20 (Pending).
c. Submitted for reimbursement for FY 20-21 (Pending).
d. Working on application for FY 21-22 (Completed and Submitted).
FEMA AFG for Covid-19 – grant period extended another year. No Updates.
FEMA AFG for 2021 has been completed and submitted we have submitted for extractors
for all of our fire stations. No updates.
Grant from State of Hawai’i, Department of Health, Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Division. Training has started.
Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) and the Flood Mitigation
Assistance Grant opens on 30 September 2021 thru 28 January 2022 for submittals.
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HUMAN RESOURCES
Internal Recruitment within Department:
a. Fire Captain (Emergency Operations) – Pending scheduling of interview/assessment
center.
b. Fire Equipment Operator – 21 candidates passed the written exam. Pending
interview/assessment center.
c. Fire Prevention Inspector I – Pending scheduling of interview/assessment center.
d. Fire Rescue Specialist – 16 candidates referred to participate in the Physical
Assessment Exercise. PAE to be announced.
e. Fire/Hazardous Materials Specialist – Fire Fighters Sean H. Tamura and
Waylen Towata promoted effective August 1, 2021.
f. Fire Radio Dispatcher III – Fire Radio Dispatchers II Richard Arias and Sandee Ozeki
promoted effective August 1, 2021.
g. Human Resources Assistant – Account Clerk Audra Paiva promoted effective August 1,
2021.
Internal Recruitment within the County:
a. Accountant I – One (1) temporary position opened on August 8, 2021, and will close on
August 17, 2021.
b. Account Clerk – Submitted Request to fill-form for temporary position.
Open-Competitive Recruitment:
a. Fire Fighter Recruit – 18 FFR candidates hired on August 2, 2021.
b. Fire Radio Dispatcher I – Five (5) applicants received conditional offers. Medical
exams have been scheduled. Tentative start date is September 1, 2021.
Classification:
a. Reallocation of Prevention Bureau positions are still in process.
b. Two (2) Water Safety Officer II (1/2T) positions temporarily reallocated to Water Safety
Officer I (1/2T) effective August 1, 2021.
c. One (1) Fire Radio Dispatcher I reinstated to Fire Radio Dispatcher II effective August
3, 2021.
Employee Development:
a. Reasonable Suspicion Training July 26, 2021 – Four (4) employees attended.
b. New Hire Orientation August 2, 2021– 18 Fire Fighter Recruits attended.
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EMERGENCY OPERATIONS DIVISION
Total Calls for CY 2021
Type July YTD
Fire 109 589
Rescue and EMS 1,824 11,045
Hazardous Cond. (no fire) 27 136
Service Call 188 1,191
Good Intent calls 347 2,155
Fire Alarm / False calls 34 187
Severe Weather 1 10
Special Incident Type 2 2
Totals 2,193 15,321
BATTALION 1, East Hawai i:
Apparatus updates:
a. Rosenbauer build (BT-17), No recent updates from vendor.
b. Recent discussions with the Dept. of Finance to identify the next units that need to be
replaced through our apparatus replacement program. Next purchase anticipated for
FY 2023.
c. Recently working with Council Member Ashley Kierkiewicz and the Planning
Department to purchase a new SCBA filling compressor, tow vehicle and spare tanks
with PGV funds.
The recently donated Wildland Firefighting apparatus has been working out really well for our
Wildfire responses. They have been heavily used and relied on at the recent fires that we
had.
Working on acquiring a trailer for recently donated UTV by the Sayre Foundation for Capt.
Cook Fire Station. Personnel completing ATV familiarization training.
Incidents:
July 1, 2021, Inc# 12845; Fire: Upper Puna, District 5, Vehicle Fires, 3-vehicles on
fire. No injuries or fatalities reported.
July 2, 2021, Inc# 12939, Fire: Upper Puna, District 5, Structure Fire, 600 square foot
residence, no occupants at scene.
July 10, 2021, Inc# 13646, Rescue: H m kua, District 17, Fall from Cliff, diver fell from
cliff approximately 50 ft. into ocean. Chopper 1 picked out of water with deployed rescue
swimmer and brought to M01 pulseless and apneic. One (1) fatality. No other reported
injuries.
July 13, 2021, Inc# 13881, Fire: Hilo, District 3, Structure Fire, front lanai area of
single-story residence, no occupants at the time of the fire. No injuries or fatalities
reported.
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BATTALION 2, West Hawai i:
Apparatus updates:
Station 15 received a new Big Dog wildland fire response vehicle.
Incidents:
July 1, 2021, Inc# 12861; HazMat: C07, BC2, and C021 assisted HPD and ATF with
health monitoring for a possible drug lab in Kona Apartments.
July 1, 2021, Inc# 12909; Fire: Brush Fire Hwy.190-13mm. C016, BC2, C09, C014.
July 2, 2021, Inc# 12943; HazMat: Hazmat spill at Hwy. 190 and Waikoloa Rd. C016,
BC2, and C021 assisted with clean-up and decon of 100- gallons of corrosive substance
on Hwy.190.
July 9, 2021, Inc# 13590; Rescue: Missing Swimmers Humuhumu Point in District 20,
C020, BC2, C07, USCG. Two (2) bodies located by USCG, approximately
.5 mile North. Two (2) male bodies recovered by C07 personnel using Sea-Leg 7 and
taken to Miloli‘i Boat ramp and turned over to HPD.
July 13, 2021, Inc# 13927 Fire: Kamuela View Brush Fire.
July 17, 2021, Inc# 14199 Fire: DKI 43.5mm Brush Fire. BC2, C09, C016, C014, C1,
C2, five (5) Dozers, three (3) black hawk choppers responded for brush fire that engulfed
approximately 1800-2000 acres. Initial operations with DOFAW and PTA took two (2) days
to contain fire.
July 20, 2021, Inc# 14433 Fire: Hwy. 190 Brush Fire 4mm. Companies 9, 16, 14, BC2,
C1, C2, & volunteers responded for a brush fire Makai of Hwy.190, contained by
responding units to four (4) acres.
Hazardous Materials Response:
Confined Space Training scheduled in October for all HazMat personnel.
Working on potential CAMEO training opportunity for HazMat personnel.
Ocean Safety:
Water Safety Officer I (WSO I) vacancies: Working on filling additional vacancies for
WSO’s with Summer hires as of August 15, 2021. Two (2) positions to be filled.
Street LG program for Ocean Safety incident reporting preparation continuing.
RWC procurement status: Still awaiting sleds and mounting hardware. The second
SKI anticipated for possible delivery in August.
Storage container for Punalu‘u Ocean Safety equipment storage has been
delivered. Working on shelving for storage of equipment.
Purchased a replacement ATV trailer for Punalu‘u.
Working on retrofitting and securing the new Office trailer for Kahalu‘u that we received
from State Highways. This one is twice as big as the previous office.
Working on repairs for H puna, Kahalu‘u and La‘aloa PA systems.
New PA system for Kua Bay has been requisitioned. Awaiting installation by vendor.
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Rescue:
Rescue Boat 7 (Radon) impeller repairs have been completed and boat is back in
service.
Rescue Boat 7-7 (Force) awaiting scheduling availability with Force marine. Status
quo on scheduling with Force Marine.
Confined Space Training for Rescue Personnel has been scheduled for October.
SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION
Training Bureau:
The 50th Fire Fighter Recruit Class is underway with 18 recruits.
All operations personnel have been assigned virtual training to prevent vehicle
accidents.
Annual HAZMAT Technician retraining has been assigned virtually to meet OSHA
requirements.
Application to provide Confined Space Rescue training for all assigned Fire Rescue
Specialists and Fire HAZMAT Specialists has been submitted and targeted to take
place in October 2021.
Vehicle extrication demonstration with Genesis Rescue Systems scheduled for this
month in Hilo, Kona, Waimea, and South Kohala.
BC Springer and Captain Roback attended Mental Health First Aid Training.
All Training Bureau Personnel and Recruit Training Officers attended forcible entry
training at the Hilo ARFF station.
Volunteer Bureau:
Continued printing and distributing PAS (Personnel Accountability System) ID
cards for volunteers.
Began volunteer portable and mobile radio updates. Anticipated completion by end
of next month.
Added one (1) new volunteer to Company 8-A Pa’auilo. We currently have 16
volunteer candidates in various stages in their recruitment process.
This month’s training has been focused on portable fire extinguisher training and
safety. Training consisted of a class followed by a hands-on drill using portable fire
extinguishers.
Fire Prevention Bureau:
Fire Prevention Bureau completed the 4th of July events. This would include all
fireworks shows. All events were successful without any major incidents.
The Fire Prevention Bureau participated in training for the new electronic plan
review system.
The Bureau has continued working on reviewing plans and site inspections for
various large construction projects e.g., Kona Village, Waikoloa Plaza, and Kona
Brew to mention a few.
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One of our Prevention Bureau staff attended a 6-day class at the National Fire
Academy entitled Managing Effective Fire Prevention Programs.
The Fire Prevention Bureau investigated two (2) fires.
Maintenance Shop
Apparatus and equipment repair
Sixty-seven (67) total repairs/service.
Seventeen (17) service calls or trouble calls.
Seven (7) contracted out and tows.
Received new Medic 14.
Auxiliary Services Bureau
Still working with the Training Bureau to get all recruits sized and outfitted with gear
for the start of recruit training.
Fire Radio Dispatcher III (FRDIII) recruitment and interviews were completed and
finalized. FRDII Sandee Ozeki and FRDII Richard Arias were promoted to FRDIII.
Fire Radio Dispatcher I (FRD I) assessments and interviews have been completed.
Final candidates are being sent letters of acceptance.
A/BC Kelly Minami continuing to learn about the procurement process.
A/BC Minami attended a radio programming class.
Assisted with acceptance and inventory of donated equipment from Honolulu Fire.
Capital Improvement Projects:
1. Hawai‘i County Emergency Communications Center
a. Anbe Aruga & Ishizu is the architect.
b. Hensel Phelps is the contractor.
c. Not finished with permitting review and plan approval. During this period DPW
is reviewing the drawings to ensure that construction material and installation is
coordinated and appropriate.
d. No official start date.
2. Waiakea Fire Station Electrical Upgrade
a. Engineering Partners Inc (EPI) is the engineering firm.
b. HELCO application for service upgrade submitted on June 28, 2021.
c. Preparing to submit for building permit.
3. P hala Fire Station
a. Engineering Partners is the architect/engineer.
b. Contract and funding approved. Awaiting schedule by consultant.
4. Hawaiian Paradise Park Fire Station Dormitory Addition
a. Department of Public Works (DPW) is the lead. EPI is the supporting
engineering firm for mechanical and electrical.
b. In receipt of civil and plumbing proposal. According to the Purchasing Division,
we have to go thru procurement again for the civil engineering portion.
c. Preparing additional (supplemental) services contract for EPI for plumbing.
d. DPW will submit for permitting while we are awaiting the contract for the civil
component.
5. Central Fire Station Rehabilitation Project
a. Scott Fleming is the Architect.
b. The design contract has been approved and funding for the design phase has
been allotted.
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6. Kailua Fire Station
a. Will be purchasing a new generator through emergency procurement.
b. Civil Defense will loan us a generator. DPW to install temporary transfer
switch.
c. Electrical permit will be required.
7. Waikoloa Fire Station/ Civil Defense Antenna
a. DPW is the architect/engineer.
b. The design is complete. Drawings are in the pre-final stage and being reviewed
by project coordinator.
8. Kaumana Fire Station Plumbing Improvements
a. Inaba Engineering is the engineering firm
b. Design contract approved and we are waiting on the schedule for the design
phase.
c. Survey to start in about 3 weeks (end of July).
d. Inaba will prepare schedule and submit.
9. Kaumana Fire Station Improvements
a. Scott Fleming is the Architect.
b. The contract has been awarded.
c. Awaiting funding.
10. Waiakea Fire Station Improvement
a. Scott Fleming is the Architect.
b. The contract has been awarded and we are waiting for funding for the design
phase.
Chief’s Briefing and New Business:
1. Transitioning Fire Commission meeting to Council Chambers:
a. Need to set up training for sites
2. EMS Downgrade/Paramedic Shortage:
a. Pro-pay being reviewed by DHR, working on a formal routing through Diane
Noda.
3. Fire Prevention Statistics:
a. Will be transitioning to 8-hour schedules as of August 16th.
b. Moving to Electronic plan review.
c. Office re-org in Hilo location.
4. Currently starting the fiscal needs departmental analysis in preparation for the start
of FY 22-23 planning.
5. Central Fire Station:
a. Property management looking for alternate location.
b. Looking at bringing in Forensic Engineer to determine long term stability of
building.
6. MDT units, data on scene, GIS, and ICS
End of Report