HomeMy WebLinkAbout04 FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT FY 23-24 OCTOBER
2023 | OCTOBER FISCAL YEAR 23-24
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 | OCTOBER
Outstanding Achievements ....................................................................................... 2
Admin Div: Fiscal Branch Report ................................................................................. 3
Program Budget Goals ....................................................................................... 3
Admin Div: HR Branch Report ..................................................................................... 4
Program Budget Goals ....................................................................................... 4
Internal Recruitment within Department ................................................................ 4
Open-Competitive Recruitment ........................................................................... 4
Employee Development and Training .................................................................... 4
Operations ............................................................................................................ 5
Statistics and Analytics ......................................................................................... 5
Emergency Operations Highlights ............................................................................ 6
Battalion 1, East Hawaiʻi ..................................................................................... 6
Battalion 2, West Hawaiʻi ................................................................................... 6
Special Operations ............................................................................................... 7
Support Services ..................................................................................................... 8
Emergency Medical Services Branch ......................................................................... 8
Training Services Branch ....................................................................................... 9
Volunteer Training Section .................................................................................... 10
Fire Prevention Branch .......................................................................................... 11
Logistics, Emergency Communications, and Vehicle Maintenance Section ....................... 13
Emergency Communications .............................................................................. 13
Vehicle Maintenance Shop ................................................................................. 13
Information Technology Highlights ...................................................................... 14
TABLE OF
CONTENTS:
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2023 | OCTOBER
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS
Executive Fire Officer Program
Assistant Fire Chief Ian Chadwick completed the Executive
Fire Officer (EFO) Program at the National Fire Academy in
Emmitsburg, Maryland. In the 30-year history of this
prestigious and highly-competitive program, only 23
graduates have been from Hawai’i. Chief Chadwick is the
second member of the Hawai’i Fire Department to earn this
qualification, Chief Darren Rosario being the first.
Cancer prevention in the fire service is a topic Chief Chadwick is passionate about, and thus
his capstone research paper, completed in year 4 of the program, was titled Barriers that
Prevent the Implementation of Cancer Reduction Strategies in the Hawai‘i Fire Department. He
sought to understand how to increase participation in Hawai‘i Fire Department’s cancer
reduction strategies and therefore reduce firefighter exposure to cancer causing agents. Chief
Chadwick intends to use the research he collected as a guide to action for the safety and
health of all personnel. Congratulations, Chief Chadwick!
County of Hawai’i Employee Recognition Program
The Hawai’i County Employee Recognition Program returned in October after a prolonged
hiatus due to the pandemic. The ceremony was an opportunity to highlight the diverse talents
and contributions of individuals who play pivotal roles in the success of our County. Our
department was well-represented, having nominees for each of the three categories:
Outstanding Manager, Outstanding Supervisor, and Outstanding Employee of the Year. Thank
you to those who took the time to submit nominations, and to those who showed their support
at the ceremony. It is a privilege to witness the sense of camaraderie and appreciation within
our ranks.
Battalion Chief
Chris Honda,
Outstanding Manager Nominee
Chief Honda shares his 30+
years of experience in EMS to a
level unparalleled among EMS
leadership. He was instrumental
coordinating with County, State,
and Federal healthcare agencies
combating the Covid-19
pandemic. The evolving
mitigation plans under his
leadership resulted in minimizing
catastrophic loss of life to our
ohana community.
Fire Captain
Matthew Ho,
Outstanding Supervisor
Nominee
Matt has served as the primary
safety officer on all the largest
events in HFD history including
the 2018 Leilani eruption and
the Mana Road Fire. Matt’s
attention to detail, willingness to
mentor subordinates and ability
to share his wealth of knowledge
has led to a safer operation and
a more efficient response to the
community’s emergencies.
Fire Medical Specialist II
Jeremy Tekurio
Outstanding Employee Nominee FMS Tekurio has been a
motivated, hardworking, eager,
yet humble leader amongst his
peers. He has served 11 years as
a paramedic on the busiest
ambulances on the island. His
knowledge, skill set, and
experience has shaped him to
become one of the most sought-
after preceptors and mentors.
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2023 | OCTOBER
ADMIN DIV: FISCAL BRANCH REPORT
PROGRAM BUDGET GOALS MONTH YTD GOAL
Invoice Settlement within 30 days 86% 88% 90%
Pay-out of CILV’s within 90 days 100% 100% 95%
Records Retention Schedule 0% 0% Mid-Year
Transition to Electronic Records 25% 25% 25% Qtr
Option Years for Contracts 100% 100% 45-Days
Budget Category Adj
Appropriation
YTD
Expenditures
% Used Goal
Fire S&W 36,921,218.00 13,517,461.98 36.61 37.50
6221-6225 OCE 5,960,567.32 2,510,882.41 42.12 33.33
Equipment 1,909,736.89 455,280.71 23.84 50.00
Grants & Misc S&W 1,385,051.00 345,087.89 24.92 37.5
6226 OCE 286,225.00 57,355.26 20.04 33.33
Equipment 637,669.04 454,320.94 71.25 50.00
EMS S&W 14,799,686.00 4,823,725.32 32.59 37.50
6227 OCE 2,610,639.77 776,694.61 29.75 33.33
Equipment 1,510,417.50 113,439.18 7.51 50.00
Ocean Safety S&W 4,791,124.00 1,431,896.22 29.89 37.50
6228 OCE 306,302.83 197,054.33 64.33 33.33
Equipment 248,789.31 69,125.31 27.78 50.00
Total Budget 71,367,426.66 24,752,324.16 34.68
Grant Update
2023 CDBG The requisition for two brush trucks is with Purchasing. The brush trucks will
be purchased for the Ka‘ū and Puna volunteer fire stations.
CDBG- MIT Wildfire
Mitigation
This grant will be used to purchase a brush truck for Ka‘ū , Kea‘au, and
Laupahoehoe fire stations.
FY 2021 AFG We received our order of 17 extractors and 21 dryers. Installation pending.
The grant is 71% expended as of 10/31/23.
FY 22 USDA Volunteer
Fire Capacity Project
The bid for one brush truck for volunteer station 20A awarded, pending
delivery.
FY 23 USDA Volunteer
Fire Capacity Project
The contract was executed in October. This grant will fund three brush trucks
for our volunteer fire stations. The equipment request to budget was
approved in October.
Puna Geothermal
Venture (PGV) funds
The bid for one mobile breathing apparatus unit awarded, pending delivery.
Staffing for Adequate
Fire and Emergency
Response (SAFER)
This grant funds three Fire Captain and six Fire Fighter positions. As of
10/31/2023, we have expended 67.77% of the grant funds with 15 months
remaining.
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2023 | OCTOBER
ADMIN DIV: HR BRANCH REPORT
PROGRAM BUDGET GOALS OCTOBER YTD GOAL
Process actions within 15 working days 19 95 100%
Recruitment Actions >30days 3 7 90%
Promotion Actions >30days 3 9 90%
Personnel Actions within 30 days, <10% error 17 110 10%
Internal Recruitment within Department
Position Status Report
Fire Rescue Specialist No vacancies. Recruitment expired October 11, 2023.
Fire/EMS Specialist II Interview/Assessment Center scheduled on October 17, 2023
for five candidates.
Fire/EMS Specialist I Fire Fighter Jose Vera Cruz III reallocation effective October 1,
2023.
Fire/Hazardous
Materials Specialist Fire Training Specialist Paul Umemoto promotion effective
October 1, 2023.
Fire Equipment Operator Fire/EMS Specialist II Jeremy Tekurio voluntary demotion
effective October 16, 2023.
Open-Competitive Recruitment
Position Status Report
Fire Safety Specialist
Interviews held on October 9, 2023 for three candidates.
Selected Christopher Sloman to be hired effective November
16, 2023.
Fire Communications
Officer I
Pending letter of interest and realistic job preview to be sent
out.
Fire Fighter Recruit
(Temp)
DHR referred 71 names. Letters for the PAE scheduled on
December 10, 2023 were sent out.
Fire/EMS Recruit (Temp) DHR referred six names. Letters for the PAE scheduled on
December 10, 2023 were sent out.
Water Safety Officer I Interviews held on August 25, 2023 for nine candidates.
Pending assignment to positions.
Clerk III (Auxiliary
Service Branch)
DHR referred seven names. Interview held on October 9, 2023
for one candidate. Requested new list since candidate was not
selected.
Clerk III (Ocean Safety
Branch) DHR referred seven names. Pending scheduling of interviews.
Employee Development and Training
New Hire Orientation – one Fire Fighter Recruit (Temp), one Professional Trainee I, and one
Clerk III attended on October 12, 2023.
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2023 | OCTOBER
OPERATIONS
Statistics and Analytics
Total Calls for Calendar Year 2023
Type Oct. % YTD %
Fire 89 4% 923 4%
Overpressure, Rupture, Explosion- no fire 0 0% 3 0%
Rescue and EMS 1,876 74% 18,608 73%
Hazardous Cond. (no fire) 17 1% 225 1%
Service Call 157 6% 1,663 6%
Good Intent calls 365 14% 3,925 15%
False Alarm / False calls 26 1% 294 1%
Severe Weather 0 0% 9 0%
Special Incident Type 3 0% 16 0%
Other (not completed yet) 0 0% 0 0%
Totals 2,533 100% 25,666 100%
Year 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Est. 2023
Total Calls 25,331 26,869 25,015 27,398 29,594 30.799
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2023 | OCTOBER
Response Times CY 2023
Statistic October % that meet.… YTD % that meet...
Avg. Turn out time (Fire) 3:21 (80 sec.) 6.56% 3:26 (80 sec.) 6.56%
Avg. Turn out time (EMS) 2:28 (60 sec.) 14.17% 2:28 (60 sec.) 13.97%
Statistic October % that meet 4 min. YTD % that meet 4 min
Avg. Response Time (Fire) 11:12 25.84% 11:52 20.28%
Avg. Response Time (EMS) 8:58 31.66% 9:12 31.51%
Fire Impacts CY 2023
Call Type October YTD
Wildland calls (140, 141, 142, 143) 15 178
Acres burned 2 3,422
Structure Fires (110 & 111) 9 74
Property and Contents - Loss $285,000.00 $6,080,530.00
Property and Contents - Save $150,000.00 $1,645,515.00
Other fires (all other 100 series) 65 671
Property and Contents - Loss $6,000.00 $149,300.00
Property and Contents - Save $00.00 $3,000.00
Emergency Operations Highlights
Battalion 1, East Hawaiʻi
10/7, Inc #23791; Structure Fire: Nohea St/District 3, Fire with large propane tank
venting, no injuries or fatalities.
10/15, Inc#24451; Search & Rescue: Piʻihonua/District 4, person jumped off the
waterfall into the water, injured female. M-1 personnel treated and transported the
patient to HMC.
10/26, Inc#25319; Search & Rescue: “Narnia”/District 4, person fell, injured male.
Co.2 personnel extracted the injured male with C-1. M-1 personnel treated and
transported the patient to HMC.
Battalion 2, West Hawaiʻi
10/1, Inc #23278; Structure Fire: District 20 no injures complete loss
10/17, Inc #24608; Search & Rescue: Swimmer in distress, District 7, 50’s male
drowning.
10/19, Inc #24747; Rubbish Fire: District 20, multiple cars and rubbish buried in a deep
hole on fire.
10/26, Inc #25345; Brush Fire: District 7, Aliʻi Dr. next to Aliʻi Lani condo, 100’x300’
area extinguished by in district units.
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2023 | OCTOBER
Special Operations
Haz-Mat
Nothing significant to report for Hazmat
Kaumana and Makalei Ludlum Rad meters calibration completed.
Continuing to finalize specs on trucks and Hazmat vehicle
Ocean Safety
WSO Transfers and new hires for Kohanaiki positions scheduled for December 16
Continue to work on equipment purchases for Kohanaiki and annual replacements for
all Ocean Safety
Kohanaiki Tower bid completed, award to be issued soon
Rescue
RB7 (Radon) update. Working with Fiscal to put the work out to bid to complete the fuel
tank replacements.
Just received notice from Force marine that they are soon to be ready to do the work on
the second Force (old RB7-7).
Submitted for annual rescue rope replacement and SCUBA equip maintenance
Incident heat map for October 2023
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2023 | OCTOBER
SUPPORT SERVICES
Emergency Medical Services Branch
Recertifications
Our Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support
recertifications have been completed.
County Council Meeting Attendance
EMS Branch personnel attended the Hawaii County Council monthly meeting for our FY 23-24
budget resolution.
Meeting with Department of Defense
The EMS Branch attended a meeting with Major General Hara. The meeting primarily focused
on local operations and the capabilities of the EMS system here on Hawaii Island.
Ambulance Update
Braun Northwest Inc. has been awarded our recent bid for the construction of 4 new
ambulance units. These 4 new ambulances will be assigned to the following stations listed
below:
Keauhou Fire Station
Waikoloa Fire Station
Central Fire Station
Ocean View Estates Fire Station
Additional LUCAS Compression Devices
Through the generous donation from the Hawaii County Council of $100,000, we were able to
purchase 5 more LUCAS compression devices. With this latest addition to our inventory, we
now have one LUCAS compression device on all 16 ambulance units. These five devices will be
assigned to the stations listed below:
Haihai Fire Station
Kailua Fire Station
Keauhou Fire Station
Waikoloa Fire station
Volcano Fire Station
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2023 | OCTOBER
2023 Hawaii Island Healthcare Conference
EMS Branch personnel attended the 2023 Hawaii Island Healthcare Conference that was held
at the Hapuna Prince Hotel on Thursday, October 5, 2023.
2023 Ironman Triathlon Participation
The EMS Branch personnel assisted at the 2023 Ironman Triathlon in Kailua-Kona that was
held on Saturday, October 14, 2023. A big mahalo to everyone who assisted at this event for
their outstanding work.
Ambulance Compliance Audits
The EMS Branch has been in multiple meetings with the state Department of Health regarding
the upcoming annual ambulance compliance audits. This is a mandatory audit from the state
and will be completed by the end of November.
Fire Medical Specialist II Assessment
A Fire Medical Specialist II assessment center was held on Tuesday, October 17, 2023. Five
personnel participated in this assessment center.
FERNO Certification/Recertification
Our 5 FERNO technicians have completed their mandatory two-day cot care recertification and
initial certification process. This is a mandatory certification which allows our personnel to
repair our FERNO cots. Listed below are our certified technicians:
BC V. Hara
FMS III M. Lam
FMS III K. Kanae
FMS III A. Mitchell
Fire Mechanic A. Buyuan
Training Services Branch
Recruit Class 52 Updates
Hawai’i Fire Department Recruit Class 52 has obtained their ProBoard
Firefighter I certification, successfully passing all cognitive and
psychomotor examinations. Training would like to extend our gratitude
to personnel from all agencies who have been integral to mentoring and
training our newest fire service professionals.
Recruits completed a multiple-day workshop pertaining hose handling.
The class learned various methods of effective hose deployment, flow
rates, and water application to conduct interior and exterior fire attack
for structural firefighting operations. On the final day, the class was
joined by sixteen cadets from the Ho’omau Fire Academy, where aspiring
youth were able to experience a day in the life of a firefighter recruit.
The Ho’omau Fire Academy is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization supported
by volunteers from relevant professions who mentor and guide young
adults for a career in Public Service.
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2023 | OCTOBER
Our firefighter recruits completed a week of “Truck Company Operations” training, where they
honed their skills in forcible entry, ground ladders, vertical ventilation, and structural search.
50th State F.O.O.L.S Class
BC Springer and Captain Roback attended the “Fire Stream Design, Development, and
Application Methodology” master class presented by Dennis LeGear and the 50th State
Fraternal Order of Leatherheads. The class covered a vast amount of technical content across
both structural and wildland firefighting, along with data from Underwriter’s Laboratory
research.
Resolution 333-23
The Training and Volunteer Services Branch collaborated in providing information to
Councilmember Ashley Kierkiewicz for Resolution 333-23 and accompanying exhibits urging
County support to mitigate the potential impacts of wildfires.
HazMat Refresher
The annual Hazardous Materials Refresher for both Operations and Technician level personnel
is at 90 percent complete.
Volunteer Training Section
Quarterly Volunteer Captains’ Meeting
1-Alpha (Pepeekeo)
Provided a static display at the Smoke and Fire Run. They also did more yardwork around their
station which resulted in green waste being removed by County Highways crews.
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2023 | OCTOBER
5-Delta (Fern Acres)
Conducted a service project by painting community bus stops after they were vandalized with
graffiti.
7-Bravo (Kalaoa)
Conducted several trainings during October including pump operation training, Wildland
Urban Interface hose evolution training, and structure fire exposure hose evolution training.
Co. 7-B also participated in a finance committee station visit on October 19th and had one call
out to a mulch fire.
9-Bravo (Kanehoa)
Conducted three trainings in October and also participated in a meeting with state and county
politicians at HFD Volunteer Station 7-Bravo Kalaoa.
10-Delta (Ainaloa)
Assisted on four callouts for nuisance fires.
16-Bravo (Waikoloa)
Conducted 3 Saturday trainings and one evening training on a Wednesday.
19-Alpha (Pu’uanahulu)
Members contributed 70-man hours this month with continued Vector Solutions orientation
and training and the servicing of Engine19A (2 volunteers assisted an HFD mechanic at the
shop, which still took 5 hours to complete).
Fire Prevention Branch
Highlights
1st Annual Smoke ‘N Fire Run
The Fire Prevention Branch coordinated the 1st Annual Smoke ‘N Fire 5K Race and Family Fun
Run on October 1st, 2023 at the University of Hawai’i at Hilo. Approximately 500
walkers/runners and 1000 total community members participated in this inaugural event that
promoted health and fire prevention. Thank you to those who volunteered and made this event
an outstanding success!
Outreach and Investigations
The Fire Prevention Branch completed 16 school presentations to elementary students around
the island regarding fire safety and in honor of Fire Prevention Week. Fire Prevention Branch
also taught Fire Prevention subjects to the current Fire Recruit class and conducted 4
Residential Safety Inspections. There were four structure fires in districts 3, 7, 18, and 20. Two
fires were accidental causes and the other two were undetermined.
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2023 | OCTOBER
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2023 | OCTOBER
Fire Prevention Inspections
Inspection Type October FYTD
Fireworks Site and Storage 0 12
Certificate of Occupancy 6 17
Commercial 22 137
Re-Inspections Commercial 12 85
Educational 3 15
RE-Inspections Educational 0 2
Fire Protection System Acceptance
Testing
10 70
Complaint Investigation 18 94
DOH Ag Burn Site Inspection 0 0
AST/UST/LPG Site Inspection 5 6
Tent Site Inspection 3 8
Occupancy Load Enforcement 0 0
Total 79 446
Logistics, Emergency Communications, and Vehicle
Maintenance Section
Emergency Communications
Fire Communications Control Center Updates
The four FCO Is just completed the second independent contractor evaluation for call taking
and dispatching.
In-Service Demo
Stations 12, 7, and 6 had an in-service demo of the Genesis extrication tool set. Thanks to
Captain Roback for setting this up.
Clerk III Vacancy
We are still actively working to fill the clerk position in auxiliary services
Final Inspections
The Vehicle maintenance section will be doing a final inspection at BME for 2 new brush trucks
Vehicle Maintenance Shop
Apparatus and Equipment Repair Updates:
Type October
Repairs/Service Completed 66
Service/Trouble Calls 15
Contracted Out and Tows 7
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2023 | OCTOBER
Information Technology Highlights
MDT install for X07
EPR FireWorks transition meetings.
Add products for Shopify EMS supplies store website.
Remove emails from Fire News Release List distribution group that were causing bounce
back messages.
Everbridge access for Captains and Fire Equipment Operators
END REPORT