HomeMy WebLinkAbout01 FIRE CHIEFS REPORT FY21-22 JULY
Hawai’i Fire Department
fire@hawaiicounty.gov
808-932-2900
25 Aupuni St., Hilo, HI 96720
FIRE CHIEFS REPORT
FY 21-22: JULY
No man can become rich,
Without himself enriching others.
Andrew Carnegie
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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
Open-Competitive Recruitment ______________________________________________ 5
Open-Competitive Recruitment ______________________________________________ 5
Classification ____________________________________________________________ 6
Employee Development and Training _________________________________________ 6
EMERGENCY OPERATIONS DIVISION _____________________________ 6
Total Calls for CY 2022 ____________________________________________________ 6
Turn-Out Times CY 2022 ___________________________________________________ 6
Fire Impacts CY 2022 _____________________________________________________ 7
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
Volunteer Training Section: ________________________________________________ 11
Fire Prevention Branch: ___________________________________________________ 12
Logistics, Emergency Communication Section, and Vehicle Maintenance Sections: ____ 12
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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
July 5, HFCA Conference Planning Meeting
July 7, Vendor Meeting Darley Defense
July 11, Steve Erb Retirement Presentation
July 11, Emergency Communications Meeting
July 12, 2nd Branch Level Meeting
July 13, Cabinet Meeting
July 13, Grant Writing Collaboration
July 14, Fire Captain Written Test Review
July 14, Enhanced 911 Meeting
July 14, Fire Prevention Code Meeting
July 18, HFD Inventory
July 18, Dispatch Center Meeting
July 18, Fire Code Meeting (Zoom)
July 21, Fire Commission Meeting
July 23, Physical Agility Test
July 26, Helicopter Scoping Meeting
July 27, Cabinet Meeting
July 27, HWMO/PFX Lunch Hour Meeting
July 28, Recruitment/Retainment Presentation
July 29, WAVE Quote Update
Outreach
July 3, Commercial Fireworks Support
July 4, Commercial Fireworks Support
July 4, 33rd Turtle Independence Day
July 12, HWMO meeting
July 12, Revitalize Puna
July 14, Meeting with PTA for Shared Resources
July 14, Blessing of the Water Safety Craft
July 15, 50th Recruit Class Graduation
July 16, Relay for Life
July 21, Ironman Kickoff
July 27, Sayre Dinner
July 30, Fireworks Task Force
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BUDGET
FY 2022-2023
FY 2021-2022 - County Budget:
Total spending through July 31, 2022, is at 14.04%.
County funded budget
Salaries & Wages Regular is at 11.96% Fire.
Salaries & Wages Overtime is at 15.51% Fire.
OCE expenditures closed at 16.88% in Fire.
Salaries & Wages Regular is at 11.21% Ocean Safety.
Salaries & Wages Overtime is at 28.92% Ocean Safety.
OCE expenditures closed at 67.60% in Ocean Safety.
State Funded Budget Items:
Salaries & Wages Regular is at 9.78% EMS.
Salaries & Wages Overtime is at 27.59% EMS.
OCE expenditures closed at 9.99% in EMS.
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.
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 2023. Personnel Costs at
8.22% expended as of 7/31/22.
Kua Bay, Kekaha Kai State Park
State grant award of $480,000 for lifeguard services for FY 2022. Personnel Costs at
6.26% expended as of 7/31/22.
FY 2021 Assistance to Firefighters: Grant application was submitted 12/17/21 to FEMA to
purchase extractors for all fire stations. We have positive news, and we are in the process
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of gathering data for submittal to AFG FEMA on the locations that we would install the
extractors.
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.
CDBG: We will be submitting our proposals for 2023 CDBG on August 12th with the Office
of Housing and Community Development.
HUMAN RESOURCES
Internal Recruitment within Department
Fire Captain – Written exam scheduled on August 22, 2022 in Hilo and Kona.
Fire Equipment Operator – MQ review. Incomplete application and missing documents
are due by August 10, 2022.
Clerk III (Training Bureau) – Submitted Request to Fill Form for Intra-departmental
transfer.
Open-Competitive Recruitment
Fire Fighter Recruit – Application packets are due August 5, 2022 by 4:30 p.m.
Fire Communications Officer I – Two applicants scheduled for pre-entry medical
examination. Targeted hire date is September 1, 2022.
Fire Communications Officer I – Five names were referred. Two applicants scheduled
for interview/assessment on August 10, 2022. Targeted hire date is September 1,
2022.
Storekeeper – Pending referred names from DHR.
Clerk III (Fire Prevention Bureau) – Submitted Request to Fill Form for Open
Recruitment.
Clerk III (Auxiliary Services Bureau) – Submitted Request to Fill Form for Open
Recruitment.
Open-Competitive Recruitment
Fire Fighter Recruit – Application packets are due August 5, 2022 by 4:30 p.m.
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Fire Communications Officer I – Two applicants scheduled for pre-entry medical
examination. Targeted hire date is September 1, 2022.
Fire Communications Officer I – Five names were referred. Two applicants scheduled
for interview/assessment on August 10, 2022. Targeted hire date is September 1,
2022.
Storekeeper – Pending referred names from DHR.
Clerk III (Fire Prevention Bureau) – Submitted Request to Fill Form for Open
Recruitment.
Clerk III (Auxiliary Services Bureau) – Submitted Request to Fill Form for Open
Recruitment.
Classification
Reallocation of one Water Safety Officer I (1/2T) to Water Safety Officer II (1/2T)
effective August 1, 2022.
Reallocation of 14 Fire Fighter Recruit (Temp) to Fire Fighter (Temp effective August
2, 2022.
Employee Development and Training
New Hire Orientation scheduled for August 12, 2022 – Three employees to attend.
PAR Training – Ongoing for supervisors.
EMERGENCY OPERATIONS DIVISION
Total Calls for CY 2022
Type July YTD
Fire 103 619
Overpressure, Rupture, Explosion- no fire 0 1
Rescue and EMS 1,869 12,337
Hazardous Cond. (no fire) 23 126
Service Call 144 1,070
Good Intent calls 343 2,372
False Alarm / False calls 48 239
Severe Weather 0 2
Special Incident Type 2 11
Other (not completed yet) 4 4
Totals 2,536 16,781
Turn-Out Times CY 2022
Call type July % that meet 80 sec. YTD % that meet 80
sec.
Fire Suppression 1:61 16.90% 1:50 22.01%
EMS(1 min.) 2:04 15.02% 2:04 14.14%
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Fire Impacts CY 2022
Call Type July YTD
Wildland calls (140, 141, 142, 143) 34 130
Acres burned 509 1,119
Structure Fires (110 & 111) 11 61
Property and Contents - Loss $722,600.00 $6,021,680.00
Property and Contents - Save $366,400.00 $3,223,400.00
Other fires (all other 100 series) 59 429
Property and Contents - Loss $260,500.00 $549,352.00
Property and Contents - Save n/a n/a
Battalion 1, East Hawai i
June 27, 2022, Inc#14015, Fire: HPP 12th Avenue – Dist. 18, Structure Fire, one (1)
patient and no fatalities.
July 6, 2022, Incd#14793, Brush Fire: Discovery Harbor subdivision – Dist. 11, multi
day incident. Juvenile that started the brushfire was arrested and charged. Approx. 15
acres burned
July 10, 2022, Inc#15117, Search & Rescue: Swimmer in
Distress Ha ena beach – Dist. 5, C-1 extricated and
transferred to M-5. One (1) fatality, Drowning.
July 19, 2022, Inc#15830; Search & Rescue: Swimmer in
Distress, Kehena Beach – Dist. 10, one (1) injured female
treated and transported to Hilo Medical Center.
July 24, 2022, Inc#16244; Brush Fire: Ka alualu - Dist. 11,
multi day incident. Approx. 300 acres burned.
Battalion 2 West Hawai i
July 4, 2022, Inc# 14621; Brush Fire: Hwy 270 9mm.
Dist. 14, multi day incident. Approx. 60 acres burned.
July 13, 2022 INC# 15326 Structure Fire: Plumeria
Dr. Dist7. Single occupant 3 bedroom structure fire, fully
engulfed. Fire contained to house of origin, no deaths or
injuries. Scene turned over to inspectors for possible
arson case.
July 15, 2022 Inc# 15511; Search and Rescue: Paddle Boarder in distress fronting
Puako. Dist. 14. Person located and brought to shore by SKI-2.
July 17, 2022, Inc# 15696; Rescue/EMS: Paddle Boarder face down fronting Hale
Halawai. Dist. 7. Approx. 60’s male found unresponsive and brought to shore, in
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Cardiac Arrest. CPR and ACLS initiated and transported to KNER. (Incident occurred
during Large South Swell event)
July 21, 2022, Inc# 16030; Brush Fire: DKI at 50mm. DKI closed until next day, detour
through old saddle. Coordinated response with, and to support, PTA and DOFAW. Fire
contained by 0200 on 7/22/2022. HPD was on scene with initial responsible party,
transported to NHCH with partial burns. Caused by distraut party throwing a burning
shirt into brush area. Approx. 100 acres burned.
Special Operations:
Hazmat
Working with LEPC to fund replacements of Hazmat personnel personal radiation
monitors.
Various other equipment and supplies have been purchased for both stations.
Ocean Safety
PT to FT conversions status: Executive staff met HGEA to discuss increasing part time
positions to full time status. Awaiting formal response from HGEA.
USLA RWC Training Program Certification still pending.
iWaterman RWC operator training scheduled for the week of August 15-19 has been
rescheduled for September 19-22. Still on track for 8 personnel attending.
Rescue
Rescue Boat 2 (Force) engine replacement. Contract has been awarded to winning
bidder.
New lifejackets ordered for RB-2
PFD’s for Sealegs 7 has been received and issued.
Sayre Foundation
July 14: Held the Blessing ceremony for 2 new rescue Watercraft donations from the
Daniel R. Sayre Memorial Foundation.
Received donations of Ocean Safety equipment. Foul Weather jackets for all
personnel, fins, binoculars, and megaphones.
Other Events
July 2nd, Company 11 and volunteer companies participated in Na alehu
Independence Day Parade.
July 2nd: Volunteer Company 10D along with BC-1 and 2 FF s did an EMS standby
and volunteer recruitment at the Activate Puna Block Party in Old Pahoa town.
July 4th: Company 14 attended the 33rd Annual Honu Independence Day at the
Mauna Lani Resort.
July 4th: Company 7 and Volunteer Co. 7B participated in the annual Kailua Kona
Idependence Day Parade.
July 14: Company 6 participated in RIMPAC excercises at Kona Scenic park to secure
LZ for Blackhawk aircraft simulating a Mass Casualty transfer of patients from KCH to
Oahu.
July 14: Company 16 attended Live Ordinance Training
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SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION
Emergency Medical Services Branch:
The 50th recruit class completed their EMT training and have successfully completed
all of their national and state testing.
The 51st recruit class will begin EMT training on August 22, 2022. We have two State
trained and licensed EMTs in this class who will be put through our department’s EMT
evaluation process starting in early July.
The fall 2021 MICT class has completed their state exams and psychomotor testing
with Kapi’olani Community College. Two of these individuals are scheduled to
complete their internship in August and the third will be done in September.
We have 5 personnel who will be participating in the upcoming fall 2022 MICT class
which begins on August 22, 2022. We will also have one more individual who will be
joining this class during the internship phase of training.
The EMS Branch participated in an MICT recruitment and retention presentation that
offered some great ideas. Thank you very much to this recruitment and retention
steering committee for all your continued hard work and dedication.
As we are entering into the first quarter of this fiscal year, the EMS Branch is
coordinating multiple large purchases:
o We currently have 5 new medics out for bid. These new medics will replace the
units listed below. We will have an update on cost once this bid is awarded.
Medic 3
Medic 6
Medic 8
Medic 10
Medic 11
The 2 new medics procured last fiscal year that will be assigned to
Station 5 and 15 are tentatively scheduled to be completed in November
2022. Per Braun N. West this delay is due to a production lag of Ford F-
Series trucks.
o We are going through the sole source process to purchase 5 new Pro 28Z
FERNO gurneys with mounting hardware for the new medics and an additional
5 spare gurneys. The estimated cost for this purchase will be $123,000.
o 5 dual head fire radios and 5 dual head Medicom radios. The estimated cost on
this purchase is $70,000.
o Paperwork has been submitted to the expenditure review committee for a new
cargo delivery truck. We have completed the specs and are ready to move
forward with this bid if approved. This vehicle will replace our 2011 EMS cargo
delivery truck that is used weekly to deliver supplies island-wide.
o We have submitted our proposal to the Hawai‘i County Standardization
Committee to purchase new medication pumps. We are requesting the
purchase of Sapphire Multi Therapy IV Infusion Pumps. This is one of the most
popular pumps used in prehospital settings across the country, as well as
Hawaii. Projected cost for this purchase will be approximately $60,000.
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o We are also looking into purchasing more LUCAS compression devices this
fiscal year.
The EMS Branch has been busy working with the new chopper 2 steering committee.
Capt. Kanae recently went up to Reno Nevada to visit the REMSA Care Flight
aeromedical operations to evaluate the different medivac patient loading systems. He
also met with their aeromedical operations administrators to discuss their current
policies and procedures.
The EMS Branch had a meeting with Panasonic sales and the IT team in regards to
laptops. New laptops have been purchased by the State Department of Health and we
should be receiving them within the next three months. These new laptops will be used
to replace the CF-20’s that are currently being used in the field for our patient care
reports. The model they have purchased is the Panasonic FZ-G2 laptop. Our current
CF-20 laptops will remain under current warranty until the new ones are put into
service.
The EMS Branch participated with Community Paramedicine education at the National
Night Out held at the Lei Ohana Housing in Kona. Other community partners that
participated at this event were The Big Island Community Health Center, Family
Support Services and the Hawai‘i Police Department Community Policing Division.
The EMS Branch had a face-to-face quarterly meeting with the North Kohala
Community Hospital. Topics discussed included operational updates, emergency
contact information, Medicom communication procedures, patient transfers and
training.
Our Quarterly Base Station Meeting is set for 0900 – 1100 hrs on August 25th at the
Queens North Hawaii Community Hospital. A Zoom option is available. For further
information please see Training Announcement No. 2022-018.
Our EMS Captains have been assisting operations with FMS II coverage island wide.
Training Branch:
Training Branch staff and the 50th Recruit Class attended a training presentation by
Maui Fire Department Retired Battalion Chief Amos Lonokailua-Hewett hosted by the
50th State Chapter of the Fraternal Order of Leatherheads. The presentation centered
on lessons learned during the Hurricane Lane Brush Fire pertinent to incident
command, resource management, and training. The 50th State “FOOLS” is a non-profit
chapter of an international 501c3 that contributes to the future growth of the Fire
Service through service and professional development opportunities.
The 50th Firefighter Recruit Class graduation ceremony was held on July 15th. The
class consisted of 14 Hawai’i Fire Department personnel and 7 State of Hawaii DOT
Aircraft Rescue Firefighting personnel. Firefighter Chris Bergner was given the
prestige to be named “Most Outstanding Recruit” for overall excellence in academics,
drill ground performance, and consistent leadership. Firefighter Tobe Ka’ilimai was
awarded “Combat Firefighter Fitness” honors for being the fastest recruit to complete a
battery of firefighting tasks in full personal protective equipment and SCBA. Firefighter
Leona Lyons was recognized for “Highest Physical Training Score”, a monthly
assessment which includes a two-mile run, push-ups, pull-ups, planks, and 500 meter
swim. We are honored to welcome the members of the 50th Recruit Class into our fire
service family.
Twenty Personnel attended National Fire Academy training titled “Decision Making for
Initial Company Operations”. This two-day course is designed to develop the decision-
making skills needed by Company Officers to accomplish assigned tactics at structure
fires.
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The Firefighter Recruit Physical Assessment Exercise was held on July 23 at Hilo High
School. Of 89 candidates, 53 passed and will move on in the application process.
Interviews may be scheduled in October, with the next recruit class slated for February
2023.
The 51st Firefighter Recruit Class has completed the classroom portion and closed
course of the Driver Training Program, to obtain their HFD Driver Training Permit. The
closed course was also opened up to Emergency Operations companies, to include
our Volunteers.
Volunteer Training Section:
Volunteers from both East and West Hawaii have been taking advantage of the County
of Hawai‘i’s Training Catalog opportunities obtaining Defensive Driving and First
Aid/CPR/AED certificates.
Company 1A participated in the Independence Day Parade and assisted the Make-a-
Wish Foundation in building a batting cage for Hilo youth.
Company 10D & 18A set up a static display at the “Activate Puna” event sponsored by
County Councilwoman Ashley Kierkiewicz. This doubled as a recruiting opportunity
with many new potential volunteers expressing interest.
Companies 11A, 11C, 11D participated in the Ka’u
Independence Day Parade and fought several brush fires
in Discovery Harbour & South Point.
Company 5D – Fern Acres set up and manned an
information and recruiting booth at the Fern Acres picnic,
Engine 5D was retired from service and towed to the
mechanic’s base yard freeing up much needed space in
the Fern Acres Station.
Company 19A – Volcano set up an information booth
at their station at the Cooper Center complex during the
Independence Day Celebration.
Company 9B responded to 3 brush fires in July at Waiula, Akoni Pule, and Daniel K.
Inouye Highway. They also had 2 members drive over to Hilo to complete the Driver
Competency Course along with one other volunteer firefighter from Company 16B.
Company 9A also responded to the Daniel K. Inouye Brush Fire with their newly
donated brush truck.
Company 14A responded to 2 brush fires on Akoni Pule Hwy, one on the 4th of July
and the second one a week later.
Volunteer Firefighter Louie Morua 7B is assisting the Volunteer Training Branch in
getting volunteers their American Heart Association Heartsaver First Aid/CPR/AED
certifications, until the department can implement and fund our own program.
Firefighter Morua is a retired Fire Captain/Paramedic from California and an EMT and
Fire Academy instructor for Modesto Junior College, Regional Fire Training Center.
We thank him for his time and financial support for the training and certifications for
Company 7B.
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Company 7B hosted their annual 4th of July Pancake
Fundraiser for the Sayre Foundation with a significant
turnout. Company 7B also responded to the Discovery
Harbor Brush Fire and an aircraft emergency landing at Kona
International Airport.
Company 20B responded to the Discovery Harbour Brush
Fire and Ka’alu’alu Bay Brush Fire.
Fire Prevention Branch:
The Fire Prevention Branch investigated 5 structure fires during the month of July. The
fires were located in Districts 6, 7, and 10. For FY 2021-2022, Fire Prevention Branch
conducted more structure fire investigations for FY 2021-2022 (40) compared to fiscal
year 2020-2021 (24).
48 Plans were reviewed for Hawai‘i Island. Plan Review statistics for FY 2021-2022
were approximately 874 plans reviewed as compared to 483 plans reviewed for FY
2020-2021.
Two Fire Inspector I positions were promoted to Fire Inspector II positions who are
responsible for Plan Review. In June 2022, one of those Fire Inspector II personnel
was promoted to Fire Prevention Captain, leaving a vacancy in the Fire Inspector II
position.
Fire Prevention Branch personnel conducted 256 inspections to include 79 commercial
inspections, 61 commercial reinspection’s, 13 Certificate of Occupancy,11
Educational, 50 Fire Protection System Acceptance Testing, 6 Site Inspections, 4
Fireworks shows, 2 Tent inspections, and 9 Tank inspections.
Prevention Branch conducted 43 Request-For-Information and Comments Reports
combined.
The Fire Prevention Branch investigated 19 complaints. This is a large increase
compared to last month (7 complaints) as the public is increasingly concerned with
overgrown vegetation, brush, and mulch on their neighboring property during the
summer months and brush fire season. These types of complaints take a significant
amount of time to investigate and write reports which, unfortunately, reduces time for
other duties such as Plan Review and inspections.
23 fire investigation records/reports were researched and sent to the requested party.
The Fire Prevention Branch conducted 6 Public Education Presentations.
Logistics, Emergency Communication Section, and Vehicle
Maintenance Sections:
The remaining Fire Communications Officer I is scheduled to complete training at the
end of August.
Fire Communication Officer I interviews scheduled for August 10th, there are two
candidates.
The annual inventory was coordinated by IT C. Cerrone. It was turned into finance, a
police report was made for 376 missing items. We are confident next year’s inventory
will run much smoother.
The warehouse Storekeeper position is still vacant, and we have not received any
updates from DHR on applications. Light duty FF R. Kawazoe is filling in and doing
good work.
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Captain Domingo conducted hands only CPR at Waiakeawaena school for over 100
employees. It was a success and principal Ochi was very appreciative of the class.
Apparatus and equipment repair:
o Seventy two (72) total repairs/service.
o Twenty two (22) service calls or trouble calls.
o Nine (9) contracted out and tows.
End of Report