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Home My WebLink About2003-06-10 Fire Commission Minutes HAWAII COUNTY FIRE COMMISSION REGULAR SESSION - MINUTES June 10, 2003 ÐOld Post OfficeÑ Room, Keauhou Shopping Center Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Commissioner Neil Brazier at 10:00 am. ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Neil Brazier Dale Fergerstrom Rudolph Hart Karen Maedo Laura Ward Terry Wallace ABSENT: Stephen Bowles - excused Natalie Flattes Louis Kaoiwi - excused A quorum was present. ALSO PRESENT: Lincoln Ashida Darryl Oliveira Martha Rodillas Laurie Kaneta Joe Whitney Karen Iwamoto STATEMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS None APPROVAL OF MEETING PROCEEDINGS Commissioner Wallace moved to accept the May 14, 2003, regular & executive session minutes. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Hart and unani APPROVAL OF WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS Commissioner Wallace moved to accept communication numbers 03-38 through 03-40. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Maedo and unanimously ca Corporation Counsel Ashida stated that Communication No. 03-40 has been marked ÐconfidentialÑ; however this can be addressed publicly if there are any questions regarding this matter. Commissioner Ward asked if a letter responding to Communication No. 03-39 has been sent out. Commissioner Brazier stated that a letter has been written, signed and will go out. CHIEFÓS REPORT Budget: The CountyÓs budget had its first reading on June 4 before the Council. Budget is ok as Ðstatus quoÑ. Supplemental items not approved at this time. Grants: Deputy Chief Wery attended a meeting with Civil Defense regarding sharing $2.2 million worth of funds with Police, and Civil Defense for HAZMAT, and search & rescue equipment. Looking at getting HAZMAT for West HawaiÒi, t utility vehicle and trailer. CIP: On May 28, 2003, Chief Oliveira, Deputy Chief Wery and Commissioner Ward met with Hualalai resort area representatives. They are supportive in considering alternative sites within the general vicinity. Continuous work is on-going with developers; receiving overwhelming support. Fire Administration Building and support facility still looking at possible sites. Hualalai and Kapiolani Street (next to HPD) are still being evaluated. The properties need to be identified as well as the design of the infrastructure. Only $2.5 million have been allotted for this project. Considering the size and square footage of the building, the cost may be approximately $6.5 million. The Kalaua Fire Station project proceeds. A meeting was held with Roger Rule and Dan Bolton. A topographical study of the site is being done. Estimated completion date is targeted for the summer 2004 Promotions & hiring: Medical screening being conducted for new recruits. A new written exam will be given in August along with a physical agility. Possible date of hire is targeted for Jan/March 2004. Operations division: Held mandatory officers meeting with goals to improve communications at the company level. Solicited feedback and input. Received positive response from officers. Will make this a routine meeting, as it is very 2 productive and efficient to discuss issues. On May 28, 2003, Chief Oliveira met with Representative Cindy Evans to discuss support for West HawaiÒi. HOVE lost a legislative bill for ambulance service. Oahu people are not aware of the distances and the geography of this island. Deputy Chief Wery met with the Mayor regarding th the 4 of July festivities. Issues to be aware of include illegal fireworks, parties and tents erected illegally. The goal is to make it as safe as poss Prevention bureau: On May 15 & 16, Chief Oliveira and prevention members met with building officials regarding code issues. Shared partnership with Department of Liquor to enforce codes. The HFD Prevention bureau does not hav powers. Concerned about exceeding of occupancy levels at nightclubs, etc. Working with Liquor Commission to enforce powers. Also working closely with the Building Division, Department of Public Works. Building better partnerships with co- departments/agencies. Submitted requests to Honolulu Fire Department to allow Big Island personnel to shadow Oahu personnel for training of site inspections. On May 29 & 30, a statewide quarterly meeting was held. Items discussed included partnering and sharing training resources, which is beneficial. A Training Committee will be coming up with a recommendation for the State Fire Counsel. Fire Auxiliary Services Division: Two new dispatchers have been hired and are rd progressing well. Looking at hiring a 3 dispatcher. New projects: A visit to Waimea middle school was held. Chief Oliveira encouraged all commissioners to visit the school. He discovered that the kids are focused and attentive. Use of new teaching techniques keeps the kids motivated. Kids support each other; kids work in teams and are encouraging. Chief Oliveira attended a graduation at Mrs. Terry WallaceÓs school. The ÐGPAÑ and academics of the kids are awesome. Presently HFD personnel is working with Alan Townsend regarding two teen Christian groups coming from the mainland with approximately 50 and 40 youth. These groups will be working with summer fun kids and ha day. This is an opportunity for the youth and positive public relations with the community. HFD Companies will be participating. Public Relations: Chief Oliveira requested that an award presentation be placed on the agenda for July recognizing Captain Darren Rosario by the HawaiÒi National Guard. On June 3, 2003, Chief Oliveira and Laurie Kaneta met with HawaiÒi Island United Way regarding the KTA grocery bagging fundraiser. EMS week fun run was held on June 1. Mahalo to Commissioner Rudy Hart for participating. $3,000 was collected and donated to Hi-Pal. American Cancer Society ÐMoonlight MadnessÑ to be held on June 21 in Kona and July 19 in Hilo. Laurie Kaneta is coordinating the Hilo event and Captain Sussman is coordinating the Kona event. Commissioner Fergerstrom asked about the legal authority to issue citations. Corporation Counsel Ashida stated that the authority is pegged to the statute. 3 Chief Oliveira stated that there is a County ordinance on crowding of events and he is pleased that the Liquor Commission is supportive. Chief Oliveira stated that he has been speaking with other districts around the country and they havenÓt been getting complaints. Their vehicles have full visibility, which include a large open door, which promotes awareness. Commissioner Hart stated that when the boxed modules were created, the problems started shortly thereafter. Chief Oliveira stated that the Liquor Commission wants to ban indoor pyrotechnics, which may have a substantial economic impact on the community. Hotels and ballrooms may be affected. If indoor pyrotechnics were allowed, there would have to be mandatory sprinklers, non-combustible decorations, etc. This would have to go thru a County ordinance. Commissioner Ward met with Cindy Evans, Wayne Ching, Willy Rice Nakahara on Firewise. The community is looking at what to do when the fire starts burning Î do they use a water hose, etc. Would like more guidan Chief Oliveira stated that he would like to partner with the community Firewise teams to promote fire awareness. There should be a partnership with the community regarding disasters. Community emergency response training with the American Red Cross is being worked on with Jane Testa of Research & Development. In the Waikoloa fire, homeowners were protecting their own homes due to lack of HFD personnel. Commissioner Ward stated that the people want to know what to do when itÓs burning. LaymanÓs language encouraged in giving instructions. Chief Oliveira met with Denise Latin, Statewide Firewise Coordinator. They would like to localize Firewise training. It is currently not done on a Ðlocal conceptÑ. Corporation Counsel Ashida advised that since the HFC agenda is light, he would suggest that the HFC complete the ÐSWOTÑ analysis for the HFD and submit it to Chief Oliveira today. This will assist Chief Oliveira in proceeding with his strategic plan for the HFD. UNFINISHED BUSINESS NONE COMMITTEE REPORTS Budget & Finance (Bowles/Hart) none 4 Office Management and Staffing (Fergerstrom/Wallace) none Rules and Policies (Kaoiwi/Flattes) none Public Relations (Ward) none NEW BUSINESS On July 19, 10:00 am, there will be a Volunteer ChiefÓs Association meeting at the HOVE station Î attendance encouraged. PUBLIC STATEMENTS None. ANNOUNCEMENTS The next meeting is to be held on Wednesday, July 9, 2003, at 10:00 a.m. at the Hilo Lagoon Centre, Liquor Control Conference Room. Set agenda for July 9, 2003 meeting: Recognition of Darren Rosa Meeting recessed for 10 minutes. At 10:50 am the meeting reconvened. Commissioners were given the opportunity to complete the ÐSWOTÑ analysis questionnaire that was distributed. Completion of the questions is based on the individuals perception of the Fire Department. These questionnaires were collected and given to Laurie Kaneta. This will be used as part of the ChiefÓ Corporation Counsel Ashida reminded the Commissioners that their input and comments could be based on perception based on interactions had ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 11:20 a.m. SUBMITTED BY: __________________________ MARTHA A. RODILLAS Secretary B&C:Fire Commission:Regular Session Minutes 6-10-03 LSA/mr 5