HomeMy WebLinkAbout10 FIRE CHIEFS REPORT FY21-22 APRILHawai’i Fire Department
fire@hawaiicounty.gov 808-932-2900
25 Aupuni St, Hilo, HI, 96720
FIRE CHIEFS REPORT
Coming together is a beginning;
keeping together is progress;
working together is success
Edward Everett Hale
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
TO THE FIRE COMMISSION ______________________________________ 3
Highlights _______________________________________________________________ 3
Outreach _______________________________________________________________ 3
BUDGET ______________________________________________________ 4
FY 2021-2022 ___________________________________________________________ 4
Alternative Funding and Grants ______________________________________________ 4
HUMAN RESOURCES ___________________________________________ 5
Internal Recruitment within Department _______________________________________ 5
Internal Recruitment within the County ________________________________________ 5
Open-Competitive Recruitment ______________________________________________ 5
Classification ____________________________________________________________ 6
Labor Relations __________________________________________________________ 6
EMERGENCY OPERATIONS DIVISION _____________________________ 6
Total Calls for CY 2022 ____________________________________________________ 6
Updates: ________________________________________________________________ 6
Battalion 1, East Hawai i ___________________________________________________ 7
Battalion 2 West Hawai i ___________________________________________________ 7
Special Operations: _______________________________________________________ 8
SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION ___________________________________ 9
Emergency Medical Services Branch: _________________________________________ 9
Training Branch: _________________________________________________________ 10
Fire Prevention Branch: ___________________________________________________ 10
Logistics, Emergency Communication Section, and Vehicle Maintenance Sections: ____ 11
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TO THE FIRE COMMISSION
Highlights
The following are the highlights for the last month. The complete list of responses will be
provided in the Emergency Operations Division Update
April 3-9, Chief Todd attends FESDI
April 5, H weo Award presentation, Fire Medical
Specialist Almodova
April 6, Support Resolution 354-22, Sayre Foundation
Donation
April 7, Pacific Islands Forest Resilience Roundtable
April 8, Tsunami Planning Conference 1
April 11, Film Shoot for Lizzy Stabo
April 11, Meeting with County Council Member
April 12, Budget Review and Presentation
April 13, Fire Commission Meeting
April 14, Meeting with Friends of 1st Responders
April 18, Address Hawaii State Caucus
April 19, County Council Audit Review
April 22, Tsunami Planning Conference 2
April 27, County Cabinet Meeting
April 28, Meeting with Fairmont Orchid for Conference Pricing
April 29, Tsunami Planning Conference 3
Outreach
April 11, Kawaihae Fire Field Trip
April 14, Active Shooter Training
April 18, Wildland National Cohesive Strategy Meeting
April 19, Pacific Fire Exchange Steering Committee
April 20, HFCA Partnership Meeting
April 20 – 23, Merry Monarch Support
April 21, DOT Airports Triennial Initial Planning Conference
April 22, Meeting with Army on Mechanic initiative
April 22, Sunrise Community Meeting for Station 1 move
April 30, Coffee with the Chief
April 30, Sayre Awards at Station 2
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BUDGET
FY 2021-2022
FY 2021-2022 - County Budget:
Total spending through April 30, 2022, is at 87.08% with 83% of the fiscal year
completed.
County funded budget
Salaries & Wages closed at 96.03% Fire.
OCE expenditures closed at 87.08% in Fire.
The County has removed the Mana Road Fire expenditures from our budget, so there no
longer remain any expenses in our budget related to brush fires this fiscal year. The total
costs the County transferred out is $1,440,629 in dozer and helicopter expenses to the
FEMA/disaster fund. At the end of April, there is an additional liability of $200,000 in
dozer rental costs for FY 2022.
State Funded Budget Items:
The first quarter billing for State EMS costs were completed on April 29 and submitted to
the State for reimbursement. Current projections estimate the expenditures at 80%.
FY 2022-2023
The Budget Review Presentation with the County Council was held on April 12, 2022.
Alternative Funding and Grants
Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant
Federal Grant of $3,511,641 forsix (6) Captain positions and three (3)
Fire Fighter positions for 36 months. Current expenditures as of 4/30/22 is $320,141.
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.
Third quarter report and reimbursement request was submitted April 6, 2022.
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
4/30/22 is $330,141, or 96% of the grant award.
H puna Beach State Park
State grant award of $895,505 for lifeguard services for FY 2022. Personnel Costs at
70.23% expended as of 4/30/22. The state has reimbursed $671,628.75 as of April 30,
2022.
Kua Bay, Kekaha Kai State Park
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State grant award of $480,000 for lifeguard services for FY 2022. Personnel Costs at
53.67% expended as of 4/30/22. The state has reimbursed $360,000 as of April 30, 2022.
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 submitted to HIEMA on April 29, 2022.
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.
Geothermal Fund: Council approved Resolution no. 328-22 on March 23, 2022 to transfer
$300,500 to the Geothermal Fire Equipment account for use by the Fire Department to
purchase a mobile self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) compressor unit, 20 SCBA
bottles, and an F-450 for towing and transport to be housed at Station 10 in Pahoa.
HUMAN RESOURCES
Internal Recruitment within Department
Fire Captain (Emergency Communications) – Recruitment opened on April 10, 2022
and closed on April 19, 2022. Three candidates were referred and screened for MQs.
Interview scheduled for May 20, 2022 and notices have been sent.
Fire Captain (Fire Prevention Bureau) – Recruitment opened on April 24, 2022 and
closed on May 3, 2022. One name was referred and screened for MQs. Candidate
has met MQs. Pending assessment center date.
Internal Recruitment within the County
Storekeeper – Request to Fill form was changed to hiring the position permanent.
Opening date to be determined by the Department of Human Resources.
Account Clerk – Recruitment opened on April 24, 2022 and closed on May 3, 2022.
Pending referred names from DHR.
Open-Competitive Recruitment
Fire Communications Officer I – Recruitment opened on
April 10, 2022 and closed on April 19, 2022. Pending written exam by the Department
of Human Resources.
Water Safety Officer I – Four candidates completed their medical exams. Pending
formal offers. Targeted hire date is May 16, 2022.
Fire Fighter Recruit – 89 names were referred to participate in the FFR PAE. Pending
confirmation from Hilo High School for the PAE date.
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Account Clerk (Temp) – No qualified applicants indicated interest in a temporary
vacancy of more than one year. DHR will inform us if there are names to be referred.
Classification
Two Water Safety Officer II temporarily reallocated to a Water Safety Officer I effective
May 16, 2022
Labor Relations
Notice of Internal Investigation – Certified mail to WSO II (5) and WSO (1/2T) (1).
EMERGENCY OPERATIONS DIVISION
Total Calls for CY 2022
Type April YTD
Fire 63 374
Overpressure, Rupture, Explosion- no fire - 0
Rescue and EMS 1,717 6,749
Hazardous Cond. (no fire) 19 60
Service Call 168 635
Good Intent calls 318 1,352
Fire Alarm / False calls 30 121
Severe Weather 0 2
Special Incident Type 3 6
Other (not completed yet) 2 N/A
Totals 2,320 9,301
Updates:
PGV fund SCBA compressor procurement: The funds have been transferred to an
account for us to access, we are now proceeding with the procurement process.
2nd SCBA compressor procurement: In-service training has been completed. We are
just awaiting a few required misc. items and the unit will be placed in service.
CDBG-MIT grant funding update: Status Quo, funding timelines remain the same for
July.
HMGP- Post Fire (Mana Rd/Puukapu FL) grant application has been submitted to
FEMA. This grant will provide funding to assist land owners with hazardous fuels
reduction and defensible space measures in the areas of Parker Ranch, DHHL-
Puukapu Farm Lots, Waikoloa Village, Paauilo, Waikii Ranch, Kamuela View Estates,
Kanehoa and Anekona subdivisions.
Submitted a grant application for a community Chipper Day event. This was an IAFC
grant that would fund $20K to support a community chipper day for high wildfire risk
communities. Part of the Ready Set Go program initiative.
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New Brush Truck 9A (Waikii Ranch) Fire radio has been installed, and the unit has
been placed in service.
Due to unavailability of new vehicle inventories the plans for a new Brush Truck for
Volunteer Company 20A may in jeopardy.
Chief Moller and Chief Okinaka has been in discussions with a Task Force of members
of the Big Island Wildfire Coordinating Group (BIWCG) regarding the establishment of
a County Wide Type III Incident Management Team. Currently drafting protocols and
guidelines.
Held a meeting with C-2 Director of Operations and Director of Maintenance on the
future of our aviation program. Considering hiring pilots as county employees, position
descriptions, Organizational structure, possible hangar for new aircraft etc.
Vessel Retitling and registration completed for all HFD Vessels. Rescue Boats and
Rescue Watercrafts.
Chief Okinaka attended a preliminary planning meeting for the next KONA ARFF
Triennial drill tentatively set for November 2023.
Chief Moller and Chief Okinaka has been attending County wide Tsunami Planning
meetings. This is an effort to revise the County of Hawaii’s tsunami response plan.
Battalion 1, East Hawai i
April 2, 2022, Inc#007120, Brush Fire: Alahaki Road (within Ninole Loop Road)/District
11, approximately 5-acre brushfire, extinguished, no injuries or fatalities.
April 2, 2022, Inc#007144; Structure Fire: Old Volcano Trail/District 5, 2-story
residential structure fully involved upon arrival, no injuries or fatalities.
April 6, 2022, Inc#007396, Structure Fire: Kahakai & Malolo/District 10, 2-story
residential structure (third fire at this location), no injuries or fatalities.
Battalion 2 West Hawai i
March 30, 2022, Inc #06993; MVA / Brush Fire: MVA with vehicle fully involved with
fire, spreading to surrounding brush. Fire extinguished, and sole occupant in vehicle
DOA.
April 1, 2022, Inc #07019; Scrap Metal Fire: Honokohau Industrial area, Metal
Recycling yard. Responding units extinguished without incident.
April 2, 2022, Inc #07123; Brush Fire: Hwy 19 at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel.
Approximately 1 acre BF stopped by Co14. No structures lost.
April 13, 2022, Inc #08005, Brush Fire: Queen K Hwy. and OTEC Rd. Approximately 5-
7 acre brush fire contained by HFD units and assisted by ARFF units. No structures
lost.
April 19, 2022, Inc #08458; Rescue: Missing Kayaker, Off of Akoni Pule Hwy. near the
9MM. C-2 searched for a few hours while conditions were favorable at night, USCG
helicopter searched through the night. At day break C-2 resumed search and located
the missing party approx. 3 miles off shore. Nearby fishing vessels assisted with
picking up and bringing the party in to shore where he was evaluated and released
without any need for EMS assistance. Great Save!!
April 20, 2022, Inc #’s 8513, 8521, & 8534, Brush Fires: Multiple fires set in downtown
Kailua by fire ‘bug’. Party was witnessed driving erratically around town and starting
multiple roadside brush fires. All fires put out by Co 7, 12, and 21. Party in question
was apprehended by HPD. No structures damaged or loss of life.
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April 20, 2022, Inc #08554, Rescue: Swimmer in distress- Kukio. Co 7, Co14, BC2, &
C2 responded for an Altered Mental Status party who jumped in ocean @2100. C2
able to locate party. After 2hrs of trying to contact party, rescue swimmer made contact
outside of Kua Bay via paddleboard, party with altered mental status adamantly
refusing any assistance. Party later made his way to shore, slept in the lava field, and
made his way to the lifeguard tower at Kua bay later the next afternoon.
April 24, 2022, Inc #08846, Brush Fire: Puuanahulu approximately 4 miles above
hunter check in station on Hwy 190. 60X60 area actively burning, 4 personnel put on
the ground by C2 for suppression operations with minimal water drops from C2. Scene
turned over to DOFAW at sunset.
Special Operations:
Hazmat
Annual 93rd CST drill exercises with Hazmat companies completed from April 5-14,
2022.
1. April 5-7 in station Lanes training
2. Apr 8-10 in station DECON training
3. Apr 14 Full Scale exercise with all Hazmat personnel approved for attendance. 1
exercise each in East and West HI.
Hazmat Captain’s meeting to review overall Hazmat operations and needs scheduled
for May 11.
Inquiry to acquire push to talk units to be used in Hazmat suits.
Ocean Safety
WSO I recruitment has been completed. Transfers and new hires including summer
hires set for May 16.
Ocean Safety will be participating in this year’s USCG SAREX (see rescue) along with
both Rescue companies.
Still awaiting decision from USLA for RWC Training Program Certification.
Continue to work on HFD RWC training program. This program will establish
guidelines, MQ’s, and training criteria for RWC Instructors, Operators and
Crewpersons. Anticipated completion and implementation by August 2022.
Rescue
Discussions and planning for USCG Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX) with our
Rescue companies. Due to COVID, this exercise has been cancelled for the past few
years. This year will be done in both East and West HI and will also incorporate a
presentation by the Coast Guard on all of their capabilities and a Static Display of both
agencies Air and Sea assets the day before each exercise. Scheduled for the week of
May 16-20.
Rescue Boat 2 (Force) engine replacement. Bid Specifications have been sent out for
bids. No response yet.
RB7-7 repairs: New fuel tanks finally arrived, now awaiting scheduling with the vendor.
RB7 (Radon) O/C due to oil leak, parts are on back order. New tentative delivery
timeline is June 2022.
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Began discussions again for Dive Rescue International program recertification for
Rescue personnel and certifying instructors to be capable of hosting in house training
and recertification.
Sayre Foundation
Saturday April 30 The Sayre Foundation held an awards ceremony at the Waiakea Fire
Station to recognize the 2020 award recipients
Funding of additional Apparatus.
o New Engine at South Kohala: tentative completion in the fall of 2023. Status Quo
o Volunteer Fire Company (9A) BT: Radio installation has been completed and the
unit has been placed in service.
o Replacement for C-2: Received some information on possible price increases due
to the EMS package. The Sayre Foundation will also be covering any differences.
New Rescue Watercrafts and Rescue Sleds have been purchased. Delivery set for Mid
May. 2 new SKI’s and trailers.
SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION
Emergency Medical Services Branch:
A three day multi agency active shooter training was held in the month of April. The
agencies involved included the Hawai‘i Fire Department’s 51st fire recruit class, Hawai‘i
Police Department, Airport Rescue and Firefighting personnel, state law enforcement
and federal law enforcement. The EMS Branch assisted with coordination and
instruction of this course.
Our fall of 2021 paramedic class is currently going through their 2nd month of clinical
internship.
We have started our paramedic preparatory classes for personnel interested in
attending the upcoming class scheduled to begin in August of this year.
The 50th fire recruit class has started their one month Emergency Medical Technician
clinical rotations.
We have received a donation of three LUCAS compression devices from the Hilo
Medical Center Foundation. These devices have been assigned to Keaau, South
Kohala and Ocean View fire stations.
We will be facilitating a base station meeting at Kona Community Hospital on Tuesday
May 3rd at 0900 hrs. For more information please see training announcement number
2022-011.
Braun Northwest, the ambulance manufacturer that was awarded our latest bid for
medic 5 and medic 15, has notified us that due to a shortage of chassis the ETA for
these two medics has been pushed back to approximately November of this year.
The EMS Branch worked with LavaMan race directors and distributed a coordinated
medical response plan to all affected stations. Event was held on April 3rd.
One of our multi-agency community education programs is Project Koko. Project Koko
hosted two large events in the month of April. On April 2nd, Project Koko supported the
Waiakea Youth Wellness Summit at Waiakea High School. At this event, high school
students instructed a total of 60 participants in Hands Only CPR throughout the day.
The second event was held at the Hale Kii Marketplace. At this event Hilo High School
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JROTC, under the supervision of Captain Domingo, instructed Hands Only CPR to the
vendors and the guests.
Training Branch:
The 51st Recruit Class fulfilled their Pro-Board Firefighter II certification requirements
by passing rigorous exams and skills testing. The class is set to begin Aircraft Rescue
Firefighting this week. The class also completed CPR, and Emergency Medical
Responder training, led by FMS Sheldon Uyetake. The 51st Recruits also attended
joint Active Shooter training with the HPD recruit class.
The 50st Recruit Class has started their Emergency Medical Technician clinical training
at Hilo Medical Center and at various HFD medic units.
BC Patrick Springer, Captain Keone Roback, FEO Kaui Nakanelua, and RTO Jeremy
Tekurio completed the Pro-Board Instructor 1 Train the Trainer course, hosted by Hilo
ARFF.
Twenty-five HFD personnel attended the National Fire Academy, two-day, off-campus
course, “Incident Command for High-Rise Operations.” Attendees learned about
responding to high rise incidents by organizing resources, developing strategies, and
managing tactical operations to protect life and minimize damage.
Fire Prevention Branch:
The Fire Prevention Branch investigated 1 structure fire during the month in Ocean
View. This fire is currently being investigated as an arson case. A suspect has been
identified and a Detective from the Hawaii Police Department is investigating this case
along with Fire Inspector Donovan Roque.
Fire Prevention Branch welcomed Volunteer Firefighter Lane Weber to the Prevention
Branch as a Volunteer Fire Investigator. Mr. Weber has already participated in a fire
investigation with Fire Inspector Donovan Roque in Ocean View and was a great help
with his knowledge and skills.
The Fire Prevention Branch conducted 11 Public Education Presentations and
reviewed 65 Plans for Hawaii Island.
Fire Prevention Branch personnel conducted 223 inspections to include commercial
inspections, commercial reinspections, Certificate of Occupancy, Educational,
Education Reinspections, Fire Protection System Acceptance, Site Inspections,
Fireworks shows, Tent, and Tank inspections.
Prevention Branch conducted 59 Request-For-Information and Comments combined.
Fire Prevention Branch also investigated 11 complaints.
Fire Prevention Branch participated in the code enforcement and some EMS duties of
the Merrie Monarch. Three personnel worked all four nights for this special event.
Next year will be the 60th Anniversary and is expected to be filled to capacity.
Eight fire investigation records/reports were researched and sent to the requestor(s).
The 2018 Hawaii County Fire Code Amendments are still being worked on by the
Legislative Research Branch. A Corporation Counsel assigned to the Fire Department
has resigned and another Corporation Counsel has been assigned to us. This is a
concern because the former Corporation Counsel spent many hours assisting the
Prevention Branch with drafting the proposed 2018 Hawaii County Fire Code
amendments.
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A State Fire Council meeting was held this month and the 2021 State Fire Code
amendments are already being worked on with comments coming from Oahu, Maui,
Kauai, and Big Island.
Site visits to Eden Roc subdivision to coordinate with the Home Owners Association,
Hawaii Police Department Community Police Officer, and Environmental Management
to tag and remove abandoned vehicles that are impeding fire department response for
emergencies along with coming up with a plan for overgrown vegetation. A site visit
was also conducted on South Point area due to a request by Operations personnel of
the upcoming brush fire season. Meetings will have to be conducted with Department
of Hawaiian Homelands lessees for an evacuation plan, access to a water tank, and
erecting signs at the camping areas warning of the dangers of cooking with an open
flame which could start a brush fire.
Fire Inspector Tyson Goo and Fire Inspector II Royd Henderson taught the current
recruit class on Fire Prevention related subjects for two full days.
Logistics, Emergency Communication Section, and Vehicle
Maintenance Sections:
We have started the full face mask P100 mask deployment. The feedback has been
mostly positive. Looking to complete the distribution mid-May for career personnel and
May 2023 for volunteer personnel.
One person was interviewed for the temporary storekeeper position. Unfortunately the
temporary position closed with Eldred Kalehua’s retirement and the posting, interview,
and selection process will have to be redone.
Light duty personnel are expected to return to Operations in May and the logistics,
emergency communications center, and vehicle maintenance sections will once again
be managed without any support staff. As always, your patience and understanding is
appreciated.
A Fire Communication Officer II resigned on 4/30. She was a valued employee but
unfortunately, chose not to continue. We currently have four trainees and they are
doing well.
The vehicle maintenance section continues to operate shorthanded due to an injury.
BT09A was brought into Hilo and the vehicle maintenance section was able to get HFD
emblems and Sayre foundation stickers placed on the apparatus. HPD radio shop did
us a huge favor by fitting us in their busy schedule and installing the radio free of
charge.
Apparatus and equipment repair:
a. 72 total repairs/service
b. 18 service calls or trouble calls
c. 7 contracted out and tow
Vehicle maintenance section personnel prepared vehicles and paperwork for the
county vehicle auction.
No progress had been made in regards to granting Chris Cerrone sufficient user rights
to roll out the mobile data terminals with connectivity to our CAD system (Spillman).
We are currently working on mapping layers and anticipate distributing the MDTs with
limited functionality in anticipation of achieving Spillman connectivity sometime in the
future.
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o A one-month subscription has been purchased with Quick-Books Online with
eCommerce. We are hopeful that we can seamlessly transition from Trade Gecko
to this platform as our department’s equipment ordering platform.
End of Report