HomeMy WebLinkAbout10 FIRE CHIEFS REPORT FY20-21 APRILFIRE CHIEF’S REPORT
MAY 12, 2021
I. BUDGET
1) FY 2020/2021 - County Budget:
a) We are 10 months into our fiscal year budget cycle and our
spending continues to be on track but tight in the OCE portion of
the budget. Total current spending through April 30th is at 76.52%
with 83.28% of the fiscal year completed;
b) Salaries and Wages sit at 77% EMS and 79% EMS, however we
may see changes here as funding is shifted back to cover Cares
Funding per the fiscal department. At the moment we seem to be in
a stable position;
c) OCE purchases have been halted except for critical needs.
Spending has been forecast to go into the red by $35,000.
2) State Funded Budget Items:
a) EMS budget MOD 4 was approved by the legislature and we were
fully funded for this fiscal year. We await MOD 5 to see about the
funding for next fiscal;
b) State funding for lifeguards was cut by 50%. The County of Hawaii
is looking at a reduction in the high $600k for funding on the Big
Island. I have spoken with our Finance Director and the County is in
the process of figuring out how we will continue to staff the
beaches. At this time, there is no expectation of lowering coverage
at H puna or Kua Bay.
3) FY 2021/2022 – County Budget
a) Supplemental request for Fire Protection and Safety Supplies was
partially approved and $209K was added to the line item.
II. ALTERNATIVE FUNDING AND GRANTS
1) SAFER Grant – Grant submitted for six (6) Captain Positions and three (3)
FF positions. No updates.
2) Daniel R. Sayre Foundation:
a) Off Road Tanker for South Kohala Fire Station was deployed to
South Kohala. Laura Mallory-Sayre arranged for a blessing of the
new vehicle;
b) Off Road Tanker for the North Kohala Fire Station donated by an
anonymous donor arrival is expected mid-May;
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c) Sayre Foundation application for the County of Hawai i Non-Profit
Grant for approximately $70,000 for two Rescue watercrafts was
partially approved and we will have funding for an additional rescue
watercraft. More information below.
3) FEMA AFG for Covid-19 - we are purchasing PPE and supplies currently
we have spent approximately $204,000.00, we have a balance of
approximately $141,000 left to spend.
4) FEMA AFG for 2021 has been completed and submitted we have
submitted for extractors for all of our fire stations (no change).
5) Grant from State of Hawai’i Department of Health Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Division was approved for $60,998.58 which will be used for training of
paramedic and ocean safety in mental health first aid. Kudos to Stacy
Domingo for her hard work in procuring this.
III. HUMAN RESOURCES
Recruitment
1. Internal Recruitment within the Department:
a) Fire/Hazmat Specialist – Pending scheduling of interviews;
b) Prevention Inspector I – Written exam have been completed.
Referred list from DHR has provided four (4) candidates. Upon
finalized logistics for interview/assessment, notices will be sent for
candidates;
c) Fire Captain – Written exam is scheduled for 05/11/21. Notices
have been sent to 20 candidates;
d) Fire Equipment Operator – DHR referred 60 candidates. Currently
reviewing for MQs. Written exam is scheduled for 05/24/21.
2. Open-Competitive Recruitment:
a) Fighter Recruit (FFR) Physical Agility Exam (PAE) we have 60
candidates that are in the Application Phase. Currently reviewing
applications and preparing for Accuplacer Phase of the recruitment.
To be scheduled in April;
b) Water Safety Officer (WSO) I, based on available positions and
candidate ranking plus preferences, eight (8) conditional offers
were sent and seven (7) have passed all pre-entry medical
appointments. We will be sending Formal offers with targeted hire
date of 05/17/21 for summer hires and targeted hire date of
06/01/21 for permanent P/T positions and temporary not-to-exceed
hire;
c) FRD I – Written exam scheduled. Pending referred list from DHR;
d) Accountant IV – Received referred list from DHR with seven (7)
eligible candidates. Interview were conducted yesterday. Notice of
hire will be sent out this week with a tentative start date of June 1st.
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Items for Prevention Bureau Reorganization & Reclassifications
1. Reallocation of Prevention Bureau Positions:
a) Preparation of packets are still process. Targeted effective has
extended to 06/01/21.
Employee Development and Training
1. On-going.
IV. EMERGENCY OPERATIONS DIVISION
BATTALION 1, East Hawai i
1. Apparatus updates:
a) Rosenbauer build (BT-17), no new updates on status.
Incidents
1. April 8, Inc #06832; RESCUE: District 03, Stainback Hwy., Missing Maile
pickers. Two (2) male parties missing. Search initiated and then resumed at
first light April 9th. Both parties located with one (1) injured and transported to
hospital by ambulance, no other injuries, or fatalities.
2. April 9, Inc #06874; FIRE: District 18, 15-1409 16th Avenue, Single family
residence Structure Fire. Approximately 50% loss of structure, no injuries, or
fatalities.
3. April 20, Inc #07678; FIRE: District 11, Moa’ula Camp/Cloud Rest, Structure
Fire farming storage building, no injuries, or fatalities.
4. April 20, Inc #07704; RESCUE: District 10, Kalapana Gardens, Overdue
hiker. One (1) female party separated from group. HFD and HPD personnel
searched area. HPD officer located female. Female transported to Hilo
hospital by M10 due to AMS/probable dehydration, no other injuries, or
fatalities.
5. April 23, Inc #07899; BRUSHFIRE: District 11, 60 mm (Makai side),
approximately 150 acres, no injuries, or fatalities.
Training
1. Department wide CPR retraining for all personnel.
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Special Services/Events
1. Nothing to report.
BATTALION 2 West Hawai i
Incidents
1. April 5, Inc #06555; FIRE: District 14, Vehicle and detatched garage fire,
Four Seasons. Fire contained to unit of origin, no injuries.
2. April 7, Inc #06740; RESCUE: Paddle boarders in distress Kealakekua Bay.
21-years old female and 7-years old male assisted to shore by Co. 6
personnel.
3. April 7, Inc #06758; BRUSH FIRE: District 07, fire in homeless encampment,
extinguished by Co.7, no injuries.
4. April 20, Inc #07659; EMS: District 14, Shark bite victim at Kukio Beach. 57-
years female with shark bite to leg, treated and transported to hospital.
5. April 25, Inc #08010; SPECIAL SERVICE/RESCUE: Boat and Trailer
submerged in Honok hau Harbor. Hazardous condition and potential
environmental hazard. HFD divers assisted by performing diving operations
to assist tow company with extrication.
6. April 27, Inc #08153; RESCUE: District 9, Injured Hiker - White Road Co. 9
hiked into White Road trail and extricated 30’s male hiker, M09 transported
to ER.
Training and Education
1. April 19 & 20; National Fire Academy Officer Training at Kona ARFF Training
room.
2. Department wide CPR retraining for all personnel.
Special Services/Events
Nothing to report.
SPECIAL OPERATIONS
HazMat
1. Working on scheduling Confined Space Training for all HAZMAT personnel.
2. No other significant events.
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Ocean Safety
1. iPads: Set up completed, working with Ocean Safety Captains on distribution
and familiarization training.
2. WSO III (Ocean Safety Lieutenant) recruitment: Robin Fasciano has been
promoted to the WSO III position as of April 16.
3. Water Safety Officer I (WSO I) recruitment: Performance Assessment Exam
and interviews completed. Conditional offers sent and awaiting results of
Pre-Entry physical and Drug Test, before formal offers are sent out. Working
on preparation for new hires, Basic Training.
4. Street LG program for Ocean Safety incident reporting: Conducted two (2)
Administrator training sessions with the vendor. Next step will be to finalize
digital report layoput and start Train the Trainer sessions.
5. RWC procurement status: Bids have been received and contract awarded for
two (2) new Power Watercrafts and sleds. Still awaiting the delivery of SKIs.
6. USLA recertification has been approved.
7. Working with the EMS Bureau for Emergency Medical Responder (EMR)
retraining for Guards.
Rescue
1. Discussions continuing for replacement of our Rescue Boats. The Sayre
Foundation has showed an interest in assisting with the purchase of a new
vessel.
2. Working on planning for Dive Rescue Recertification for Rescue Personnel.
3. Working on planning for Confined Space Training for Rescue Personnel.
Sayer Foundation
1. Big Dog Tanker: Registration and Radio installation has been completed. The
apparatus is now at South Kohala Station for familiarization training. Blessing
and donation Ceremony held on May 1.
2. The BME Tanker: Expected delivery date in mid May.
3. Non-profit grant for replacement RWC: The Sayre foundation has been
awarded the non-profit grant from the County of Hawaii. However, it was for a
portion of the intial request. We will be able to purchase one (1) SKI and Sled,
along with covering the cost of a new RWC Operator training course.
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V. SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION
Training Bureau
1. Six (6) HFD personnel attended and completed National Fire Academy
course: Incident Command and Resource Management for the Fire Service.
2. Coordinated three (3) sessions of Firefighter Rehabilitation and Carbon
Monoxide (CO) training. HFD paramedic class students collaborated with the
Training Bureau and EMS Bureau to draft a policy to address this operational
need.
3. Projected start date for joint recruit class is August 1. Preparations are
underway.
4. Ground ladder training curriculum hands-on trials are near completion and will
be assigned for all Operations personnel starting next month.
5. Conducted CPR refresher training for Fire Administration, Prevention Bureau,
HFD paramedic class, and HAZMAT 21.
Volunteer Training Division
1. All Volunteer companies were given a class on radio communication followed
by a hands-on wet drill
2. Added three (3) new volunteers to Company 1A, Pepe ekeo. We also have
seven (7) volunteer applicants at various companies at various stages of the
application process.
3. Captain Andrade attended a County Human Resources training class on
conducting effective interviews.
4. Manually re-entered data that was lost due to the County server crash. Data
is now backed up on office computers, USB drives, and cloud storage.
5. Worked with Chief Todd and Mrs. Laura Mallory-Sayre to replace some of the
equipment that was lost due to a burglary at the Volcano Volunteer Fire
Station in March. The Sayre foundation has purchased approximately $1,500
worth of equipment for company 19A in Volcano.
Emergency Medical Services Bureau
1. We are currently in the process of recertifying our Department in CPR. This
recertification process is done once every two (2) years and for the first time
we are using a blended learning delivery through the American Heart
Association’s Basic Life Support curriculum.
2. Our seven (7) paramedic students continue to do well in class and are
expected to graduate in January 2022.
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3. The EMS Bureau is assisting with our firefighter rehabilitation program. We
will be assisting with various issues such as heat emergencies, carbon
monoxide toxicity, nutrition, and hydration challenges on the fireground.
4. BC Honda did an EMS Bureau briefing with Chief Todd and Chief Hayashida.
5. The EMS Bureau assisted with our Department’s budget presentation for the
County Council.
6. The EMS Bureau participated in a virtual trauma site review for Hilo Medical
Center. This was a comprehensive review done over a two-month duration
conducted by the Trauma Center Association of America. This review is
essential for Hilo Medical Center to be recognized as a level III trauma center.
Fire Prevention Bureau
1. The Fire Prevention Bureau held an Inspector I, test and four personnel
passed. All four (4) applicants have participated in the current 24-hour pilot
program. This is the most applicants that have passed the Inspector I test.
This interest will help tremendously with filling Bureau staffing, which has
been a challenge in the past.
2. The Fire Prevention Bureau continued the 24-hour schedule and saw many
benefits. One of these benefits has been the ability to keep up with
construction plans submitted for Fire Department Review. Last month the
Prevention Bureau reviewed over 60 plans submitted for review.
3. Two (2) Fire Inspector I’s continue in their T/A positions as Captains in the
Bureau. These Inspectors continue to take on larger responsibility in the
Bureau including doing more technical plan review, overseeing large
inspection projects, and training our T/A Inspectors. We also had a Fire
Equipment Operator transfer back to the Prevention Bureau as an Inspector I.
We are happy to have another permanent team member.
4. As our community begins to reopen, the Prevention Bureau has shifted our
attention to maintenance inspections. This is to ensure that businesses are
safe to start servicing the public. This would include making sure that all fire
protection equipment is serviced and in a ready state.
5. The Fire Prevention Bureau investigated one (1) fire.
Maintenance Shop
1. Apparatus and equipment repair:
Eighty-nine (89) total repairs/service;
Thirty-five (35) service or trouble calls;
Nine (9) contracted out tows.
2. Received new Big Dog Tanker for South Kohala Fire Station.
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Fire Communications Control Center (FCCC)
1. Fire Radio Dispatcher III (FRD III) Leanne Kapahu appointed Private
Secretary to the Fire Chief.
2. Fire Radio Dispatcher I (FRD I) Allison Ford completion of 9th month of
training (of one-year training program) progressing well. Anticipated to start
Dispatch coverage after completion of 10th month of training. TA to Fire
Radio Dispatcher II (FRD II).
3. FRD I recruitment. Hiring process under way. Awaiting receipt of qualified
candidate list following written exam proctored by County HR. Anticipated
start of August 2021.
4. Explore potential avenues to address critical staffing shortage:
a. Activation of MDTs;
b. Light duty Fire Personnel assigned to Dispatch;
c. Hiring Contract Employee;
d. Schedule modifications;
e. Assistance of other Communications Centers.
5. Online Training for FCCC personnel – APCO Communications Training
Officer Course. Course focuses on one-on-one training and development.
To provide consistency as relates to on-the-job training of new hires. Funding
request through E9-1-1 Board.
6. Last month celebrated Telecommunications Week. Fire and Police
Communication Centers highlighted on the County of Hawaii Home Page and
Hawaii Tribune Herald article. Thank you to everyone in the Department who
remembered our Dispatchers.
7. Promotion FRD III Tasha Kodani effective April 1, 2021.
Fire Auxiliary Services
1) Warehouse sent out $11,838.69 worth of personal protective equipment and station
supplies for a total distribution of 776 items in the month of April. Total this fiscal
year is at $159,951.52, and 7,537 items not including the $138,275.00 spent on
bunker gear. These totals do not include the EMS supplies or their costs.
2) All non-essential purchases on currently on hold at the advice of the Department of
Finance:
a) 47K Lion PPE order on hold;
b) 40K Allstar boot order on hold;
c) 30K Hose order for 1.75”, and 2.5” hose on hold.
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Repairs/Purchases/Maintenance
1) STN 12 freezer replaced.
2) STN 2 Kitchen AC broken.
3) STN 1 Office AC broken.
4) STN 12 Oven not functioning.
5) STN 21 Septic system pump need repair, cover needs replacement.
6) STN 2 requesting bed replacements.
7) STN11 requesting 2 bed frame replacements.
VI. New Projects/Business
Chief’s Briefing / Discussion
1) Permission to research the possibility of transitioning Fire Commission meeting to
Council Chambers:
a) Transition to section/bureau presentation format (leadership training);
b) Streaming of meetings required viewing access at Stations;
c) Distribution of this document.
2) EMS Downgrade/ Paramedic Shortage:
a) 36-hour double time limit issue;
b) 2-to-1 work to rest ratio.
3) Upcoming BC Meeting March 19th.
4) Upcoming promotions/hiring, interest in sitting in?
5) Chief’s actions:
a) Station Visitations, County Council, Department Heads;
b) Current Administration Focus;
c) Financial Literacy push.
6) Individual meetings with Fire Commissioners.
7) F2 Selection Process.
8) CIP section in report.