HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-05-09 Fire Commission Minutes
Harry KimDixie Kaetsu
MayorManaging Director
Barbara J. Kossow
Deputy Managing Director
HAWAII COUNTY FIRE COMMISSION
C/O 25 Aupuni Street #217, Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Phone: 961-8316; Fax: 933-1521
Email: Firecomm-agenda@co.hawaii.hi.us
REGULAR SESSION - MINUTES
May 9, 2007
Aupuni Center Conference Room
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Chair Brazier at 10:00 a.m.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Stephen Bowles
Neil Brazier, Chair
Karen Kudlo
Karen Maedo
Wil Okabe
Bill Rosehill
Excused:
JohnBertsch
James Browne
Henry Pomroy, Jr.
A quorum was present.
ALSO PRESENT:
Tom Brandt
Kaycie Carter
Laurie Kaneta
Glen Honda, Deputy Fire Chief
Noni Sanford
Ivan Torigoe, Deputy Corporation Counsel
Hawaii County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer
Commissioners:JohnBertsch,StephenBowles,NeilBrazier,JamesBrowne,
Karen Kudlo, Karen Maedo, Wil Okabe, Henry Pomroy, Jr., Bill Rosehill
(Open to the Public)
STATEMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS
None
(Executive Session)
STATEMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS
None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Okabe moved to accept the April 11, 2007, regular and executive
session minutes. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Maedo and
unanimously carried.
APPROVAL OF WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
None
CHIEFS REPORT PROVIDED BY DEPUTY CHIEF GLEN HONDA
Budget
FY 2007/08 Budget: Received the Mayors amended budget submittal that
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will be presented to the County Council. It includes $86,000 for the
replacement of beds, stoves, and refrigerators at the stations.
FY 2006/07 Budget: Recent newspaper articles were published regarding
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the high number of overtime hours. The overtime is due to personnel
shortage and training requirements. Its much easier for a firefighter to
obtain a high number of overtime hours because a single shift lasts
24-hours.
Alternative Funding and Grants
FEMAFY2005AssistancetoFireFightersGrant:(Plymo-Vent)Thefinal
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duct work was completed at Stations 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8. Awaiting electrical
installationandformaltrainingbeforesystemisoperational.Trainingtobe
scheduled in early June.
FEMA FY 2004 Assistance to Fire Fighters Grant: (Burn Trailer) Still
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awaitingapprovaloftheMemorandumOfUnderstanding(MOU)fromthe
State Department of Transportation to relocate trailer to former airport site.
FEMA FY 2006 Fire Prevention and Safety Grant: Submitted in January;
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awaiting approval of award.
FEMA FY 2007 Assistance to Fire Fighters Grant: Submitted grant
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application on May 3, 2007, for video teleconferencing system equipment.
Grant total request is for $327,600 to purchase VTS equipment for 15 of
the departments 20 fire stations (5 stations do not have basic technical
capability to accommodate VTS). If grant is awarded, the department will
proceed with training.
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Firemans Fund Heritage Grant: Firemans Fund Insurance Company
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awarded $12,500 to the Hawaii Fire Department. The event was held on
April 29, 2007, at 5:00 p.m., at the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel. The grant
money will be used for Instructor Training.
Capital Improvement Projects
Makalei Fire Station: Preliminary site plan was agreed upon. Consultant
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will conduct an environmental assessment and survey of the site.
Pahoa Fire Station: Construction phase continuing.
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Fire Administration & Support Facility: Continuing to negotiate fee
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proposal with consultant for the design process.
Central Fire Station: Received a response from the State Housing and
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Urban Development Agency. It was requested that an environmental
review be conducted on the parcel.
Central Fire Station Retrofit Project: Department of Public Works is
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revising the sub-contractor list.
Captain Cook: No new developments.
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Paauilo Volunteer Station: No new developments.
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Promotions and Hiring
Active recruits include:
Open-Competitive Recruitment
Firefighter Recruit Candidates: Candidates are presently undergoing
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medical screening. The 36 Fire Fighter Recruit Class will begin on
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July 16, 2007. Targeting December 2007/January 2008 for the 37 Fire
Fighter Recruit Class.
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36 Firefighter Recruit Family Orientation: Scheduled for June 15, 2007,
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at 5:30 p.m., at Aupuni Center Conference Room. Commissioners are
welcome to attend.
Internal Recruitment
Battalion Chiefs Assessment Center: In the process of computing the
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scores of the five candidates for the EMS and FASO positions. The event
took place on May 2, 2007. Commissioner Rosehill participated and was
asked to comment on his experience.
According to Commissioner Rosehill, a candidate was asked a two-part
question. He noticed that the candidate became so involved in answering
the first part of the question; he forgot to answer the second part. He
askedwhetherthatwouldbeheldagainstthecandidate.
DeputyChiefHondarepliedthatitispossibleforanapplicanttorequest
that a question be reread by a panel member, and it is the responsibility of
thecandidatetoanswerthequestioncompletely.
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Chair Brazier questioned the process of the assessment center.
Deputy Chief Honda answered that the Battalion Chiefs Assessment
Center involved identifying a qualified candidate for an administrative
level. The process included a written exam, a verbal interview, and an
impromptu 30 minute presentation. Also, an overall evaluation on their
conduct and appearance is considered.
Battalion Chiefs (Emergency Operations and Special Operations):
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Internal recruitment for both positions opened on May 3, 2007. Closing
date is May 16, 2007.
Support Services Division
Fire Auxiliary Services
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Fire Communication Center: Began implementation of the
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Wireless 911 in late April the FCCC (with varying degrees of
accuracy) is able to determine the location and number of 911 cell
phone calls.
Maintenance Shop
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New Apparatus: New Engine 6 HFD 500 arrived. The factory
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representative is in the process of training the personnel.
EMS Bureau: Developing a price term agreement for EMS Supplies.
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SubmittedittheCountysPurchasingDivisiononApril13,2007.
Training Bureau
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Operations Section
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34 Firefighter Recruit Class: Graduation Ceremony is slated for
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Saturday, May 12, 2007, at 5:00p.m., at Nani Mau Gardens. The
graduates will return to class on May 14 and 15 and begin 24 hour duty
on May 16.
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35 Firefighter Recruit Class: Currently in driver training. Will begin
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EMT training on June 12, 2007. The recruits have been busy
volunteering their time and assistance to activities such as the Merrie
MonarchParadeandtheOfficeProfessionalsDayLuncheon.They
will also provide lifeguard services at Waiakea High Schools
GraduationNightPartytobeheldattheHiloYachtClub.
Other:ContinuingtheimplementationandmonitoringoftheDriver
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Audit and PUC Programs.
Volunteer Section
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East Hawaii: Trained 10 companies; 52 personnel. The training
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includedWetDrills,HoseEvolutions,andCommunications.
West Hawaii: Trained nine companies, 70 personnel. The training
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included Wet Drills (including multi-company), Hose Testing, Vehicle
Maintenance and Communications.
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Report provided by Volunteer Fire Chief Tom Brandt:
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Volunteer Doug Keown established the Hawaii Volunteer Fire
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Chiefs Associations website (HVFCA.net).
Volunteer Fire Chiefs meeting: Held on April 21, 2007, in Pahala.
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Photo I.D.s are being currently being distributed.
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Fire Essentials will begin in July 2007.
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Other Support Division Activities
Continue to work with FEMA for reimbursement of Oct. 15, 2005,
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earthquake costs.
Selected Macro Engineering to be the consultant for the new radio
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system. Negotiations will be handled with the Department of Data
Systems. The Radio group met with Mayor Kim to discuss long-range
development on this project.
Continuing to work with the Department of Public Works, Pacific Wireless
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Inc., and the Office of the Corporation Counsel on the Kapoho Radio
Towers transfer to Puna Geothermal. Funds were approved by the
County Council in March. The equipments bid specifications were
submitted to the Purchasing Division on April 13, 2007.
Distributed Firefighter I and II video training resources to all stations and
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Volunteer Captains.
Bid specifications for 2007 Highways Safety Grant Award (portable
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generators, remote lighting, and highway safety signs) were completed
and submitted to Purchasing Division.
New Projects/Business
Explorer Program: Firefighters Stacy Domingo, Justin Neeson, Tracy
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Brennan, and Kimo Wilson are working to activate the program. Pilot
program is scheduled to begin in Hilo on June 23, 2007.
Employee/Public Relations
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5 Annual Employees and Awards Dinner: The event was rescheduled
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and confirmed for Friday, August 17, 2007, at the Hilo Meishoin.
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EMS Week: 7 Annual EMS Week 5K Run/Walk/Keiki Run to be held on
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Sunday, May 27, 2007, at Liliuokalani Gardens.
Commissioner Bowles questioned the status ofthe Honokaa Fire Station.
Deputy Chief Honda replied thatalthough there has not been any new update on
the land purchase, Mayor Kim raised the priority of the station to number oneon
the Fire Departments Capital Improvements Projects list.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
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COMMITTEE REPORTS
Budget & Finance (Kudlo) No report.
Office Management and Staffing (Bertsch) No report
Rules and Policies (Rosehill) No report.
Public Relations (Pomroy) No report
Training and Education (Maedo) No report
NEW BUSINESS
Burn Trailer Demonstration (Following the meeting) (See attachment A)
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PUBLIC STATEMENTS
None
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The next meeting is to be held on Wednesday, June 13, 2007, at
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10:00 a.m., in the Liquor Control Conference Room, Kona Center Building,
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.
Set agenda for June 13, 2007, meeting
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Burn Trailer Demonstration to be held at the Schultz Siding, located on
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Lanikaula Street, off Railroad Avenue.
Meeting was adjourned at 10:35 a.m.
SUBMITTED BY:
__________________________
KAYCIE A. I. CARTER
Secretary
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