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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-03-23 Fire Commission MinutesHAWAII FIRE COMMISSION REGULAR SESSION MINUTES MARCH 23, 2023 HAWAII COUNTY BUILDING, COUNCIL CHAMBERS 25 AUPUNI ST., SUITE 1401, HILO, HI CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Vice Chair Wolf called the meeting to order at 9:03 a.m. Present: Carlene Wolf, Vice Chair Gregory Henkel, Commissioner Corey Luke, Commissioner Shon Magsalin, Commissioner Wesley Mattos, Commissioner Gene Nakashima, Commissioner A quorum was present. Absent: Gerald Kosaki, Chair Also present: Kazuo Todd, Fire Chief Eric Moller, Deputy Fire Chief Charisse Correa, Secretary Suzanna Tiapula, Deputy Corporation Counsel PUBLIC STATEMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS (None) APPROVAL OF MINUTES • Commissioner Henkel motioned to approve the regular and executive session minutes of February 23, 2023. Commissioner Mattos seconded, no discussion, it carried unanimously, and the minutes were approved. FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT Chief Todd highlighted items from the Fire Chief's Report. A detailed report is on file. Highlights: The Hawaii Fire Chiefs Association held a meeting to discuss the Hawaii Fire Chiefs Conference that was held in December, as well as some HFCA business. Friends of First Responders hosted an Emergency Responder Resiliency training at the Aupuni Center. The concept behind it was to present ways to cope with the stresses of the job. The quarterly Volunteer Captain's meeting was held on February 25t" at Station 913. This meeting focused on executive leadership and management of the division and a portion of that focused on acknowledging members who have been with them for a long time. Four Captains received their official shirts and were pinned. One of the takeaways from the meeting is that there is a big void of equipment that is required for the volunteer companies to keep themselves in operational status. They are currently working on how to address that issue. They are still working on getting firefighters in dispatch, temporarily to supplement HGEA civilian dispatchers until manpower numbers are back up. Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes March 23, 2023 Page 2 Budget: Chief Todd referred to the Chief's Report, and stated the numbers are on the high side and adjustments were made. He further explained that there's a spike because of all the catch-up payments that went out for raises and adjustments that should've been kicked in since the beginning of last fiscal year. Regarding the state - funded budget, HFD is a little behind on the billing for the EMS contract, but they'll be catching up with that this month and next month. The FY 2023 budget for the State EMS grant is $23,184,337. Five new ambulances were delivered and will be headed out to the stations in addition to the two that already went out. Alternative Funding & Grants: Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) federal grant was for six captain positions and three firefighters. They've been approved and are now putting together another SAFER Grant for the current fiscal year. They received approval to request an additional 12 firefighter positions, this is currently in the application stage. The USDA, Forest Service Grant award of $197,637 has been 100% expended. HFD is still moving forward with the USDA, Forest Service Grant (for FY 2023), an extension was requested due to supply chain issues. They're still working through their FY 2021 Assistance to Firefighter Grant (AFG), which was a grant award of $494,900 for the extractor. They're currently still working with DPW and the CIP to get the stations repaired so they can install the extractors. They applied for the AFG Grant this year to support training. They're also working on the Fire Protection and Safety Grant. The state allocated $100,000 for each of their state beach contracts, which will be for equipment. Personnel Report: Jason Robello and Jared Spencer were promoted to fire captains, effective February 16, 2023. Bran Keopuhiwa and Kyle Vares were promoted to fire equipment operators, effective February 16, 2023. Talmadge Magno II was promoted to Fire/EMS Specialist II. The Fire Rescue Specialist Assessment Center has not yet been scheduled. Medicals and orientations are being scheduled for firefighter recruits in May 2023, with a start date of August 2023. Seventy-seven names were referred by DHR for Fire Communication Officer I, interviews were held on March 3, 2023, conditional offers were made, and medical exams were scheduled for March 15-21, 2023. The targeted hire date is April 3, 2023, for six vacant positions. Recruitment opened for Professional Trainee I, on February 26, 2023, and closed on March 7, 2023, there was one referred candidate and the interview is pending. Recruitment opened for Senior Account Clerk, there was one referred candidate, and the interview is pending. Interviews were held for Clerk III in administration, targeted hire date is April 3, 2023. Three conditional offers were sent out for Water Safety Officer I, for two temporary summer hires and one permanent position, the targeted hire date is May 16, 2023. Total Calls for Service: Total calls for the calendar year is 5,249. At the end of the year, they're looking at approximately 30,000 calls, which would be an increase from the previous year, at 29,000. Chief Todd noted that the total calls for the year in the report are inaccurate, he believes the total calls for 2022 were around 29,000. Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes March 23, 2023 Page 3 Turn Out Times: Average turn out time for fire is 28% and 19% for EMS. The average response time for fire is 10 minutes and 25 seconds and the average for EMS is 9 minutes and 7 seconds. • Fire Impacts: Year to date, structure fires are at 16, wildland fires at 40, and a total of 2006 acres burned (2000 in February). • Emergency Operations: In East Hawaii, there was a structure fire in Hilo, on Stainback Highway, and another in Keaau, on Moho Road. There was a rescue at Bayfront for a body recovery. In West Hawaii, there was a brush fire at Mauna Lani and another at the Keamuku Maneuver Area (KMA)-PTA. Special Operations: ➢ HazMat: Risk -Based Response to Battery Emergencies class was completed. They requested funding from LEPC for mini -radiation monitors. The request has been approved and they're currently waiting for 15 units. Various training opportunities are being planned, such as CST, Li -Ion, and radiation. ➢ Ocean Safety: Interviews were completed for WSO I and conditional offers were sent out on March 3rd. They're working on making equipment purchases with the newly acquired funding, $100,000 per beach (Kua and Hapuna) ➢ Rescue: Rescue Boat 2 engine replacements were scheduled for March 10t" Rescue Boat 7 repairs are scheduled for April 10t". Chief Todd stated considering the state of their boats, it's time to get a new one. They'll be going through Port Securities for a rapid response unit. They're also working on their normal PPE and equipment replacement schedules and purchases. They were funded with an additional $113,000 which took their $5,000 budget to $118,000. This will be used for repairs that are not handled by DPW, such as garage doors, vent systems, and other maintenance at the stations. Emergency Medical Services: EMS assisted with four hands -only CPR classes at Waiakea High School and trained approximately 200 students. They have started their department -wide American Heart Association CPR recertification process, with the goal to complete it before the end of April. HFD received seven new ambulances. In February, HFD's ambulance fabrication committee went up to Braun Northwest for a pre -delivery vehicle inspection of five new ambulance units which they received. A Fire Medical Specialist II Assessment Center was held on Thursday, February 16t". New Sapphire Medication pumps arrived. HFD has an internship rotation for five personnel assigned to paramedic school, they're starting their first of four intern rotations. The annual Lifepak EKG and LUCAS compression maintenance inspections have started and should be completed by the beginning of March. Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes March 23, 2023 Page 4 Training Services: They're working on attack package evaluation for flow and friction loss on the engine and are trying to get that out as part of training. They also have Ladder 14 training. They're trying to get that ladder back up in operation and make sure that personnel are trained in its use and proper deployment. On February 7th they did some joint training evaluations for Central, Waiakea, and the Training Services Branch for Hilo ARFF at the Hilo Airport, Airport Control Tower. They've also been doing some new team member training for Liko who got promoted to the team. Wildland Urban Interface training was also completed in February, which consisted of personnel attending from DOFW, ARFF, and HFD. They also participated in Career Fairs. • Volunteer Training Section: The quarterly volunteer captains meeting was held on February 25th Chief Todd also reported that during the month of February, there were some interesting rescues from the flooding issues from the high rains. Two cars went off the road and got swept away. They shut the road down, but people went past the barricades. Fire Prevention: The Fire Prevention Branch investigated three structure fires during the month of February and reviewed a total of 42 plans. Four public education presentations were also conducted. They're working on a micro -grant for fire protection and safety equipment through the Federal Government (Assistance to Firefighters Grant). Logistics, Emergency Communications, and Vehicle Maintenance Section: Seven candidates were interviewed for the Communication Officer I positions on February 1st. A job preview was held on February 24th for three candidates. Captain Domingo who runs the dispatch center did some community outreach, attended a two-day behavioral health for mass violence class, and spoke to Hilo High students for career day. They're ensuring that they're up to date and in compliance with the Uniform Information Practices Act (UIPA). Repairs and maintenance in the vehicle section put out a total of 58 service calls, 23 trouble calls, and nine contracted -out events. Chief Todd reported changes to HFD's VPN system and other IT updates. Commissioner Henkel asked if there's a contact person for community outreach. Chief Todd advised that any requests can be sent to the general email, Fire(a)-hawaiicounty.gov, or via phone at (808) 932-2900, it's then farmed out to the most appropriate section in the department. He further explained they don't have a specific community outreach department or person, or even a PIO. Commissioner Henkel stated he's interested in hands -only CPR and mass violence classes for his school. Chief Todd expressed the importance of hands -only CPR and advised him to reach out and send a request via email. Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes March 23, 2023 Page 5 Vice Chair Wolf wanted to know what items were purchased with the Sayre Foundation funds. Chief Todd explained they don't purchase anything with the Sayre Foundation funds, the foundation donates equipment. The foundation chooses what is purchased based on HFD's needs or wants, but it's up to Sayers where they want to send that money. Oftentimes, donors will want to donate something specifically. Commissioner Mattos stated he went to service his boat and he saw what he thought was Station 7's Force in Kona. The mechanic told him that boat was from Hilo, it was Waiakea's boat. The boats from Kona are brought to Hilo to get fixed, but they bring the boats from Hilo to Kona to have them re -done. The Hilo boats got the funding for repairs, while the two Kona boats are just sitting outside the Waiakea Station, covered with moss. The mechanic stated the boat is worth $180,000 and it's just sitting there. Chief Todd stated that where the boats get repaired is not within his ability to control. He further explained the challenges and processes with finance. Chief Todd stated he will make sure that the boats aren't just laying out in the sun and growing mildew. EXECUTIVE SESSION (CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC) Commissioner Henkel motioned to meet in executive session to consider complaints against employees of the fire department, where matters affecting privacy will be involved, and for the purpose of consulting with the commission's attorney on questions and issues pertaining to the commission's powers, duties, privileges, immunities, and liabilities pursuant to HRS Sections 92-5, (a)(2)(4)(6) and the Hawaii County Charter 13- 20 (b). Commissioner Nakashima seconded, with no discussion, and it carried unanimously. Executive session convened at 9:55 a.m. Motion to reconvene open session was made by Commissioner Luke, seconded by Commissioner Henkel, and it carried unanimously, open session reconvened at 10:34 a.m. Chief Todd reported that he submitted paperwork for two additional positions, a WSO V position to run the Ocean Safety Bureau and a Clerk III. In a review of the budget, they identified money from the Ocean Safety Grant that hasn't been spent. Commissioner Henkel wanted to know what the rank would be for the WSO V, Chief Todd explained it would basically be equivalent to a battalion chief. Chief Todd also reported they're looking to establish an Air OPS branch in the future and maybe create an Air OPS BC. It's highly tentative and he is unable to share any additional details. Vice Chair Wolf stated since they were speaking about personnel, she just wanted to thank counsel for always being there and Ms. Correa for all her work. She stated Ms. Correa is in charge of both the Fire and Police Commissions. She asked Chief Todd if it was always that way. She stated in her opinion, it should be one individual for each Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes March 23, 2023 Page 6 commission. Chief Todd stated he has no control over that and he believes her budget is under the Mayor's budget. Ms. Correa stated her position is under the Police Department's budget. Chief Todd stated to his belief, Fire Commission meetings are far less contentious than the Police Commission's and that Fire was just an add -on. He stated he doesn't know if the Fire Commission has enough work for a full-time position, and he has no idea what the secretary does. DCC Tiapula stated the question would be, who is her backup if she's out? Vice Chair Wolf agrees and asked if Ms. Correa has an assistant. DCC Tiapula explained that Ms. Correa changed her vacation plans because of our meeting which we later canceled. Chief Todd stated the Police Department didn't think that the Police Commission's secretary should be under the Police Department's budget. There was a discussion about a year or two ago about moving the secretary's salary over to the Mayor's office. He further stated the Mayor's office used to handle the clerical and/or secretary duties for boards and commissions, you would have a pool of people and if one of them is out, another would cover. He's not sure about the status of this and stated he will talk to the Police Chief about it. Vice Chair Wolf stated at least have an assistant, just in case Ms. Correa is unavailable. Commissioner Nakashima asked if the mechanic shop and Chopper 1 are housed in an inundation area, in Waiakea. Chief Todd stated it is. Commissioner Nakashima asked if he knew there was land up in Waiakea Uka where you could build a new mechanic shop. Chief Todd stated he has paperwork going to the State to convert 5 acres next to the transit building. DCC Tiapula advised this should be agendized. Chief Todd stated a new repair facility was built for the Department of Transportation near the Hilo transfer station before you reach the racetrack. They have paperwork that basically claims the 5 acres right next to that facility and would build a mirror of it which would be for repairs, maintenance, etc. This could also be a relocation site for the Waiakea Fire Station because it's currently in an inundation area. He further explained Central Station is being moved into the old YWCA or YMCA Head Start property across from the Mormon Church. This will be temporary until they can refurbish the existing Central Station, and hopefully start construction of a new station. That building could then be used as a training facility where they're not worried about it being in an inundation area. His concern is that Central and Station 2 are in a tsunami area. Central will also be designed as a dual station, there would be four bays and two different dorms. The idea is to run two stations out of one. There's also a federal grant system for an EOC and he plans to work on this in the future. They're building a new dispatch center on Mohouli, and the best thing they can put on the property behind it would be a Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes March 23, 2023 Page 7 larger EOC center for the management of disasters. The current EOC center at the police station is too small and is also in a tsunami area. Ms. Correa asked if the commission still wanted this topic on the next agenda. The commission agreed to place it on the next agenda for discussion. Chief Todd reported stations 7 and 14 were being bulldozed and cleared, for potential hangers back there. There's a variety of projects they're moving forward with, possibly four mechanics as well. Two mechanics have been requested and they're still working on an agreement that may allow them to get mechanics. If all goes well, they'll build facilities in West Hawaii. ANNOUNCEMENTS Vice Chair Wolf announced the commission's next monthly meeting is scheduled for April 27, 2023, at 9:00 a.m., at the West Hawaii Civic Center, Building A, Council Chambers, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Kailua-Kona, HI. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Luke made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Commissioner Henkel, no discussion, it carried unanimously, and the meeting adjourned at 10:50 a.m. SUBMITTED BY: CHARISSE CORREA, SECRETARY APPROVED BY: GERALD KOSAKI, CHAIR