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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-04-14 Fire Commission Minutes William P. Kenoi Stephen Bowles Mayor Chairman Kaloa Robinson Vice-Chairman HAWAI‘I COUNTY FIRE COMMISSION C/O 25 Aupuni Street #2602, Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720 Phone: 961-8317 ; Fax: 933-1521 Email: Firecomm-agenda@co.hawaii.hi.us REGULAR SESSION -MINUTES April 14, 2010 Puna Conference Room Hawai'i County Building CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chair Bowles at 10:00 a.m. Recess by Chair Bowles at 10:01 a.m. Reconvene by Chair Bowles at 10:10 a.m. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Stephen Bowles, Chair Louis Kaoiwi Kaloa Robinson, Vice-Chair Bill Rosehill Scott Stabo A quorum was present. ALSO PRESENT: Kaycie Carter Laurie Kaneta Darryl Oliveira, Fire Chief Noni Sanford Glen Honda, Deputy Chief William V. Brilhante Jr., Deputy Corporation Counsel Stacie Waltjen, Secretary to the Fire Commission Tom Brandt From the Training Bureau, the instructors were: Captain Chad Toyomura Captain Joseph Farias FEO Monn-el Kim FRS Greg Cameron Hawai‘i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer Commissioners: Stephen Bowles, Louis Kaoiwi Kaloa Robinson, Bill Rosehill, Scott Stabo STATEMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS None APPROVAL OF MINUTES It was moved by Commissioner Robinson that the minutes of the March 10, 2010 regular and executive session be approved. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Stabo and unanimously carried. CHIEF’S REPORT Introductions: Captain Chad Toyomura, promoted April 1, 2010 to training officer. Has nearly 10 years in our department. th Introduction of 39Fire Fighter Recruit class. FIRST NAME LAST NAME Gary K. Ahu Jr. William K. Bloss Michael P. Brown Ryan M. Bump Adam D. Busek Robin Gleason Jonathan E.H. Hara Blair J. Howard Jay K.K. Kahee Caleb K. Laa Justin B. Lee Matt D. Loper Jordan D. Maeda Dominic C. Marzi Gavin W. Pamarang Justin J. Santiago Calvin N.K. Soo Sean I. Tamura Budget : FY 2010/11 Budget: Presented our budget to County Council on Monday, March 29, 2010. Chief thanked to Commissioner Robinson for his testimony on behalf of the Fire Commission. Chief also extended thanks to Commissioner Robinson, 2 Commissioner Kaoiwi and Chair Bowles for being present during their budget presentation and showing support of the Commission for their proposed and submitted budget. As a recap of some stats, the overall budget amount compared to last year because of implementation of some cuts in their current fiscal year, we only have an increase of .001 % of their total budget over last year’s budget. As far as expenses, down .03% compared to same time last year. It’s a credit to the employees for helping to keep costs down. At last commission meeting, Chair Bowles requested a briefing on non-program budgets issues impacting the department –specifically the Capital improvement projects. Chief spoke to Finance director and department to get an accurate statement, the CIP budget is separate from Fire’s program budget. Presently what projects has been appropriated and allotted are continuing to move as scheduled and planned for. There is no change in plans for the CIP projects, overall in the county and specifically for this department. Also, the monies acquired through bond floats and are ear-marked for the CIP will not be used to cover operational costs for the County. Alternative Funding and Grants : FEMA FY 2009 Assistance to Fire Fighters Grant: (254 turn out coats and 251 pants): On April 1, 2010, received e-mail from FEMA that our 2009 assistance to firefighters act grant application was favorably reviewed by panel; request for response to further questions submitted on April 7, 2010. FY 2009 Assistance to Fire Fighters Fire Station Construction (Makalei): Continuing to work with Consultant and Public Works on Federal EA reporting requirements. FY 2010 CDBG –Tanker/Tender –Pahala Fire Station: On April 6, 2010, attended public meeting on recommendation for CDBG funding for $250,000 to be included in County’s 2010 Action Plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Favorably considered. 2010 DOT Highway Safety Grant Program: FEO Neil Yoshioka working on proposal to apply for possible training on auto education.Auto industry has made significant changes in design…seeing more hybrid vehicles, alternative energy vehicles, and also with the construction of the vehicles the use of exotic metals. Some of the typical extraction tools that they use are not capable of cutting some of the carbon steel components. Deadline for submittal is May 5, 2010. Capital Improvement Projects : Makalei Fire Station:Still on the Federal EA requirements. Public Works is optimistic that we can go out on bid this summer. Pahoa Fire Station: still ongoing. Close out items. 3 Administration & Support Facility:working with design consultant on alternative facilities for radio system. No construction monies for that so no huge push to hurry and finish. Researching every alternative possible so that they can be good neighbors in the community but still meet their operational needs. Central Fire Station:Not heard back where the bill gone before the house and senate is at. That is to allow the Hawai‘i Public Housing Authority ability to transfer the property to the County. Kawailani Fire Station:Waiting on apublic meeting with County council members ofthat district to meet with community to talk about their views of having afire station in their backyard. Land is County owned. Volunteer Garages:Volunteer officers meeting this past meeting that Public Works is working on two projects. They have committed a draft person and staff to get the plans and permits done. Just a matter of evaluating the two sites and addressing the requirements. Paauilo Volunteer Garage: Just received a call from the Catholic Church in Paauilo. Went out for a community meeting with the church, there was a mixed sentiment allowing them to build a garage for volunteers on church property. Not opposing anything that will divide the community. They made a decision to revisit the fire station. Looking forward to another meeting with the church and seeing what might be available. Promotions and Hiring: Open-Competitive Recruitment th FF Recruit: 39Class hired on March 16 with 18 recruits. 1 recruit will be leaving shortly due to military duties. Internal Recruitments: Fire Captain (Emergency Operations & Training Bureau): Promotions effective April 1, 2010. Fire Equipment Operator: Assessment Center held on March 29 & 30, 2010. Targeted promotion date is May 1, 2010. Fire Rescue Specialist (temporary). Incumbent on restricted-duty assignment. Extension of temporary position pending incumbent’s medical status. Chief stated they have completed their proposed EMS career ladder package. They have completed the consultation process with the union and Human Resources. There is a supplemental agreement drafted and beginning next 4 th week on March 20, they will be conducting open forum meetings with the membership to review the proposed EMS career ladder. It does not require membership ratification. Between the union and administration and through the supplemental agreement, they can just agree to implement the career ladder. The four principles of this program are: to provide the appropriate rank structure that allows for upward mobility within the EMS career, to provide a fair compensation package, will provide mechanisms to increase and promote recruitments into the MICT positions or EMS career and lastly to provide retention. To retain the seasoned, committed veterans members of the EMS program in that career path. Rescue: Have 2 Heavy Rescue heavy rescues were acquired last year. This allows rescue companies to respond with their full arsenal of equipment. Also provides them with operational mobile command center out in the field. It’s a step in the direction that they want to go. Ocean Safety: We are continuing to move forward to provide water safety officer coverage down at Punaluu. We have 1 WSO II Kevin Ohara that have expressed an interest in moving to that location. Support Services Division EMS Bureau: rd MICT students (5) participated in the 93CST exercise on March 10, 2010. Their role was providing assistance in the Medical Branch (triage) of the operation section. Captains Lance Uchida & Garret Komatsu began their orientation of the EMS Bureau of our department. Training Bureau: th The 39FF recruit class began on March 16, 2010. There are 18 recruits in this class. We are using some adjunct instructors to deliver the FF curriculum along with the HFD peer fitness team to do the physical training. 5 Volunteer Section Report by Chief Tom Brandt. Chief Brandt thanked Commissioner Stabo for coming to their meeting on Saturday.It was a productive meeting. Now that the end is in sight, people are getting reinvigorated to put more time required to get this done. They are currently on schedule to complete by the end of this year. With that comes the introduction of more “hands on”training program. One of the things that came up was the volunteer recruitment that they have been pushing for. They came up with a plan. Noni Sanford has volunteered to represent them at EMS week May 30, 2010. Chief Oliveira offered them some space in their tent at EMS week. They are hoping to generate some interest. Fire prevention week coming up. They will make extra effort to have volunteers present. Regarding capital improvements, trusses were being sent on Sunday for the Fern Acres (5 Delta).The next meeting will be August 21, 2010 at 7 Bravo in Kona. Chief added that they did receive confirmation of an award from the Rural Fire Fighters Assistance Program. It’s an application that was submitted to the National Park. Fifteen thousand six hundred dollars ($15,600.00)will be coming to the Department from the National Park Service. Chief thanked Fire Management officer Joe Molhoek from Volcano National Park as one of their mutual aid providers. Not only does he come out and assist with operations,but with particular grant applications, he helps with processing the application and walking it through the process for the Department. Chief stated they are currently working on their next application. They are aggressively seeking out whatever sources of monies that they can find. Chief also thanked Commissioner Stabo as well as other commissioners that have come in the past…whenever commissioners come to the volunteer officers meetings, it shows the importance and support of the volunteer program. Chief stated they talked about the tsunami incident. They worked on a draft policy that was ran by the volunteers at the last meeting and everybody supported it. The policy was, once they go into a tsunami warning,what would be the responsibilities and actions of the volunteers. They are putting it into a formal policy so that they can help their families prepare for what could happen in the event we do activate them during a tsunami warning. 6 New Projects/Business : Replacement Chopper 1 update. Delivery date of helicopter is the third week in May. Hoping to have pictures of the helicopter by the next meeting. Bowles requested follow-up on problem with brush truck at Waipio Valley during tsunami. Chief spoke to the officer that was on that day. He confirmed that they did go out that day, had no problems with vehicles. They elected to use the brush truck instead of the utility vehicle because the brush truck has a mobile radio versus the utility vehicle that has a portable radio. He wanted to make sure he had good communication. No problems or issues with accessing the valley. Employee/Public Relations EMS Week: Sunday, May 30, Liliuokalani Gardens. Theme is:“Anytime, Anywhere, We’ll Be There”. Commissioners are welcome to be there. Chair Bowles handed out anarticle from the Kaua‘i newspaper. Chair Bowles spoke to Chief Westerman from Kaua‘i regarding aninitiative from the council of Mayor’s re-raising the question of whether or not the Chief should be appointed by the Fire Commission. Chair Bowles met with the Chief briefly but could not meet with any commissioner. Chair Bowles indicated to Chief Westerman that if our commission could be of assistance in the way of providing background of our experiences in hiring and retaining a Fire Chief, that we would be pleased to send a letter. Deputy Corporation Counsel Brilhante explained the Fire Commission is created under the county charter and in order to change the requirements or the jurisdiction of the Fire Commission regarding the powers and duties, there must an amendment ratified by the majority of the public requesting the change. Deputy Corporation Counsel Brilhante stated that there was some discussion in the charter commission review committee, which is a requirement that every ten years each county establish a charter commission review committee which will then go and see if there should be any appropriate changes to their county charter that may be open to discussion and public input.Apparently, that’s the process that is going on now. During the charter commission review meeting, there has been discussion regarding changing the powers of the Fire Commission as to whether or not they have the authority to appoint the fire chief or it should be the Mayor. There may be a proposed revision to the Kaua‘i charter which would then may or may not decrease the powers of the commission. Commissioner Robinson stated that basically what we are doing is preparing in the event that the Kaua‘i Fire Commission request that a letter be sent. 7 Motion: Commissioner Kaiowi moved that Chair Bowles and the Vice Chair and whoever else has information pertaining to this letter be drafted up. Check with Corporation Counsel to make sure everything is done the proper way just in case they ask us to submit the letter to them for informational purpose. To make them aware what has transpired when we first started our commission long time ago. Commissioner Stabo seconded the motion. All members voted aye, motion carried. NEW BUSINESS Waikii Volunteer Fire truck insurance:Deputy Corporation Counsel Brilhante contacted Steve Grasso. The primary issue that arose was the request by Waikii to have some type of insurance provided for the vehicle. Sent Steve Grasso a draft memorandum in agreement addressing their concerns. This issue was addressed in dealing with the Kohala Ranch ranch truck. According to Steve Grasso, he has forwarded that document to their attorneys and they are currently reviewing. Workmen compensation for volunteer fire fighters: There is aspecific provision under Hawai‘i Revised Statutes § 386-181 that specifically identifies volunteer firefighters as a person who may qualify for workers compensation if they are injured during the course of the scope of their duties. Itisnot a blanket qualification or benefit. If a determination is made that the volunteer firefighter was injured during the course and scope of their duties,they may qualify for workers compensation benefits. It’s on a case by case basis. Death benefits: Ifthe volunteer firefighter does meet the criteria for workers compensation, there is a provision in the Hawai‘i Revised Statutes where death benefits maybe paid on case by casebasis. It’s a calculation depending on the annual income of the volunteer firefighter’s primary job. UNFINISHED BUSINESS NONE COMMITTEE REPORTS Budget & Finance: Commissioner Kaiowi stated that he thought the Chief gave an outstanding report to the County Council for the budget for the Hawai‘i Fire Department. Commissioner Kaiowi stated he thought they understood what the salary and wage was as to the whole picture. Commission Robinson stated when he gave his testimony it mirrored the highlights from the Chief’s budget. He was very comfortable with it. 8 ANNOUNCEMENTS The next meeting is to be held on Wednesday, May 12, 2010, at 10:00 a.m., in the Aupuni Center Conference Room, Aupuni Center, 101 Pauahi Street, Hilo, Hawai‘i. Set agenda for May 12, 2010. 1) Review of EMS career ladder 2) Discussion of Radio System towers ADJOURNMENT Meeting was adjourned at 11:45 a.m. SUBMITTED BY: __________________________ STACIE T. WALTJEN Secretary 9