HomeMy WebLinkAbout12 FIRE CHIEFS REPORT FY21-22 JUNE
Hawai’i Fire Department
fire@hawaiicounty.gov
808-932-2900
25 Aupuni St., Hilo, HI 96720
FIRE CHIEFS REPORT
FY 21-22: JUNE
Strive not to be a success,
But rather to be of value.
Albert Einstein
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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: ________________________________________________________________ 7
Battalion 1, East Hawai i ___________________________________________________ 7
Battalion 2 West Hawai i ___________________________________________________ 7
Special Operations: _______________________________________________________ 7
SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION ___________________________________ 8
Emergency Medical Services Branch: _________________________________________ 8
Training Branch: __________________________________________________________ 9
Volunteer Training Section: ________________________________________________ 10
Fire Prevention Branch: ___________________________________________________ 10
Logistics, Emergency Communication Section, and Vehicle Maintenance Sections: ____ 10
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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
June 1, Council Appearance No. 14 (Ice Machine)
June 2, Volunteer Shaping Meeting
June 8, Cabinet Meeting
June 9, Volunteer Organization Meeting
June 9, Hurricane Outlook Meeting
June 13, Hualalai Fire Service Meeting
June 14, H weo Award
June 14, State Fire Council
June 15, Big Island Wildfire Coordinating Group Meeting
June 16, HFCA Fire Conference Venue Meeting
June 16, HFD Frontline Command Discussion
June 17, Mutual Aid Meeting (PTA)
June 20, Coffee with the Chief
June 21, Paramedic Recruitment Meeting
June 21, Station Visitation (DC)
June 21, HFCA Conference Budget Meeting
June 22, Cabinet Meeting
June 23, Station Visitations (DC)
June 24, Land Board Review for New Station 1
June 24, Emergency Back-Up Plans for FCCC Meeting
June 28, Fiscal Reorganization with DHR
June 29, Fire Admin Clean Up Day
June 30, Fire Commission Meeting
Outreach
June 1, Hakalau Neighborhood Watch
June 3 , Career Fair (Civic)
June 4 , Career Fair (Civic)
June 6 , Vibrant Hawaii Meeting
June 11, Domestic Violence Towards Animals
June 13, Photo Shoot with Hawai i Water Service Company
June 18, Career Fair (WHCC)
June 18, Waikoloa Evacuation Day
June 25, LGBTQ+ Pride Parade
June 28, Na’alehu Food Distribution Event
June 24, Vibrant Hawai i Meeting
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BUDGET
FY 2021-2022
FY 2021-2022 - County Budget:
Total spending through June 30, 2022, is at 98.55% (pre-audited) at the end of the fiscal
year completed.
The closing process is expected to be complete at the end of July.
County funded budget
Salaries & Wages closed at 98.53% Fire.
OCE expenditures closed at 99.08% in Fire.
The liability of $200,000 in dozer rental costs was paid by the Department of Finance.
State Funded Budget Items:
We have billed the State, and received reimbursement for, costs through December 2021.
We expect to complete the third quarter billing by the end of July, and the final billing the
first week of August.
FY 2022-2023
The Budget for FY 2023 passed Council on June 2, 2023. Our final budget with
modifications is expected at the end of June. We received an additional $143,000 from
Council Member Kierkiewicz to have a Strategic Master Plan prepared.
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 6/30/22 is $533,446.50.
USDA, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region, State & Private Forestry
Federal grant award of $197,637 (with County match of $197,637) for FY 2022. The
budget is amended to reflect 100% purchases of supplies and the grant period is being
extended through February 2023. Current expenditures as of 6/30/22 is $103,640 plus
$184,346 in encumbrances. There is 27% of the grant award remaining.
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). As of 6/30/22, the grant is 100%
expended.
H puna Beach State Park
State grant award of $895,505 for lifeguard services for FY 2022. Personnel Costs at 94%
expended as of 6/30/22. 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 65%
expended as of 6/30/22. 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 Equipment Operator – Fire Fighter Tai Scarbrough promoted effective July 1,
2022. Fire/Emergency Medical Services Specialist II Mark Mochida voluntary
demotion to Fire Equipment Operator effective July 1, 2022.
Fire Captain – Recruitment opened on July 3, 2022 and closed on July 12, 2022. 15
names were referred from DHR.
Fire Equipment Operator - Recruitment opened on July 3, 2022 and closed on July 12,
2022. 49 names were referred from DHR.
Internal Recruitment within the County
Storekeeper – Applicant did not show up for interview scheduled on June 22, 2022.
Submitted amended Request to Fill form for Open Recruitment.
Account Clerk – Recruitment opened on May 29, 2022 and closed on June 7, 2022. No
internal applicants. Submitted amended Request to Fill form for Open Recruitment.
Open-Competitive Recruitment
Fire Communications Officer I – Three names were referred. Interview and
assessment scheduled on July 11, 2022. No applicants participated in interview.
Fire Fighter Recruit – PAE scheduled for July 23, 2022 at Hilo High School.
Account Clerk (Temp) – Hired Lauren Williamson effective July 1, 2022.
Two Account Clerks (Permanent) – Hired Keiko Furukawa and Nicole Konanui effective
July 18, 2022
Fire Communications Officer I – New recruitment opened on June 5, 2022 and closed
on June 14, 2022. Pending referred names from DHR.
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Storekeeper – Recruitment opened on July 10, 2022 and will close on July 19, 2022.
Pending referred names from DHR.
Classification
a) Human Resources Specialist I position temporarily reallocated to
Human Resources Specialist II effective June 16, 2022.
b) Allocation of four Clerk III positions effective July 1, 2022. Submitted allocation
packets for three Clerk III positions for the Auxiliary Services Bureau, Fire Prevention
Bureau, and the Training Bureau.
c) Extension of temporary reallocation of one Water Safety Officer I (1/2) position
effective August 1, 2022.
Labor Relations
a) New Hire Orientation scheduled for August 12, 2022 – One employee to attend.
b) PAR Training – Ongoing for supervisors.
EMERGENCY OPERATIONS DIVISION
Total Calls for CY 2022
Type June YTD
Fire 61 516
Overpressure, Rupture, Explosion- no fire 0 1
Rescue and EMS 1,797 10,468
Hazardous Cond. (no fire) 21 103
Service Call 126 926
Good Intent calls 303 2,029
False Alarm / False calls 29 191
Severe Weather 0 2
Special Incident Type 1 9
Other (not completed yet) - -
Totals 2,338 14,245
Turn-Out Times CY 2022
Call type June % that meet 1 min. YTD % that meet 1
min.
Fire Suppression 2:08 15.12% 2:07 18.37%
EMS 2:06 12.42% 2:04 13.98%
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Updates:
CDBG-MIT grant funding update: Status Quo, Funding timelines remain the same for
July. Continuing to work on building Specifications for approved items.
Chief Okinaka along with the Operations BC’s, met with the new Supervisory Captain’s
at PTA to discuss response planning and management. These are new positions that
PTA created to fill the role of a BC in their organization.
Special Service Events
Company 2 assisted with Lei draping of the of the Kamehameha statue for
Kamehameha Day.
The department provided water patrol and standby services for the 1st annual King
Kamehameha Awesome Athletes canoe race on June 12 at Hilo Bayfront. This event
showcased special needs athletes. SKI-1, beach lifeguard and Company 1 supported.
Company 1A and F2 participated in the LGBTQ+ pride parade on June 25 in Hilo.
Battalion 1, East Hawai i
June 1, 2022, Inc #11985; Rescue: Hilo
Bay/District 02, Disable vessel, towed in by
RB02, no injuries or fatalities.
June 2, 2022, Inc #12050; Fire: Hawaiian Acres
Rd 5 & B/District 05, Structure Fire, no injuries or
fatalities reported.
June 15, 2022, Inc #13144; Fire: Leilani Estates
Alapai St/District 10, Structure Fire, no injuries or
fatalities reported.
Battalion 2 West Hawai i
June 8, 2022, Inc #12567; Rescue/EMS: Helicopter crash, Dist.20 in remote lava field
near Hawaii Ranchos subdivision. Unable to access via department vehicles. C1, C2,
conducted the extrications of all parties (6 patients). All parties transported to KCH via
C2, M11, and M6. No deaths
Special Operations:
Hazmat
FHMS on Light Duty assisted Chief Okinaka with equipment and supply needs. They
were able to identify the needs and get quotes secured for purchasing them. We are
looking to request for support from the LEPC to help with purchasing some of these
items.
4 personnel attended Chemical Safety Days workshop on Oahu.
Working on identifying and approving attendance at various other Hazmat related
training opportunities on the mainland.
Ocean Safety
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Consultation letter sent to HGEA to discuss increasing part time positions to full time
status. This will provide opportunity to increase staffing at our beaches.
USLA RWC Training Program Certification still pending.
iWaterman RWC operator training scheduled for the week of August 15-19. We will
have 8 personnel attending this training who will in turn become our departments RWC
training program instructors.
Rescue
Rescue Boat 2 (Force) engine replacement. Bid have been received and approved.
Waiting for scheduling of replacements.
Sayre Foundation
Fundraiser dinner is on for Labor Day weekend (September 3) at the Fairmont Orchid.
SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION
Emergency Medical Services Branch:
Training and Education:
Our 50th fire recruit class has completed EMT training. They are currently in driver
training and will graduate on July 15, 2022.
The EMS Branch is currently assisting the 51st fire recruit class with the Kapiolani
Community College EMT program registration process. This is a lengthy 4 step
process which also includes vaccination and titers documentation.
Our fall 2021 MICT students are currently finishing up their 3rd rotation of internship.
They will begin their last rotation at the end of June which will run until the end of July.
The upcoming fall 2022 MICT class is currently going through the Kapiolani
Community College acceptance process. We currently have 6 applicants going
through this process. We anticipate one more individual from our department joining
this class during their clinical portion of training. .
Operations:
The EMS Branch is a partner in an island-wide community Fentanyl awareness
education initiative. We have participated in the production of an educational
commercial on Fentanyl that will air shortly on our local TV channels. We have also
participated in multiple community educational presentations.
We would like to say congratulations to Tom Clark who is the most recent recipient of
the Haweo award. This Haweo award is presented by the Hawai‘i County Council to
outstanding Hawai‘i County employees. Thank you, Tom, for your continued hard
work, commitment, and outstanding leadership as our EMS warehouse manager.
During the month of June our department was faced with an uptick in critical cases
across the island. We would like to say thank you to all operations personnel for all
their hard work and for the outstanding service they provide to our community.
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The EMS Branch will be incrementally sending in our current CF-20 Toughbooks for
warranty repair and servicing before the end of the year. We are working with the
State Department of Health on possible laptop replacements.
We are in the final stages of securing our FY 22-23 budget. In this budget we have
requested a 1.2 million dollar increase for ambulance replacements. This request has
made it through the legislative process without amendments and is currently with the
office of the Governor awaiting his signature.
The EMS Branch is currently working on our next quarterly base station meeting. This
meeting has been set for August 11, 2022 starting at 0900hrs at Queen’s North Hawai‘i
Community Hospital. A department memo with detailed information will be sent out
shortly.
Injury Prevention:
The EMS Branch has been assisting with FMS II vacancies island-wide. We would like
to thank everyone for their assistance during these challenging times with our FMS
shortages.
Training Branch:
Attended virtual meet and greet with Underwriter’s Laboratories Firefighter Safety and
Research Institute regarding integrating research in to fire department training
programs. Meeting was hosted by UL Educational Director Derek Alkonis, Assistant
Chief (retired) Los Angeles County Fire, and attended by Honolulu and Maui Fire
Department Training Staff.
The 50th Firefighter Recruit Class completed initial Driver Training to obtain their HFD
Driver Training Permit. The class was sent out to fire stations island-wide for two
weeks to obtain road hours and learn station work routines. The recruits are set to
graduate this month, on July 15.
The 51st Recruit Class completed Incident Command
System Training, obtaining certification at the 100,
200, 700, and 800 levels to fulfill initial recruit training
program requirements. Further, the class completed
four days of “Nozzle Forward” engine company
operations training, swim week, and the classroom
portions of HFD Driver Training. The class is currently
out at various fire stations to gain emergency
response experience and be oriented to station
routines.
Fourteen personnel attended 40 hours of Emergency
Vehicle Driver and Structural Pumper training at two
separate sessions hosted by HI-DOT ARFF in order to
obtain Pro-Board certification. Feedback was
overwhelmingly positive.
Collaborated with P hakuloa Fire and Emergency Services to provide three days of
auto-extrication and vehicle stabilization training to Kona HI-DOT ARFF personnel.
Eleven personnel were trained in accordance with NFPA 1403 to conduct live fire
evolutions at Pohakuloa Fire and Emergency Service’s flashover simulator to build
capacity to instruct future programs.
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Volunteer Training Section:
The topic for June’s training was fire hose, hose streams, and hose operations.
Volunteer companies were given classes and performed wet drills as part of their
monthly training.
Several volunteers attended Driver Training with the 51st recruit class.
2 Volunteers from 7B attended the EVD/Pro-Board Driver Operator training at Kona
ARFF.
Some volunteers from the west battalion continue to show their dedication to the
department and community by commuting to Dr. DeSilva’s office for their AME,
uncompensated.
Captain 1A – Kalani Haina, spearheaded the research for a waiver to allow emergency
vehicles access over the weight restricted Hamakua bridges. The waiver was signed
by Chief Todd and submitted to the State for approval.
Volunteer Captain Kalani Haina along with Operations BC Keoki Brown, Prevention
Captain Royd Henderson, and Volunteer Training Captain Matthew Komata attended a
Neighborhood Watch and Hakalau Community meeting focusing on disaster readiness
and emergency preparedness. Fire personnel answered multiple questions from the
community. Also in attendance was Councilwoman Heather Kimball.
Engine 1A participated in the Pride Parade on Sunday, June 26.
Company 5C Fern Forest was able to host a wet drill at their newly reacquired station
in the Fern Forest subdivision.
Fire Prevention Branch:
The Fire Prevention Branch investigated 2 structure fires during the month of June.
The fires were located in Districts 10 and 18.
The Fire Prevention Branch conducted 12 Public Education Presentations and
reviewed 71 Plans for Hawai‘i Island.
Fire Prevention Branch personnel conducted 211 inspections to include 111
commercial inspections, 22 Commercial Re-inspections, 4 Certificate of Occupancy, 8
Educational, 0 Educational Re-inspections, 43 Fire Protection System Acceptance
Testing, 6 Site Inspections, 2 Fireworks shows, 4 Tent inspections, and 9 Tank
inspections.
Prevention Branch conducted 22 Request-For-Information and Comments combined.
Fire Prevention Branch also investigated 7 complaints.
22 fire investigation records/reports were researched and sent to the requested
parties).
East Hawai‘i Fire Prevention Branch personnel conducted a Pre-Plan site visit at the
HELCO Puna Power plant in Kea‘au with Company 5 personnel. This was a joint effort
to fulfill the Hazardous Materials Technician annual certification and to visit an
identified target hazard for emergency planning.
Logistics, Emergency Communication Section, and Vehicle
Maintenance Sections:
Mobile Data Terminal project is proceeding, and we are testing with units in Hilo as we
slowly bring these systems online.
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Out of the five initial trainees, we have only one remaining Fire Communications
Officer I. Alternative scheduling has been discussed at great length to address the
critical staffing shortage in FCCC.
We conducted several talk story sessions with the Deputy from Honolulu EMS, a BC
from Honolulu Fire, a supervisor at Honolulu Fed fire dispatch and HGEA on improving
recruitment and retention in FCCC.
The annual inventory is being coordinated by ISA IV Chris Cerrone.
The warehouse storekeeper position is still vacant, as the one applicant did not show
up for their interview. The position has now been opened up for open recruitment.
FF R. Kawazoe is assisting in the warehouse while on light duty and is a tremendous
help.
Apparatus and equipment repair:
o 69 total repairs/service
o 21 service calls or trouble calls
o 13 contracted out and tows
June is DOT inspection month and the Vehicle Maintenance Section performed 122
DOT inspections.
The warehouse has shifted small engine repair and other small miscellaneous work over
to Mechanic Aaron Buyuan. Keeping the work in-house has resulted in a significant cost
savings to the department.
End of Report