HomeMy WebLinkAbout05 FIRE CHIEFS REPORT FY21-22 NOVEMBERHawai’i Fire Department
kazuo.todd@hawaiicounty.gov 808-932-2900
25 Aupuni St, Hilo, HI, 96720
FIRE CHIEFS REPORT
Communication
works for those
who work at it
John Powell
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
TO THE FIRE COMMISSION ______________________________________ 3
Can You Hear Me Now? ___________________________________________________ 3
Highlights _______________________________________________________________ 4
Community Outreach ______________________________________________________ 4
BUDGET ______________________________________________________ 5
FY 2021-2022 ___________________________________________________________ 5
Alternative Funding and Grants ______________________________________________ 5
HUMAN RESOURCES ___________________________________________ 6
Internal Recruitment within Department: _______________________________________ 6
Open-Competitive Recruitment: _____________________________________________ 6
Classification: ____________________________________________________________ 6
Labor Relations: __________________________________________________________ 6
EMERGENCY OPERATIONS DIVISION _____________________________ 7
Battalion 1, East Hawai i ___________________________________________________ 7
Battalion 2 West Hawai i ___________________________________________________ 8
Special Operations: _______________________________________________________ 9
SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION __________________________________ 10
Emergency Medical Services Bureau: ________________________________________ 10
Training Bureau: _________________________________________________________ 10
Volunteer Training: _______________________________________________________ 11
Fire Prevention Bureau: ___________________________________________________ 11
Fire Auxiliary Services: ___________________________________________________ 12
Maintenance Shop: ______________________________________________________ 13
Capital Improvement Projects: ______________________________________________ 13
LAND FOR A NEW STATION? ____________________________________ 14
AUDIT UNDERWAY ____________________________________________ 14
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TO THE FIRE COMMISSION
Can You Hear Me Now?
The hallmark of any good organization is the ability to communicate clearly and effectively. The
ability of management to articulate its goals, objectives, and ethics helps to secure the buy in
of its employees and the streamlining of efforts. Communications do not happen by accident.
They need to be planned for and routinely reviewed to ensure that the process is meeting
expectations. This feedback loop helps create synergy in the sharing of information.
There are several initiatives that the Fire Department is taking to address these issues. In the
upcoming months, several efforts are underway to solicit and engage the Department. The
Administration is working to have a more horizontal model of communications which will
motivate greater inter-departmental interactions.
Coffee with the Chief – One of the first initiatives will be held in December. This will be
a livestreamed conversation with the Fire Chief. A one question survey monkey was
sent out to the Department to get an idea of topics the employees would like addressed.
The response to this request was prompt and telling. There were several issues that
were reoccurring in the responses and warranted explanation. It also highlighted where
there were gaps in the information distribution. The planned Coffee with the Chief is
scheduled for 11 December.
Online Surveys – The Fire Chief’s office intends to utilize this format for future polling of
the Department. These quick surveys allow the Department to anonymously respond to
queries and pulse checks of current programs. This provides invaluable and unfiltered
feedback that can be utilized to hone programs and make changes as needed.
Station Visitations – There is no better way to grasp the challenges of the personnel than
to spend some time in their shoes. To this end, it is the objective of the administration
to get to all of the stations on all shifts annually. This provides the opportunity for the
Firefighters and Ocean Safety Personnel to talk directly with the Fire Chief. The
information that is shared at these meetings are candid and held in a no fault
atmosphere.
Monthly Fire Commission Report – One of the foundational values this administration
has stressed is transparency. Every member of the Department has direct access to the
monthly Fire Commissioners Report. This keeps the membership informed on what is
being reported and the types of information that is being tracked.
These are just a few of the programs that are in effect to help foster better communication. Use
of social media, streaming of fire commission meetings, and in station status boards are also
being looked at as ways to bridge the communication gap. A well informed staff, that
understands the vision and principles of the leadership will result in a more efficient and resilient
organization. This will lead to a better service provided and prove to have a positive impact on
the lifesaving mission.
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Highlights
The following are the highlights from November 2021. The complete list of responses will be
provided in the Emergency Operations Division Update.
Hawaii Island and HFD will be hosting the next
Hawaii Fire Chiefs Association Conference. The
dates are December 15-18 at the Fairmont Orchid in
Waikoloa
The Fire Chief attended a leadership meeting with
directors from across the County of Hawaii. One of
the results from the leadership meeting is that we
will be arranging for the Mayor, Managing Director,
and Deputy Managing Director to be firefighters for
a day to learn more about the day to day operations
and needs of the Hawaii Fire Department.
Telecommunicator reclassification. We are currently in talks with the Department of
Human Resources as they look at reclassifying the dispatcher position for our 911
telecommunicator to better match their current job duties. This has seen a lot of
progress and we hope to have a concrete implementation date sometime at the
beginning of next year.
Community Outreach
November 9th was the virtual Hawaii Fire Chiefs
Association Convention. Maui Fire Department and
Chief Brad Ventura conducted an 8 hour virtual
conference with many presenters discussing
pertinent topics in the fire industry.
Visited Station 8 (Honokaa) to wish a well-deserved
retirement to Captain Glen Sumida who retired at the
end of November.
Of the 27th of November the department turned up at
Bayfront for a reverse parade where we did sign
waving to honor First Responders.
The new dispatch center construction continues, and
we met this month to finalize details on the IT layout,
raised flooring, and video walls.
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BUDGET
FY 2021-2022
FY 2021-2022 - County Budget:
Total spending through November 30th is at 49.22% with 41.66% of the fiscal year
completed.
Salaries and Wages
Closed at 50.54% Fire and 44.79% EMS.
OCE expenditures closed at 88.30% in Fire (Mana Road expenditures skew percent, this
will probably be adjusted in future reports), and 39.93% in EMS.
State Funded Budget Items:
EMS reimbursements for FY 20-21 have been completed. Authorization for this year’s
reimbursements have not been given, but paperwork is being completed.
FY 2022-2023
Deanna Sako has given approval to a rebuild of the entire HFD budget. This will result in a
renumbering of line items from 5221-8 to 6221-8 and a realignment of line items under
program categories to better track and account for expenditures versus outcomes.
Alternative Funding and Grants
SAFER Grant – Grant submitted for six (6) Captain Positions and three (3) FF positions will
be starting on February 1st.
National Forest Service Grant (50/50 matching for $50,000).
Submitted for reimbursement for FY 19-20 (Pending).
Submitted for reimbursement for FY 20-21 (Pending).
Working on application for FY 21-22 (approved and being expended).
o An additional $147k has been granted for FY 21-22
o We will be pursuing the purchase of a brush truck and fire shelters
FEMA AFG for Covid-19 – grant period extended another year. No Updates.
FEMA AFG for 2022 has opened, we will be submitting for extractors for all of our fire
stations.
Grant from State of Hawai’i, Department of Health, Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Division. Training has started.
CDBG-MIT: HFD has been allocated 1.8 million and will be pursuing the purchase of an
incident command vehicle, brush trucks, and a trailer.
HMGP – Post Fire Grant. FM-5404-HI is set at $584,083.00 for post fire recovery.
Currently looking at applicable uses of this grant.
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HUMAN RESOURCES
Internal Recruitment within Department:
Fire Captain (Emergency Operations) – Fire Equipment Operator Michael Jackson and
Fire Equipment Operator Tyler Nishimura promoted effective December 1, 2021.
Fire/Emergency Medical Services Specialist III – Fire/Emergency Medical Services
Specialist II Kilipaki Kanae promoted effective December 1, 2021.
Fire Equipment Operator – Interview and assessment center was held on November
29-December 2, 2021.
Fire Rescue Specialist – 16 candidates referred to participate in the Physical
Assessment Exercise. PAE to be announced.
Internal Recruitment within the County:
Information Systems Analyst IV – No internal applicants. Submitted a request for open
competitive recruitment.
Open-Competitive Recruitment:
Fire Fighter Recruit – 15 FFR candidates completed medical appointments, hearing
exam, and back x-ray. Formal offers to be sent out in early January 2022. Targeted
hire date is February 1, 2022.
Classification:
Allocation of six Fire Captain positions effective February 1, 2022. Two positions
awarded under the SAFER Grant. Four positions were included in FY 07-08 Budget
Ordinance No. 07-82.
Allocation of three Fire Fighter positions effective February 1, 2022. Positions
awarded under the SAFER Grant.
Labor Relations:
Verbal Reprimand – Five verbal reprimands for noncompliance with COVID-19 testing
requirements.
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EMERGENCY OPERATIONS DIVISION
Total Calls for CY 2021
Type November YTD
Fire 94 968
Rescue and EMS 1,681 17,956
Hazardous Cond. (no fire) 9 197
Service Call 158 1,896
Good Intent calls 315 3,478
Fire Alarm / False calls 45 317
Severe Weather 1 12
Special Incident Type 0 5
Other 70 74
Totals 2,373 24,903
Updates:
PGV fund SCBA compressor procurement: no changes, awaiting community meeting
with Councilmember Kierkiewicz.
Bid awarded for internal SCBA compressor purchase. Timeline for delivery is
anticipated in Jan-Feb 2022.
Post Incident Analysis for the Mana Rd Brush Fire scheduled for December 8.
CDBG-MIT grant funding update: Working with vendors to build out specs for
apparatus.
Apparatus updates
a) Rosenbauer build (BT-17), Status Quo: still in the body shop for paint issues.
Ongoing mitigation planning for Honuapo Brush Fire scene. Awaiting scheduling of
fence install with DPW.
Battalion 1, East Hawai i
Incidents:
October 29, 2021, Inc#22426, Reconnaissance: Mauna Loa/District 4, Aircraft crash
site, unknown injuries/fatalities.
November 3, 2021, Inc#22801, Fire: Ainaloa/District 10, Structure fire, 1 injury / no
fatalities
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November 5, 2021, Inc#22987,
Rescue: Piihonua/District 4,
Drowning, 1-fatality.
November 3, 2021, Inc#23005,
Fire: Fern Forest/District 19,
Structure and vehicle fires, no
injuries/fatalities.
November 6, 2021, Inc#23040,
Hazmat: N. Aohoku Pl, Subaru
Telescope/District 1, fire alarm w/
suppression system release. No
signs of fire. Building ventilated,
no injuries or fatalities.
November 7, 2021, Inc#23140,
Fire: 505 Kilauea Avenue/District
1, structure fire, no injuries/fatalities.
November 10, 2021, Inc#23348, Rescue: Waimanu Valley/District 8, Injured Hiker
airlifted.
November 13, 2021, Inc#23584, Fire: Keawe St, smoldering fire to business rear
entryway. Extinguished and no injuries or fatalities.
November 21, 2021, Inc#24252, Rescue/Recovery: Makuu Cliffs at Hawaiian Paradise
Park/ District 18, two swimmers in distress, one body recovered, and one swimmer
rescued uninjured.
November 22, 2021, Inc#24287, Rescue: Beach Dr at Hawaiian Paradise Park/District
18, Person fell from cliffside, High angle rescue, 1 person injured.
November 22, 2021, Inc#24316, Recovery: Shoreline below Pa`auhau Camp, 1
fatality, body recovery from ocean, person missing since 11/20/21. No other injuries or
fatalities.
November 24, 2021, Inc#24522, Fire: Haina Camp/District 8, Structure Fire, no
injuries or fatalities.
November 26, 2021, Inc#24681, Fire: Nanawale Estates/District 10, Structure fire, no
injuries or fatalities.
Battalion 2 West Hawai i
Incidents:
November 19, 2021, Inc#024037, Aircraft Emergency: Puakea
Subdivision District 15. Cessna made emergency landing, 4
souls, and no injuries.
November 28, 2021 Inc# 024784, Brush Fire: South of Waiemi
Street and Kawaihae Road. 33 Acres no structures involved.
November 29, 2021, Inc# 24889,
Brush Fire: Kawaihae Rd. 563 acres
from Waiemi St. down to Sunshine helicopters. No structures
were lost, and property saved at Sunshine Helicopters
included 1 helicopter, 2 fuel trucks, and 1000sq ft office
building.
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Special Operations:
Hazmat:
CAMEO training for Hazmat personnel scheduled. January 18-21, 2022. Funding
requested through the LEPC to cover costs of instructor and OT.
Communications headsets (2) purchased for Kaumana. Replace old and inoperable
units.
Ocean Safety:
Street LG program going live on Dec 1
Continue to Plan for RWC Operator Training for Water Safety Officers. Working with
USLA for program development and certification.
Pohoiki storage container has been relocated to the Pahoa Fire Station. This was in
conjunction with the termination of overnight security services at Isaac Hale Beach
Park.
a) Used truck acquired through DPW for Pohoiki UTV transport to and from IHBP and
S-10.
New utility trailer also purchased to transport UTV for Pohoiki
Rescue:
Rescue Boat 2 (Force) engine replacement. No new updates, awaiting processing of
requisition.
Reached out to Force Marine for RB7-7 repairs. Still have not received the new fuel
tanks.
Working with Sealegs rep for an annual maintenance of the Sealegs-7 vessel.
Working with Rescue Captains to build out an equipment replacement calendar to
better track and budget needs.
Working on building Fire Rescue Specialist Assessment.
Sayer Foundation:
Funding of additional Apparatus.
a) Discussions ongoing for a new Engine at South Kohala. Building out specifications
for the apparatus. Pierce Mfg. chosen for the build by the donor.
b) Received the new donated Tanker apparatus, awaiting registration of vehicle.
Discussions on going for determination on assignment. Possibly Volunteer
Company 9-B in Kamuela-Kanehoa
Continue to await the availability of a new Watercraft from local vendors. Timeline has
been pushed back to possibly February 2022.
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SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION
Emergency Medical Services Bureau:
Fire Medical Specialist II Vern Hara has been promoted to the rank of Battalion Chief
and is assigned to the FASO position. We are very proud of BC Hara and thank him
for all that he has done for EMS while serving in the EMS Bureau.
The EMS Bureau has conducted a Fire Medical Specialist III promotion assessment
center. We had five (5) personnel apply for the position. FMS II Kilipaki Kanae ranked
number one on the assessment and will be promoted to the FMS III position on
December 1, 2021.
We are happy to announce that our Fall 2021 paramedic class has successfully
completed the Kapiolani Community College paramedic program. They are set to take
their National Registry psychomotor testing on December 3, 2021. Six (6) of these
individuals are currently in the FMS II orientation portion of their training and have all
received their temporary state paramedic license.
On November 8th, the DCCA began accepting recertification applications. We are
working on the reimbursements for our personnel and assisting individuals that have
been selected to be audited by the DCCA.
With the successful execution of our latest budget modification, we have removed the
NTE status for our third FMS III position in the EMS Bureau.
The EMS Bureau has been assisting with the KCC EMT registration process for the
50th fire recruit class. We have also started collecting titers paperwork and filtering
through vaccination records from the 51st fire recruit class.
The EMS Bureau has been assisting with EMT clinical coordination with multiple
different agencies. These agencies include a civilian KCC EMT class, HCC fire
science national registry EMT class, and reciprocity civilian ride along requests.
We have started working on our annual State of Hawai‘i Ambulance License renewal
process. The first step for this renewal process entails auditing all frontline vehicles
and the aeromedical helicopter for chapter 72 compliance. .
Training Bureau:
Hosted county auditors to discuss
areas of concern and potential
improvement. Working with lead
auditor Tyler Benner to provide an
accurate report to the County of
Hawai’i. We have invited the auditors
to return in December to complete this
task.
50th Firefighter Recruits completed
two service projects including
Higashihara park restoration and
COVID-19 PPE distribution with the
Hawai’i Dental Association.
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50th Firefighter Recruits completed Hazardous Materials Operations Pro-Board
certifications, Fire Ground Survival, and Rapid Intervention Team (Down Firefighter
Rescue) training.
Collaborating with HFD Human Resources to hire the 51st Firefighter Recruit Class for
increased staffing in Emergency Operations. This will improve our ability to provide
emergency response to our community and comply with the recent Staffing for
Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant award (SAFER). BC Hara is assisting
us in acquiring compliant structural firefighting personal protective equipment for this
class.
Completed off-road tender (formerly off-road tanker) task book to ensure safe,
effective, consistent training and operations. This will be for Waimea, South Kohala,
Waikoloa, North Kohala, and Pahala tender operators. Once approved by
Administration, completion will be required for all off-road tender operators.
Four (4) sets of hydraulic powered vehicle extrication tools have been donated by the
Honolulu Fire Department. These units will serve as back up units for Emergency
Operations and for recruit training.
Genesis battery powered vehicle extrication tools remain on island and continue to be
requested for trial by fire companies.
Volunteer Training:
All Volunteer companies given a class on personal
protective equipment care and maintenance followed by
a wet drill.
Volunteer mobile and portable radio update project
has been completed.
Submitted preliminary Volunteer Training Section
budget for fiscal year 2022-2023.
Finalized training schedule for 2022.
Rough draft for new Volunteer Training Captain
Guidebook and guidelines for new volunteer fire fighter
response.
On-boarded new Volunteer Training Captain Michael
Jackson to replace outgoing Captain Brysen Heidenfeldt.
Conducted area beautification and monument
enhancement for the CPT Mann Memorial.
Fire Prevention Bureau:
The Fire Prevention Bureau investigated four (4) structure fires.
a. Two (2) of the fires were in the Pahoa district with one of them identified as an
incendiary cause and the other cause was undetermined.
b. One (1) fire was in the Honokaa district. The cause of the fire is currently
undetermined.
c. One (1) fire was in the Kailua district, fireworks related, and determined to be
accidental.
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The Fire Prevention Bureau conducted six (6) Public Education presentations and
reviewed seventy-five (75) plans.
Inspections are as follows:
Fireworks Site and Storage: 4
Certificate of Occupancy: 8
Commercial: 85
Re-inspections, Commercial: 52
Educational: 8
Re-inspections, Educational: 2
Fire Protection System
Acceptance Testing: 48
Complaint Investigation: 10
DOH Ag Burn Site Inspection: 0
AST/UST/LPG Site Inspection: 18
Tent Site Inspection: 3
Total Inspections: 238
Met with Department of Water Supply (DWS) Operations Chief Greg Goodale
regarding DWS state of water supply and concerns. DWS will come up with a plan to
change out several old fire hydrants on upper Walua road in Kona which has 2 ½”
discharge openings to new fire hydrants with 4” discharge openings. This situation
arose due to a large structure fire in September within District 12, which hampered fire
suppression operations. Also looking at implementing an electronically based system
to expedite the reporting process for faulty fire hydrants that are damaged and/or not
operating after conducting fire hydrant detail.
Fire Chief Kazuo Todd promoted Fire Captain Palani Kurashige to Battalion Chief of
the Fire Prevention Bureau on November 1st.
Fire Chief Kazuo Todd promoted Fire Inspector I Royd Henderson and Fire Inspector I
Edward Kawasaki to Lieutenant Fire Inspector II positions on November 1st. Both will
be responsible for prioritizing plan reviews. The County’s new electronic plan review
system continues to be a challenge, however, the County is actively working on
addressing these challenges.
Fire Auxiliary Services:
The personal protective equipment decontamination and refurbishing project has
begun and there have been many positive reviews.
Due to extreme shortages in the Fire Control Communication Center, we have altered
their schedule in December to be comprised of two (2) personnel per shift.
FEMA approved our request to amend our Assistance to Fire Firefighter Grant award.
The grant has been amended to now include P-100 masks and filters for all career and
volunteer personnel. The procurement process has been initiated.
We are still looking into alternatives for a replacement program for TradeGekco, our
current inventory system.
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Maintenance Shop:
Apparatus and equipment repair
Eighty-three (83) total repairs/service.
Twenty-six (26) service calls or trouble calls.
Twelve (12) contracted out and tows.
Received three (3) used Ford trucks from Department of Public Works that will be used
for Operations, Support Services, and Ocean Safety Divisions.
Capital Improvement Projects:
Hawai‘i County Emergency Communications Center
o Ground Preparation has commenced on this project
Waiakea Fire Station Electrical Upgrade
o Engineering Partners Inc (EPI) is the engineering firm.
o HELCO application for service upgrade submitted on June 28, 2021.
P hala Fire Station
o Engineering Partners is the architect/engineer.
o Contract and funding approved. Awaiting schedule by consultant.
Hawaiian Paradise Park Fire Station Dormitory Addition
o Department of Public Works (DPW) is the lead. EPI is the supporting the
engineering firm for mechanical and electrical.
o In receipt of civil and plumbing proposal. According to the Purchasing Division,
we have to go thru procurement again for the civil engineering portion.
Central Fire Station Rehabilitation Project
o Scott Fleming is the Architect.
o The design contract has been approved and funding for the design phase has been
allotted.
Kailua Fire Station
o Will be purchasing a new generator through emergency procurement.
o Civil Defense will loan us a generator. DPW to install temporary transfer switch.
Waikoloa Fire Station/ Civil Defense Antenna
o DPW is the architect/engineer.
o The design is complete. Drawings are in the pre-final stage and being reviewed by
project coordinator.
Kaumana Fire Station Plumbing Improvements
o Inaba Engineering is the engineering firm
o Design contract approved and we are waiting on the schedule for the design
phase.
Kaumana Fire Station Improvements
o Scott Fleming is the Architect.
o The contract has been awarded.
o Awaiting funding.
Waiakea Fire Station Improvement
o Scott Fleming is the Architect.
o The contract has been awarded and we are waiting for funding for the design
phase.
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LAND FOR A NEW STATION?
Central Fire Station has long been
in need of serious maintenance and
repair, but after much consideration
the consensus has been to relocate
the station out of the Tsunami
Inundation Area, and rebuild to
current standards. To this end we
have been searching for a place to
relocate to. Currently we are
considering several plots of land,
with the most likely to be a plot off
of Mohouli, west of where our new
combined 911 dispatch center is
being built. The parcel is owned by the State of Hawaii (DLNR) and initial discussions have
been positive and we are looking to formally ask for three to five acres this month for the
relocation of Central Fire Station. The Matsuura property above is also being considered, and
the new road that will connect Mohouli to Ponohawai is in orange.
AUDIT UNDERWAY
Tyler Benner is the new Hawaii County Auditor. Recently he
has been seen touring our Fire Stations as he and his team
put together an independent audit of the Hawaii Fire
Department. This audit was in part initiated by Chief Todd after
meeting with Tyler as he went around introducing himself to
the different county directors. The goal of the audit is to have
an independent report that can be used to shed light on the
financial state and various needs of the department. It is the
hope of Chief Todd that this report will assist us in setting a foundation of where we stand
good and bad as we chart a direction forward.
End of Report