The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2002-08-14 Fire Commission Minutes HAWAII COUNTY FIRE COMMISSION REGULAR SESSION - MINUTES August 14, 2002 Liquor Control Conference Room Hilo Lagoon Centre CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Commissioner Karen Maedo @ 10 ROLL CALL: PRESENT:ALSO PRESENT: Stephen BowlesDesmond Wery, Deputy Fire Chief Neil BrazierGerald Takase, Assistant Corp. Counsel Natalie FlattesLaurie Kaneta, Private Secretary Rudolph HartChris Loos, HawaiÒi Tribune Herald Louis KaoiwiDarryl J. Oliveira, Fire Chief Karen MaedoMartha A. Rodillas, Secretary Terry Wallace Melinda Polido, Corporation Counsel Staff Laura Ward A quorum was present. ABSENT: Dale Fergerstrom (excused) STATEMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS None. Commissioner Kaoiwi moved to include communication no. 02-92 to Commissioner Hart seconded the motion and it was unanimously car APPROVAL OF MEETING PROCEEDINGS Commissioner Kaoiwi moved to accept the July 10, 2002, regular and executive session minutes. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Bowles and una Commissioner Wallace made note that he was not present at July 10 meeting. Correction to be made. APPROVAL OF WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS Commissioner Kaoiwi moved to accept written communications numbers 02-83 through 02-92. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Hart and carried. CHIEFÓS REPORT Chief Darryl Oliveira reported: Budget: Working with accountants regarding fireworks fund. Sent three HFD personnel to a grant writing workshop, which was detailed and informative. Grants: HavenÓt heard from FEMA printout regarding the grant. Optimistic about receiving funds. Promotions & hiring: Will be conducting final interviews tomorrow. If any commissioner is interested in sitting in on the interviews, please let Chief Oliveira know. Position descriptions have been updated. Working on upda positions at the HFD. Commissioner Bowles stated that he received feedback regarding an inspector. Stresses to each employee to serve the community and improve business relations; not create antagonize business. Commissioner Wallace stated that in the past the inspectors were from the sick and lazy; this is a career move upward. Chief stated that they are encouraging personnel to enhance their career rather than ÐretireÑ and to seek incentives also. Commissioner Laura Ward may attend the interviews. Operations division: Conducted a research and development process. Develop breathing apparatus. Standardize equipment; consider the issuance of personal masks and face pieces for each individual. Products on the mark cons. There were three vendors that demonstrated their products. HFD staff will make comments and critique the products. Prevention bureau: Encouraging process to get inspector installed. Permit fees have not been assessed; revenue can be generated; ongoing investigation. Training division: Eight-week leadership program is concluding. For the September HFC meeting there will be a presentation made by two of the attendees. Service and equipment training have been held. Proper care of equipment and in-house service. Surplus equipment from Honolulu Fire Department Î portable generators, pumps, etc. being utilized by HawaiÒi County. The equipment is worthwhile acquiring and is serviceable. These can be used for the volunteer divisio 2 Volunteer division: Volunteer fire chiefs meeting was held in Ocean View. Thanked the Commissioners who attended. Chief Oliveira encouraged that we stimulate the bind that we are all Ðone organizationÑ. Next meeting is October 12 at the Kohala Fire Station. Commissioner Wallace encouraged fellow commissioners to attend the meetings. Chief Oliveira will update the Commission regarding meeting dates. A recruitment survey was conducted. There need to be incentives for the young groups to become volunteers for the organization. Equipment needs, response time, reserve or in-house program are areas that need to be looked at. Commissioner Maedo commented about high school student participation in the volunteer program. Chief Oliveira met with representatives of Hilo High School for ride along programs and for exposure in the EMS program. New business: Hazard material class of four weeks will provide a and Kauai County will be allowed to attend the class. In September five personnel will be sent to Sacramento for urban search and rescue training. The Mayor has identified his support for the office administration location and has made it a priority on the CountyÓs list of improvements. Two sites are being looked at. The site will be permanent. Chief has been researching training facilities i.e., steel structure. Working with departments and did research on the building. Met with Councilman Tyler and Bolton Construction. Looking at changing the design to best meet the needs of the community. Public Relations: In August, firefighters are volunteering their time to participate in a celebrity bagging function at KTA. $2,800 collected for United Way. Activities as such promote the image of the Fire Department. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. COMMITTEE REPORTS Budget & Finance (Bowles/Hart) Commissioner Hart reported that he has made contact with financial officers. Financial officers of Hokulia are estimating their contribution of $7 million from one project. Met with Bill Takaba regarding getting a handle on the forecasting. 11.5 percent of real property tax Î is wanted. Commissioner Maedo stated that HPC needed to join in with the HFC for the district lines. Letter hasnÓt been done to HPC. Commissioner Bowles sta Chief Correa will be resigning, they will have to focus on selecting a new Chief. Office Management and Staffing (Fergerstrom/Wallace) Commissioner Wallace discussed the fire chiefÓs evaluation and want to set a good pre comments on the proposed evaluation. Comments can be directed to Commissioners Wallace or Fergerstrom or Chief Oliveira. All are encouraged to study this proposal. Commissioner Kaoiwi commented that the chiefÓs evaluation should have a percentage indication not just a Ðyes/noÑ indicati 3 Rules and Policies (Kaoiwi) Commissioner Kaoiwi reported that there are no changes. Public Relations (Ward) Commissioner Ward reported that she is continuing to find morale go up and the firefighters have a positive outlook. thankful for choosing Darryl Oliveira as the Fire Chief. Chief the public and the personnel. There has been positive feedback regarding the bagging of groceries at KTA for the HUI promotion. Commissioner Kaoiwi stated that morale is high in Keaau station and the men agree that the right man was picked as the Fire Chief. Commissioner Brazier stated morale is island also. NEW BUSINESS None. MOTION TO MOVE TO EXECUTIVE SESSION Commissioner Hart moved to go into executive session to discuss the details to consider discipline and charges against employees of the HawaiÒi County Fire Department where consideration of matters affecting privacy will be involved and to consult with Corporation Counsel on questions and issues pertaining to the commissionÓs powers, duties, privileges, immunities, and liabilities, pursuant to HRS 92- 5(2) and HawaiÒi County Charter Section 13-20. This motion was seconded by Commissioner Kaoiwi and unanimously carried. Executive session commenced 10:39 am. ACTION ON EXECUTIVE SESSION MATTER None. PUBLIC STATEMENTS None. ANNOUNCEMENTS Commissioner Wallace stated that he went to California and met with the fire chief in San Francisco & San Rafael. He showed a display of photographs 4 The next meeting is to be held on Wednesday, September 11, 2002, at 10:00 a.m. at the Exhibition Room Î Kohala side of AliÓi Vet Clinic (next to Paniolo Room), Keauhou Shopping Center, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Set agenda for September 11, 2002. Chief Oliveira will have HFD presentation on 8-week leadership training. RECESS FOR DEMONSTRATION at 11:26 am. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 12:33 PM. SUBMITTED BY: __________________________ MARTHA A. RODILLAS Secretary FireCommission:Regular Session Minutes 8-14-02;8-28-02;LSAmr 5