HomeMy WebLinkAbout12 FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT FY 22-23 JUNE
2023 | JUNE FISCAL YEAR 22-23
FIRE CHIEF’S
REPORT
V Hawai’i Fire Department
25 Aupuni St., Suite 2501
Hilo, Hawai’i 96720
fire@hawaiicounty.gov
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2023 | JUNE
Department Highlight ............................................................................................... 2
Budget .................................................................................................................. 3
Fiscal Year 2022-2023 ...................................................................................... 3
Personnel Report ..................................................................................................... 4
Internal Recruitment within Department ................................................................ 4
Open-Competitive Recruitment ........................................................................... 4
Classification ................................................................................................... 5
Operations ............................................................................................................ 5
Statistics and Analytics ......................................................................................... 5
Emergency Operations Highlights ............................................................................ 7
Battalion 1, East Hawaiʻi ..................................................................................... 7
Battalion 2, West Hawaiʻi ................................................................................... 7
Special Operations ............................................................................................... 7
Support Services ..................................................................................................... 8
Emergency Medical Services Branch ......................................................................... 8
Training Services Branch ....................................................................................... 9
Fire Prevention Branch .......................................................................................... 11
Logistics, Emergency Communications, and Vehicle Maintenance Section ........................ 11
Emergency Communications ............................................................................... 11
Vehicle Maintenance Shop ................................................................................. 12
Information Technology Highlights ...................................................................... 12
TABLE OF
CONTENTS:
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2023 | JUNE
DEPARTMENT HIGHLIGHT
The Hawai'i Fire Department's summer promotional
ceremony highlighted the achievements of seven personnel
on June 16, 2023. With friends, family, and department
members as witnesses, honorees took an oath to faithfully
discharge the duties of their respective positions, followed
by a heartwarming pinning ceremony in which loved ones
secured the honoree's new badge to their uniform.
Deputy Fire Chief Eric Moller served as emcee, with guest
speakers Hawai'i County Managing Director Lee Lord, Fire
Chief Kazuo Todd, Fire Chaplain Renee Godoy, and
Hawai'i Fire Fighters Association representative Charlie
Spain delivering messages of commendation. Many thanks
to Friends of First Responders for the refreshments and the
Promotional/Retirement Ceremony Committee for their
vision and work in organizing this memorable event.
To many more!
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2023 | JUNE
BUDGET
Fiscal Year 2022-2023
Statistics Percentage
Percent expended OCE 99.36%
Salaries 97.74%
Equipment 98.47%
Total 97.96%
State-Funded Budget Items
We collected $23,184,337 from the State for FY 2023. An amendment is pending a contract
from the State to increase the award by $620,990 for FY 2023 to compensate for the BU11
increases implemented during the fiscal year.
The FY 2024 contract is not finalized, but we expect to see an increase from the FY 2023
contract.
Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER)
Federal Grant of $3,511,641 for six (6) Captain positions and three (3) Fire Fighter positions for
36 months. As of June 30, 2023, we have expended 54.18% of the grant funds with 19 months
remaining.
USDA, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region, State & Private Forestry
Federal grant award of $197,637 (with County match of $197,637) for FY 2022, with extension
to February 28, 2023. The grant funds have been 100% expended. As of 6/30/2023, we
have received $157,839.04 in federal reimbursement.
USDA, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region, State & Private Forestry
Federal grant award of $156,120 (with County match of $156,120) for FY 2023. This grant
includes funds for personal protective equipment, hoses and fittings, firefighting foam, a brush
truck for Volunteer Station 20A and training. The bid for the brush truck for Volunteer Station
20A was awarded to Orchid Isle Auto Center for $177,674.27. The grant modification was
executed on June 9, 2023. The gran tis extended through March 31, 2024 and the budget and
narrative was revised. There is 7.2% of the grant award remaining.
The federal grant application for FY 2024 was submitted in April. We expect to receive a
grant award of $278,590, with a county match of $278,590, for a total award of $557,180.
We plan to use the funds to purchase PPE and three brush trucks.
FY 2021 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG)
Federal grant award of $494,900 (with County match of $49,490) for the period August 29,
2022, through August 28, 2024. The award for 17 30-pound Washer/Extractors and 21
Cabinet Air Dryers was awarded to Hawaii PPE Services, LLC in June. The grant is 71%
expended as of June 30, 2023.
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2023 | JUNE
Hāpuna Beach State Park
State grant award of $895,505 for lifeguard services plus $100,000 for equipment for FY
2023. Personnel Costs at 100% expended as of 6/30/23. Equipment purchased includes one
new 2023 Ford F-150 pickup truck, trailer, accessories, and an Apple I-pad.
Kua Bay, Kekaha Kai State Park
State grant award of $480,000 for lifeguard services plus $100,000 for equipment for FY
2023. Personnel Costs at 100% expended as of 6/30/23. Equipment purchased includes
pressure washers, Lifepak AEDs, megaphones, one new ATV, and Motorola radios, batteries
and chargers.
PERSONNEL REPORT
Internal Recruitment within Department
Fire Captain
Assessment center/interviews completed on June 26, 2023 for seven candidates.
Fire Equipment Operator
Practical assessments completed on June 7-8, 2023 and interviews completed on June 15,
2023 for 14 candidates.
Fire/Hazardous Materials Specialist
Assessment center/interviews completed on June 27, 2023 for three candidates.
Fire Rescue Specialist
Assessment center has not been scheduled yet.
Open-Competitive Recruitment
Fire Safety Specialist
Recruitment opened on June 4, 2023 and closed on June 13, 2023. Pending referred names
from DHR. Recruitment is now on continuous recruitment.
Fire/EMS Recruit
One candidate. Completed all medical appointments. Targeted hire date is August 1, 2023.
Fire Communications Officer I
DHR referred 86 names. Letter of interest and realistic job preview letters to be sent out.
Fire Fighter Recruit
Formal offers sent out to 18 candidates. Targeted hire date is August 1, 2023.
Accountant III
Interviews were completed for seven candidates. Keiko Furukawa promotion effective July 16,
2023.
Senior Account Clerk
Interviews were completed for six candidates. Formal offer sent out. Pending response from
candidate.
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2023 | JUNE
Account Clerk
Requested second new open recruitment. DHR referred four names. Interviews to be scheduled.
Clerk III (Administration)
Interviews were completed for two candidates. Jordyn Mantz to be hired effective August 16,
2023.
Water Safety Officer I
DHR referred 56 names. PAE tentatively scheduled for August.
Classification
One Fire Communications Officer II temporary reallocation to Fire Communications
Officer I effective June 16, 2023.
Two Fire/EMS Specialist I positions reinstated to Fire Fighter effective June 16, 2023.
OPERATIONS
Statistics and Analytics
Total Calls for Calendar Year 2023
Type June % YTD %
Fire 107 4% 539 4
Overpressure, Rupture, Explosion- no fire 2 0% 3 0%
Rescue and EMS 1,811 72% 11,159 73%
Hazardous Cond. (no fire) 16 1% 163 1%
Service Call 171 7% 998 6.5%
Good Intent calls 349 14% 2,303 15%
False Alarm / False calls 41 2% 182 1%
Severe Weather 1 0% 5 0%
Special Incident Type 1 0% 10 0%
Other (not completed yet) 1 0% 1 0%
Totals 2,500 100% 15,363 100%
Year 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Est. 2023
Total Calls 25,331 26,869 25,015 27,398 29,594 30,726
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2023 | JUNE
Incidents by Month and Classification
Response Times CY 2023
Statistic June % that meet.… YTD % that meet...
Avg. Turn out time (Fire) 3:01 (80 sec.) 8.91% 3:23 (80 sec.) 8.91%
Avg. Turn out time (EMS) 2:30 (60 sec.) 13.49% 2:27 (60 sec.) 13.74%
Statistic June % that meet 4 min. YTD % that meet 4 min
Avg. Response Time (Fire) 12:30 20.56% 11:22 20.78%
Avg. Response Time (EMS) 9:24 31.38% 9:17 31.57%
Fire Impacts CY 2023
Call Type June YTD
Wildland calls (140, 141, 142, 143) 23 92
Acres burned 3 2,168
Structure Fires (110 & 111) 7 43
Property and Contents - Loss $473,700.00 $3,968,555.00
Property and Contents - Save $00.00 $629,440.00
Other fires (all other 100 series) 78 404
Property and Contents - Loss $44,500.00 $135,500.00
Property and Contents - Save $00.00 $500.00
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2023 | JUNE
Emergency Operations Highlights
Battalion 1, East Hawaiʻi
6/4/23, Rescue
Inc #13163, Rescue: Ihope Rd/District5, missing hunters. Hunters located in daylight hours. No
injuries reported.
6/8/23, Structure Fire
Inc #13555; Fire: Tiki Gardens/District 10, structure fire, total loss with no injuries or fatalities.
6/10/23, Special Event
Live Like Tre event at UH Hilo. Companies 1-4 participated in Static Display.
6/19/23, MVA
Inc #14493, EMS: 26mm DKI/District 4, motor vehicle collision, 2 critical and 1 serious injury
with at least one flown out by Air-Ambulance.
Battalion 2, West Hawaiʻi
6/3/23; Rescue
Inc #13120 Rescue: Missing Diver- Kapaʻa Beach Park. Diver located and brought back to shore
by Jet Ski in the area.
6/4/2023, Brush Fire
Inc#13232 Brush Fire District 15 Kēōkea Beach Park
6/30/2023, Structure Fire
Inc# 15416 Structure Fire: Kitchen fire at Charley’s Thai Rest. After hours, heavy smoke
showing, forcible entry made. Sprinklers put out fire, assisted owners with salvage and
overhaul. No injuries.
Special Operations
Haz-Mat
Candidates for Continuing Challenge identified, Training Notice forthcoming.
Continuing to finalize Specs for New HazMat 4 apparatus.
Makalei C shift, Captain Matt Ho won 2nd place in the HEER unknown sample
Ocean Safety
WSO V Class Specs sent back to DHR for review.
New WSO recruitment initiated, PAE set for mid-August.
Jr Lifeguard program ongoing. Planning for Big Island Championships at Hapuna on
July 29, and states on August 19 on Oahu in conjunction with the Water Safety
Conference.
Rescue
RB7 at Boat House for repairs. Initial work (transom) has been completed. Deposit for
additional work (drive legs) has been paid, awaiting parts and repair.
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2023 | JUNE
Working on FY 24 equipment needs for Rescue companies.
New X-vehicles to be purchased this FY, finalizing vehicle specifications.
Incident heat map for June 2023
SUPPORT SERVICES
Emergency Medical Services Branch
Paramedic Student Updates
Our five personnel in paramedic school traveled to Honolulu during the last week of June for
their psychomotor testing and final written exams.
Nine personnel have applied for the upcoming Fall Paramedic class which is set to begin on
August 16, 2023. As part of Kapiolani Community College’s selection process these individuals
will be participating in an oral interview, EMT knowledge exam and psychomotor testing as
part of the final selection for this upcoming class.
Our paramedic preparation courses continue. In the month of June two pediatric online courses
were made available to our paramedic school candidates. FMS II K. Inaba hosted a class on
sepsis for our future paramedic students via Zoom.
Sapphire Medication Pumps
Our Sapphire medication pumps have been deployed and in-service training has been
completed. Big mahalo to FMS III Kanae and our equipment/training committee for their hard
work with this process.
CPR/AED Training
A Hands-Only CPR / AED training was held in Captain Cook for 35 teenagers at the Society
For Kona’s Education & Art Youth Camp.
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2023 | JUNE
CPAP Device Roll Out
We are currently in the process of rolling out a new CPAP device. The 02-Max continuous
positive airway pressure adjunct from Pulmodyne is one of the industry leaders of disposable
devices on the market. This disposable CPAP is used in a wide range of respiratory distress
emergencies. In-service training is currently being provided to station personnel.
VitalTalk Presentation
Our community paramedicine personnel participated in an educational presentation with
VitalTalk. VitalTalk is a nonprofit training organization for clinicians assisting with education
on how to communicate effectively with seriously ill patients and their families. This webinar
focused on end-of-life decision making and procedures for community members island wide.
Ironman Triathlon Standby
EMS Branch assisted with standby personnel at the Ironman 70.3 Triathlon held on June 3,
2023 at the Fairmont Orchid Resort. Approximately 1,300 athletes participated in this year’s
event.
Training Services Branch
Lithium-Ion Battery Training
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) in
partnership with the State of Hawaii Department of Health (DOH)
Hazard Evaluation and Emergency Response Office (HEER), the United
States Department of Transportation (USDOT) Pipeline and Hazardous
Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), and The Haz Mat Guys
Productions, Incorporated delivered free training sessions and
tabletop exercises focused on Lithium-Ion Battery emergencies held in
Hilo and Kona. Twenty-eight personnel attended the training, which
raised awareness and ability to respond effectively to these incidents.
Live Fire Training at PTA
Captain Troy Gibson, Captain Matthew Hoeflinger, Captain Keone Roback, FEO Bran
Keopuhiwa, Firefighter Micah Tanoai, and Firefighter Arcas Aikau assisted in providing live fire
training for all Hawai’i Island State of Hawaii ARFF line personnel at Pohakuloa Training Area.
EMD and ProQA Training
Ten Operations personnel, along with BC Hara attended Emergency Medical Dispatching and
ProQA Training at Haihai Training Room.
Physical Exams/Screening for Firefighters
Began introductory meetings with Hilo Medical Center on how to support optimum physical
exams for firefighters with a focus on screening for cardiac risk factors.
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2023 | JUNE
Volunteer Training Section
Joint-Company Training
Volunteer Companies 8-Alpha (Pa’auilo), 9-Bravo (Kanehoa), 16-Bravo (Pu’uanahulu), and 7-
Bravo (Kalaoa) participated in a joint training at station 16. The multi-company wet drill
simulated a wildland fire encroaching the WUI (wildland urban interface). Multiple topics were
covered in the training such as communications, ICS (incident command structure), water
usage, apparatus placement, managing resources, and wildland fire fighting tactics.
Pro-paks Issued
East Hawaii Volunteers from Pepeekeo to Discovery Harbour were issued Pro-pak foam
application systems (mentioned in last month’s report). They were also taught the proper way
to operate, troubleshoot, clean, and store this equipment.
1Alpha (Pepeekeo)
Worked on vehicle pre-trips and maintenance, and held a station clean up.
5 Bravo (Hawaiian Acres)
Volunteers have been busy chasing down numerous calls in their community for nuisance fires
and smell of smoke type calls. They have been busy fixing and upgrading their vehicles on their
own. Work on the Volunteer Station has been completed with a new roof, coat of paint, and
water tank.
5 Charlie (Fern Forest)
Worked on vehicle maintenance and paperwork.
5 Delta (Fern Acres)
Responded to 1 vehicle fire, 1 trash fire, and held an additional training for their members.
7-Bravo (Kalaoa)
Responded to a vehicle fire, rubbish fire, and brush fire.
8-Alpha (Pa’auilo)
Responded to and assisted in firefighting operations at the Kukuihaeli Brush Fire and Pa’auilo
Mauka Brush Fire. They were also toned out to 6 other small rubbish fires.
10 Delta (Ainaloa)
On June 8, volunteers assisted units from Stations 5, 10 and 18 on a residential structure fire
on Paradise Court (IID:230013555), shortly after assisted Company 10 on a 2-car vehicle fire at
Pukalani Dr. (IID:230013568).
11 Charlie (Discovery Harbour)
Volunteers responded to 2 rubbish fires in the Green Sands subdivision, 1 unauthorized burn
and 1 structure fire in the Mark Twain Subdivision.
16-Bravo (Pu’uanahulu)
Performed maintenance on their apparatus and equipment. No call outs.
19A (Volcano Volunteers)
During the month the four volunteers contributed a total of 73.5 hours toward the mission of
the Fire Department. Recruitment drive resulted in one individual applying for a
position. Driver training continued for the three current volunteers, with emphasis on pre-trip
inspections. Vehicle maintenace conducted in the station is ongoing as needed and consumes
much of the total hours. Review training conducted on the use of the foam Pro-pak device
along with maintenance.
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2023 | JUNE
Fire Prevention Branch
Highlights
Battalion Chief Palani Kurashige and
Inspector John Requelman attended the
NFPA Convention and Expo in Las Vegas,
Nevada from June 19-22, 2023. They were
further trained on Fire Inspections, Fire
Investigations, Code adoption, Maintenance
Inspections, and Code Enforcement.
Fire Investigation conducted in District 11 with
an undetermined cause.
West Hawaii personnel have been busy with
fire alarm testing for most of HPA Upper
Campus.
The Fire Prevention branch investigated ten (10) complaints, conducted two (2) fire
investigations, gave four (4) public education presentations, and reviewed fifty (50)
plans.
Fire Prevention Inspections, Acceptances, & Certificates, June 2023
Inspection Type June
Commercial Inspections 63
Commercial Reinspections 38
Fire Protection System Acceptance Testing 35
Educational Inspections 16
Certificate of Occupancy 12
Tank Inspections 2
Tent Inspections 1
Educational Reinspections 1
Total 168
Logistics, Emergency Communications, and Vehicle
Maintenance Section
Emergency Communications
Fire Communications Officer I Class
FCO I class is moving along and FCO I are working hard to complete didactic and scenario
portions. Fire personnel have voluntarily signed up for EMD coursework
Mechanic Shop Update
Chief Mechanic Roark is on leave and new TA will be mechanic S. Wilbur
New Ordering System
Beta testing is in progress for the new ordering system and should be implemented soon.
Thank you Chris Cerrone and Lauren Sarme for the hard work on this rollout.
District 11 Fire Investigation
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2023 | JUNE
Records Requests
Our clerk L. Labrador completed 20 record requests for the month.
Vehicle Maintenance Shop
Apparatus and Equipment Repair Updates:
Type June
Repairs/Service Completed 98
Service/Trouble Calls 59
Contracted Out and Tows 11
Also in June: Performed DOT inspections for fire department vehicles.
Information Technology Highlights
IT support for EMD and ProQA training at Haihai Fire Station.
Haihai training room projector replacement.
Replacement of failed switch for Central Fire Station.
Replacement of failed Vehicle Power Distribution Unit (VDPU) for X02.
Cellular SIM replacement for HR02.
Attend meeting for new Joint Communication Center.
New CAD workstations (for fire and police) initial specs for Joint Communication
Center.
Completion of RFP for new NFIRS software vendor.
Finalize new eCommerce site and timeline established for site switchover.
END REPORT
Outgoing Fireworks Auditor Michael Matsui was celebrated for his 42 years of service
to the Hawai’i Fire Department and the Big Island community on June 23rd.
Mahalo, Mike!