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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09 FIRE CHIEFS REPORT FY21-22 MARCHHawai’i Fire Department fire@hawaiicounty.gov 808-932-2900 25 Aupuni St, Hilo, HI, 96720 FIRE CHIEFS REPORT ALONE, WE CAN DO SO LITTLE; TOGETHER, WE CAN DO SO MUCH Hellen Keller P a g e | 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS TO THE FIRE COMMISSION ______________________________________ 3 Community ______________________________________________________________ 3 Highlights ______________________________________________________ 4 Outreach _______________________________________________________________ 4 BUDGET ______________________________________________________ 5 FY 2021-2022 ___________________________________________________________ 5 Alternative Funding and Grants ______________________________________________ 6 HUMAN RESOURCES ___________________________________________ 7 Internal Recruitment within Department _______________________________________ 7 Internal Recruitment within the County ________________________________________ 7 Open-Competitive Recruitment ______________________________________________ 7 Labor Relations __________________________________________________________ 7 EMERGENCY OPERATIONS DIVISION _____________________________ 8 Total Calls for CY 2021 ____________________________________________________ 8 Updates: ________________________________________________________________ 8 Battalion 1, East Hawaiʻi ___________________________________________________ 9 Battalion 2 West Hawaiʻi ___________________________________________________ 9 Special Operations: ______________________________________________________ 10 SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION __________________________________ 11 Emergency Medical Services Branch: ________________________________________ 11 Training Branch: _________________________________________________________ 11 Volunteer Training Section: ________________________________________________ 12 Fire Prevention Branch: ___________________________________________________ 13 Logistics, Emergency Communication, and Vehicle Maintenance Sections: __________ 14 P a g e | 3 TO THE FIRE COMMISSION Community Simply defined, a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common. It is additionally described as, a feeling or fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitude, interests, and goals. Within the Fire Service and the public we serve, we commonly refer to our customers as the community. What we commonly fail to do is define our community. Every Community is a bit different and is comprised with specific and challenging needs. As a response agency, if we have not yet identified our communities (customers), we cannot fully anticipate their needs and desires. This can be detrimental to the buy-in of the public and the proper resourcing of the anticipated services provided. Normally, the communities and their needs are defined through the Community Risk Assessment. This process helps codify the community’s expectations of the Department. One of the ways to bridge the knowledge gap of what the Department feels the communities’ needs are and the actual expectations, is to have a robust outreach program. This is opportunities to bring the line personnel into direct contact with the communities we serve. This interaction helps keep the public informed of offered services and develops a relationship between those we serve and the emergency responders. This past month was a great example of the outreach opportunities for the Department. The Emergency Medical Services and Water Safety Branches spent two days with the Kealakehe High School teaching various classes on Hands Only Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation and swim lessons. Over 101 students participated. The Department supported the Friends of First Responders Annual Benefit Golf Tournament which raised funds to support the health and wellness of first responders. The 50th Recruit Class assisted with the Personal Protective Equipment distribution in partnership with the Hawaii Dental Association and Hawaii Emergency Management Association. This type of community outreach has numerous tangible benefits that foster greater awareness and appreciation of our customers. It further helps get the positive message of the Fire Department out to those we serve. But most importantly, it allows our personnel to have a direct link to those we may have to respond to in the future. P a g e | 4 HIGHLIGHTS The following are the highlights for the last month. The complete list of responses will be provided in the Emergency Operations Division Update • March 3, Major Structure Fire Uncle Billy’s • March 8, Significant lightning storm starting some fires & lightning bolt striking Station 1/Dispatch radio communication tower and knocking out Dispatch CAD system & Station 01 electrical power • March 9, Fire Commission Meeting. First in-person meeting in 5-months • March 21, Aloha Exchange Firefighter of the Year Awards Ceremony • March 22, Farewell Lunch for Lizzy Stabo Outreach • March 1, Met with new Fire Commissioner Carlene Wolf • March 2, Fuels Mitigation Meeting (Wildland Partners) • March 8, Significant lightning storm started some fires & lightning bolt striking Station 1/Dispatch radio communication tower and knocking out Dispatch CAD system & Station 01 electrical power • March 9, Fire Commission Meeting. First in-person meeting in 5-months • March 10, State of Hawaii E911 Board Meeting • March 15, Directors’ meeting with County Executive Staff • March 18, HFFA Meeting for Captain of Dispatch • March 21, Aloha Exchange Firefighter of the Year Awards Ceremony • March 22, Farewell Lunch for Lizzy Stabo • March 23, Council Appearance • March 23, FM-5404 Big Island Project Update • March 26, Attended the Hawaiʻi Fire Department Volunteer Captain’s Meeting • March 29, Met with Council Member Richards • March 30, Supported the Alzheimer’s Outreach P a g e | 5 BUDGET FY 2021-2022 FY 2021-2022 - County Budget:  Total spending through March 31, 2022, is at  88.38% with 75% of the fiscal year completed.   County Funded Budget Salaries & Wages closed at 86.88% Fire. OCE expenditures closed at 101.88% in Fire. Mana Road Fire expenditures and the costs of the numerous, but less devastating, brush fires continue to skew OCE expenditures. As of 3/31/2022, the County transferred out $531,646 in dozer and helicopter expenses to the FEMA/disaster fund (this is an estimate of expected recovery funds). Total remaining contracted costs of $908,983 remain in the OCE budget causing a shortfall. At the end of March, there is an additional liability of $200,000 in dozer rental costs for FY 2022. State Funded Budget Items:  July 2021 EMS expenditures were billed and cost of $1.7M recovered on 3/23/2022. 1Q billing expected to be complete at the end of April. Current projections estimate the expenditures at 75%. FY 2022-2023 The FY 2023 Mayor’s budget was distributed to departments on March 1, 2022. Requirements submitted to Finance in January. HFD’s total budget is $56,343,977, of which $18,797,158 is grant funded. Our budget increased by $3.8 million from last year. The changes include a realignment and renumbering of all expenditure accounts and realignment of the personnel home departments to better track and account for expenditures by program. HFD’s three (3) new positions created in FY 2022 are funded in the new budget. These positions include a Fire Captain in Dispatch, an Information Systems Analyst IV, and an Accountant I. HFD gained five (5) new positions: • Clerk III (3 positions) • Safety Specialist II • Fire Communications Officer III (Trainer) In addition, eleven (11) Ocean Safety Division Part-time Water Safety Officer II positions in South Hilo, Puna and Ka’u were changed from part-time to full time. P a g e | 6 Alternative Funding and Grants Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant Federal Grant of $3,511,641 for six (6) Captain positions and three (3) Fire Fighter positions for 36 months. Current expenditures as of 3/31/22 is $213,138. USDA, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region, State & Private Forestry Federal grant award of $197,637 (with County match of $197,637) for FY 2022. Funds will be used to purchase a brush truck, fire shelters, and supplies. Current expenditures as of 3/31/22 is $87,535.06, or 22% of the grant. Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program FY 2020 (AFG-S) COVID- 19 Supplemental Federal grant award in the amount of $379,910.66 for the period 8/6/2020 – 8/5/2022 ($345,373.33 Federal funds, $34,537.33 County match). Current expenditures as of 3/31/22 is $293,930, or 77% of the grant award. Hāpuna Beach State Park State grant award of $895,505 for lifeguard services for FY 2022. Personnel Costs at 77.78% expended as of 3/31/22. Kua Bay, Kekaha Kai State Park State grant award of $480,000 for lifeguard services for FY 2022. Personnel Costs at 48.63% expended as of 3/31/22. FY 2021 Assistance to Firefighters: Grant application was submitted 12/17/21 to FEMA to purchase extractors for all fire stations.  No update. CDBG-MIT: HFD has been allocated $1.8 million and will be purchase 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. Application being submitted to HIEMA by mid-April. HIEMA HMGP Funding: Request submitted to HIEMA for excess Federal funding to cover station hardening, generators, and a portable station. Ask is approximately $4,420,000. P a g e | 7 HUMAN RESOURCES Internal Recruitment within Department • Fire/Emergency Medical Services Specialist II – Fire Fighters Chase Komatsu and Brock Miller promoted effective March 16, 2022. • Fire Equipment Operator – Fire Fighters Neil Biddix and Kaui Nakanelua; Fire/ Hazardous Materials Specialists William Bloss, Andrew Penny, Owen Tomori; and Fire Rescue Specialists Brandon Kagawa and Dave Yamagata, Jr., promoted effective March 16, 2022. • Fire Rescue Specialist – Fire Fighters David Fisbeck, Kaito Mizutani, Tay Soares, Jr., and Tyson Yamashita promoted effective March 16, 2022. Fire/Emergency Medical Services Specialist II Riley Archibald voluntary demotion to Fire Rescue Specialist effective March 16, 2022. • Fire/Hazardous Materials Specialist – Fire Fighters Kristopher Armijo and Christian Cook promoted effective March 16, 2022. Internal Recruitment within the County • Storekeeper – Interview pending on finalization of audited interview packet. Open-Competitive Recruitment • Fire Communications Officer I – Two (2) candidates have been given conditional offers. Pending medical examinations. Targeted date of hire is September 1, 2022. • Water Safety Officer I – 12 candidates participated in the PAE. Interviews for six (6) candidates scheduled for April 6, 2022. • Fire Fighter Recruit – 89 names were referred to participate in the FFR PAE. No dates have been determined yet. • Account Clerk – No qualified applicants indicated interest in a temporary vacancy of more than one year. Next written exam will be held this month and DHR will let us know if there are names to be referred. Labor Relations • Verbal Reprimand – 14 verbal reprimands for noncompliance with COVID-19 testing requirements. • Written Reprimand – Four (4) written reprimands for noncompliance with COVID-19 testing requirements. • Notice of Internal Investigation – Two (2) notices of internal investigations for noncompliance with COVID-19 testing requirements. P a g e | 8 EMERGENCY OPERATIONS DIVISION Total Calls for CY 2021 Type March YTD Fire 99 310 Overpressure, Rupture, Explosion- no fire - - Rescue and EMS 1,630 5,033 Hazardous Cond. (no fire) 20 41 Service Call 130 466 Good Intent calls 331 1,034 Fire Alarm / False calls 32 91 Severe Weather 1 2 Special Incident Type 0 3 Other 4 4 Totals 2,516 6,984 Updates: • PGV fund SCBA compressor procurement: the resolution to allocate the funds to HFD has been approved by the County Council. Once we have the funds transferred, we will proceed with the procurement process. • 2nd SCBA compressor procurement. Unit arrived and has been registered. Once inventory is complete it will be assigned to West Hawai‘i at the Makalei Fire Station. • CDBG-MIT grant funding update: Finalizing application through the coordinated effort of R&D and CD. Anticipating a July timeline for Approval to proceed. • Apparatus updates a) New Brush Truck 9A (Waiki‘i Ranch) has been registered, awaiting the scheduling of the radio install. Then will be placed in service. b) Finalizing specifications for a new Brush Truck for Volunteer Company 20A. c) Working on Specs for CDBG-MIT grant funded Brush Trucks, Mobile Command Post, and a Mobile Service Trailer. • Held new promotions for FEO’s, FMS II’s, FRS, and FHMS a) 7 Fire Equipment Operators b) 2 Fire Medical Specialists II c) 5 Fire Rescue Specialists • 2 Fire Hazardous Materials Specialists P a g e | 9 Battalion 1, East Hawaiʻi • March 4, 2022, Inc #04964; Structure Fire: 87 Banyan Dr. (Uncle Billy’s)/District 2, Structure Fire involving all 4 floors of one wing, no injuries or fatalities reported. • March 8, 2022, Inc #05351; Structure Fire: Haili & Keawe St/District 1, Structure Fire isolated to exterior stairs & extinguished prior to spread, no injuries or fatalities. • March 9, 2022, Inc #05372; Rescue: Mauna Loa Summit, Rescue Co. 2 spend the night searching and eventually successfully located and rescued the missing party. Disoriented Hiker rescued after prolonged exposure. No injuries. • March 10, 2022, Inc #05479; Trash Fire: Hilo Transfer/Sorting Station/District 2, Rubbish Fire in sorting station warehouse, no injuries, or fatalities. • March 12, 2022, Inc#005554; Structure Fire: Tiki Gardens (Brookover St. & Paradise Ct.)/District 10, Structure fire, no injuries, or fatalities. • March 24, 2022, Inc #06521; Rescue: Person on Cliff Ahoa Rd/ District 17, patient rescued with minor injuries • March 24, 2022, Inc#006486; Structure Fire: 89 A Kawailani St/District 1, Structure Fire at a 2-story residential structure that was confined to the 2nd floor, no injuries, or fatalities. • March 25, 2022, Inc#06541; Structure Fire: Ohana Place, Wainaku/District 1, Structure fire, Arson, no injuries, or fatalities. Battalion 2 West Hawaiʻi • March 3, 2022, Inc#4955, Structure Fire: Waikoloa Villas District 14, Fire contained to one bedroom of upstairs, 2- story unit. No deaths or injuries. • March 30, 2022, Inc#6096, Brush Fire: Puʻu Paʻa District 9. Lightning strikes in two separate areas created two separate Brush Fires of 40 acres and 460 acres. Units were able to contain fires with 4 dozers by the next morning. No structures or other infrastructure were lost. P a g e | 10 Special Operations: Hazmat • Finalized planning for our annual 93rd CST drill exercises with Hazmat companies. Scheduled for April 5-11, 2022 collectively. a) April 5-7 in station Lanes training b) Apr 8-10 in station DECON training c) Apr 14 Full Scale exercise with all Hazmat personnel approved for attendance. 1 exercise each in East and West HI. • Secured and set up MDT laptops for Hazmat companies to use for Hazmat (CAMEO) response and training needs. Ocean Safety • After discussions and evaluating current situational needs and budget challenges we have decided to once again cancel the Jr. Lifeguard program for 2022. • AC Okinaka has been in discussions with representatives from the Mauna Kea Resorts properties and they have expressed interest in purchasing a new ATV for Hāpuna. The donation will be routed through the Sayre Foundation. • Submitted application to USLA for RWC Training Program for Water Safety Officers. • Continue to work on RWC training program. Rescue • Rescue Boat 2 (Force) engine replacement. Bid Specifications have been completed and submitted to Purchasing to be sent out for bids. • RB7-7 repairs: Status Quo, emailed the vendor and waiting for a response from Force Marine on the status of the new fuel tanks. • RB7 (Radon) O/C due to oil leak, parts are on back order. No changes. • Fire Rescue Specialist Assessment: FRS promotions took effect on March 16. Promoted five (5) new FRS. Sayre Foundation • Funding of additional Apparatus. o New Engine at South Kohala. Awaiting build with tentative completion in the fall of 2023. o Volunteer Fire Company (9A) BT. Registration completed March 23, then radio install, and place in service. o Replacement for C-2: being built. • New Rescue Watercrafts and Rescue Sleds have been purchased. Awaiting delivery timeline for RWC. Status Quo • Ocean Safety requests are being worked on, some of the purchases have been made. P a g e | 11 SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION Emergency Medical Services Branch: • We have completed the annual preventive maintenance on all of our Lifepak 15 heart monitors. We have also completed the annual calibration and maintenance for our LUCAS compression devices. • The EMS Branch has been assisting our EMT’s and paramedics with their National Registry recertification process. Anyone licensed after October 2016 must have a valid National Registry certification to be a licensed EMS provider in the State of Hawai‘i. • Our paramedic students have started their second month of internship. This second rotation began the last week of March and will end the first week of May. • The 50th recruit class has successfully completed EMT 111 and has started EMT 125. The EMS Branch is currently assisting with coordination of required vaccinations for their clinical experience. They will begin EMT clinical rotations on April 11th. • We continue our bi-weekly ESO implementation meetings. We are currently working on the importation of cardiac arrest cases into our CARES registry. CARES is a cardiac arrest registry that helps EMS systems measure how well they are performing key elements of emergency cardiac care. We have also completed two ESO updates on all station Toughbooks. • The EMS Branch is coordinating with HPD for our upcoming active shooter training set for April 12-14. This three-day multi agency training will take place at the Wainaku Executive Center and will involve HFD, HPD, ARFF and PTA personnel. The 51st recruit class will be the main participants for HFD. • We supported a special 2-day training for Kealakehe High School. This event was over the course of 2 days and was facilitated by our Water Safety Officers. Students participated in water safety, swim lessons and hands Only CPR. Hilo High school students conducted the CPR training. A total of 101 students went through the trainings. • We have received a grant for $4,600 for durable medical supplies for our community paramedicine program from the Community First Program. This equipment will be utilized by our community paramedicine paramedics island wide. Training Branch: ● The 51st Recruit Class fulfilled their Pro-Board Firefighter I certification requirements by passing rigorous exams and skills testing. ● The 51st Recruit Class was trained by the International Association of Fire Fighters to include Pro-Board HAZMAT Awareness and Operations certification, Responding to Drug- Related Incidents, and Emergency Response to Terrorism. P a g e | 12 ● The 51st Recruit Class attended training on Defensive Driving Operations put on by Mr. Douglas McCormick, Human Resources Safety Specialist, Health and Safety Division. ● Vehicle extrication training was held at the Hilo Abandoned Vehicle Lot for the 51st Recruits Class. Approximately twenty vehicles were set up in various collision scenarios to provide quality training for the recruits. Four Hilo based fire companies attended, participated, and instructed over the two-day training event. ● The 51st Recruit Class provided logistical support for the Friends of First Responders 1st Annual Benefit Golf Tournament at the Waikoloa King’s Course. Recruits set up for the event, manned “specialty holes”, provided refreshments, and interacted with attendees to support the health and wellness of first responders and their families. ● The 50th Recruit Class was recognized in Mid-Week magazine for their participation with a PPE distribution project. This endeavor was undertaken in partnership with the Hawaii Dental Association, and Hawaii Emergency Management Association. Recruits assisted with set-up and break-down, directing traffic, and unloading, lifting, and carrying PPE to recipients. ● The 50th Recruit Class is near complete with the classroom portion of their Emergency Medical Technician training and will soon begin clinical rotations at Hilo Medical Center, and various medic units. ● BC Springer attended the National Fire Academy and completed the Training Program Management Course in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Course topics included training program planning, design, marketing, and budget. Volunteer Training Section: • Louie Morua (Volunteer FF 7B) obtained 20 copies of Essentials of Fire Fighting 7th Edition from Ron Cripe (Director of RFTC-Regional Fire Training Center at Modesto junior college). These donations were distributed to every volunteer company to update their libraries, as financial constraints prevented them from acquiring the last couple editions. • Volunteer companies 7B, 9A, and 9B responded to and supported brush fire operations at the Kanehoa brush fire. • All west side volunteer companies have completed UXO (unexploded ordinance) training provided by Na Ali’i and the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers. Training has shown to be effective, with a UXO found at the most recent Kanehoa brush fire. • Various members of the Volunteers and Career personnel attended the blessing of BT 9A and Tanker 9B at Waiki’i Ranch. These generous donations greatly increase our firefighting capabilities and safety of our community. • Several volunteers from both east and west side volunteer companies, along with Volunteer training Captains M. Komata and C. Taketa, have completed Basic Wildland Firefighting Training through NWCG at PTA. This hybrid training included online and classroom instruction as well as hands-on training. P a g e | 13 • The Quarterly Volunteer Captain’s meeting was held at the Pahala Community Center hosted by Company 11-D (Pahala). There was a presentation by the USGS, luncheon hosted by Co. 11-D, and a lively open forum discussion with Fire Chief Todd, Deputy Chief Moller, and Commander Bertsch. Fire Prevention Branch: • The Fire Prevention Branch investigated 6 structure fires during the month in districts 1, 2, 3, 10, 11, and 14. It was a busy month for fire investigations as it involved the Uncle Billy’s Hotel, a juvenile fire setter, and an arson case in which a female was arrested for said offense. • The Fire Prevention Branch is excited to welcome Volunteer Firefighter Lane Weber to the Prevention Branch as a Volunteer Fire Investigator. Mr. Weber has over thirty years of experience with the Los Angeles County Fire Department and has well over twenty years as a Fire Investigator. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience which will be utilized for complex fire investigations and training of Prevention personnel. • The Fire Prevention Branch conducted three (3) public education presentations and reviewed 51 plans for Hawai‘i Island. • Fire Prevention Branch personnel conducted 190 inspections to include commercial inspections, commercial re-inspections, certificate of occupancy inspections, educational, education re-inspections, fire protection system acceptance, site inspections, fireworks shows, tent, and tank inspections. This is a drop from the previous month by about 50 inspections. • The Prevention Branch conducted 104 (average five per workday) requests-for- information (RFI) which involve requests from people in both the State of Hawai‘i and the rest of the United States. Most of these requests involve individuals that have an interest in properties located on Hawai‘i Island. Requests include, but are not limited to, records of previous fires on the property, complaints, permits, violations involving hazardous materials, underground storage tanks (UST’s), and aboveground storage tanks (AST’S) at the property. These requests take a considerable amount of time to complete and require a mandatory response via email and/or letter regarding these properties. During the previous month, Prevention Branch conducted only 28 RFI’s. • The Fire Prevention Branch investigated 9 complaints. • Fire Prevention Captain Kyle Vares and Fire Inspector Anthony Kim’s last day of work within the Branch was on March 31st, 2022. Both have decided to transfer back to the Operations Division. • The Fire Prevention Branch has been assisting the Fire Auxiliary Services Branch with requests for fire investigation records/reports. Four (4) fire investigation records were researched and sent to the requested party. • The final draft of the 2018 Hawai‘i County Fire Code Amendments Chapter 26 was sent to the Legislative Research Board (LRB) to prepare for submittal to Hawai‘i County Council for review and adoption. The LRB has requested the draft to be formatted in the same way as the Building Code in Chapter 5 of the Hawaii County Code (HCC). This change in formatting will cause a delay in the adoption of the Fire Code. P a g e | 14 Logistics, Emergency Communication, and Vehicle Maintenance Sections: • We participated in the first annual career day at Waiākeawaena Elementary School. We received positive feedback from school administration personnel as well as the volunteer participants from Hawai‘i Fire Department. Volunteer participants were Chief Vern Hara, Captain Tyler Nagamine, Captain Tyler Nishimura, FEO Isaiah Halemanu, FRS Scott Shiroma, FRS Ryan Kihara, FMS II Nate Lee, FHMS Gavin Pamarang, Mechanic Jason Rowland and Mechanic Aaron Buyuan. On duty personnel from Engine 3 and Medic 3 also participated. Many thanks to all the volunteers that helped make this event a success. • The personal protective equipment professional cleaning and repair project continues. • Full face mask P100 masks were received as part of the 2019 AFG-S PPE grant managed by Chief Smith. • The assessment packet for the hiring of the Fire Distribution Warehouse Storekeeper has been completed and turned into DHR. • We are continuing to experience supply chain issues. Of particular concern is Class A foam as we currently only have one pail remaining in our inventory. • All 54 mobile data terminal Toughbooks have been imaged as we move closer to the rollout of these invaluable tools. • We would like to thank the Fire Prevention Branch for their assistance with records requests as we continue to operate short staffed. • One of the Fire Communication Officer I trainees resigned. We still have four (4) trainees, and they are entering their third rotation of training. • The fire communications center radio tower was struck by lightning during a severe weather event in Hilo, damaging multiple computers as well as critical communication equipment. County of Hawai‘i Department of Information Technology Director Scott Uehara and his team worked late into the evening and on multiple subsequent days to restore the equipment and internet connectivity. • The Vehicle Maintenance Section continues to operate shorthanded due to an injury. • Apparatus and equipment repair: o One hundred (100) total repairs/service (Note: this is significantly higher than the average). o Twenty-one (21) service or trouble calls. o Nine (9) contracted out and tows. o We received a new Bauer SCBA compressor and a used 2002 Ford F-350 truck for our Volunteer personnel. End of Report