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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-04-09 Fire Commission Minutes HAWAII COUNTY FIRE COMMISSION REGULAR SESSION - MINUTES April 9, 2003 Liquor Control Conference Room Hilo Lagoon Centre 101 Aupuni Street Hilo, HI CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Commissioner Neil Brazier at 10:05 am. ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Stephen Bowles Neil Brazier Dale Fergerstrom Natalie Flattes Rudolph Hart Louis Kaoiwi Karen Maedo Laura Ward Terry Wallace Lincoln Ashida, Corporation Counsel Darryl Oliveira, Fire Chief Desmond Wery, Deputy Fire Chief Laurie Kaneta Joe Whitney Martha Rodillas Members & Trainers of Recruit Class A quorum was present. STATEMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS None. APPROVAL OF MEETING PROCEEDINGS Commissioner Maedo moved to accept the March 12, 2003, regular & executive session minutes. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Kaoiwi and unanimously carried. APPROVAL OF WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS Commissioner Kaoiwi moved to accept communication numbers 03-13 through 03-29. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Hart and unanimously car CHIEFÓS REPORT Chief Oliveira introduced the newest recruit class to the Fire Department. Captain Curtis Matsui and Captain Glenn Honda are training this recruit class. Members of the recruit class are: Donald Alfiche, Peter Andrade, Gavin DeMello, Bruce Ferreira, Tad Fujii, Vern Hara, Chad Hundley, Michael Lam, Stephen Macedo, Jordan Makaimoku, Eldon Masaoka, Garrett Nishihara, Maikai Piianaia, Keoni Reich, Michael Sohirakoff and David Soo. These recruits have been selected from a list of 815 applicants. The recruits were congratulated by all Commissioners and were wished well on their future with the Fire Department. Budget: had meeting with the Finance Committee meeting. Meeting went well and the Committee appeared supportive. The outcome depends on the revenue that the County has. Grants: Hilo Shippers Warf Program Î HFD did not receive the grant. Still exploring other grants. Looking at a $400,000 grant with 30% matching funds from the County. Deputy Chief Wery is working with Civil Defense to establish a HAZMAT for West Hawai`i which will include a vehicle. Supporting urban search and rescue program for the County. CIP: working with the developer on the Kalaua Station. The architect is working on the final plans. HFD is continuously working with HPD on additional funds for sub- stations. HFD is working with DPW to identify cost needs and proposed plans for an administration building. $2.5 million has been approved for a 15,000 s.f. complex. $2.5 million will not meet the construction needs. Promotions & hiring: Using NFPA 2001 Î nationally recognized standard for new recruit class. The physical fitness portion has been added to the program. In July the recruits will start the EMT class. On April 14, the interviews for the fire radio dispatchers will start. The candidates will be from the list for HPD. Waiting to hear from the Department of Civil Service on the internal recruitment and selection process and procedures tailored for the Fire Department. Each department is responsible for filling their vacancies. Encountering a few obs consistent specified recruitment period of time. 2 Operations division: Met with Standardization Committee on Monday regarding the breathing apparatus that are not meeting OSHA requirements. There were four vendors that displayed and allowed us to use their products and submit an evaluation on the products. Cost will be about $215,000 to do an upgrade. The ODP grant (alternative funding) will be used for this. Working on improving response and rescue in Fern Forest Area Î CaptainÓs Trail (where was injured). Prevention bureau: working on the renewal of Mr. KiharaÓs contract. Only one training per semester is allowed for the newly hired inspectors. The inspectors are learning as quickly as they can. A partnership has been established with Honolulu Fire Department to have the Big Island inspector shadow their inspectors on Oahu. Training division: received a new apparatus for HOVE. Will be scheduling a training, including volunteers. There may be permanent funding for dedicated personnel for HOVE - July, 2003. Volunteer division: this past Saturday there was a volunteer fire chiefÓs meeting. Will schedule the meetings after the HFC meetings to remind everyone of the upcoming meeting. July 12 is the next volunteer fire chiefÓs meeting at the Four Season Resort at 10:00 am. New projects: Deputy Chief Wery has been attending ÐProject KumiaiÑ meetings. Others involved are Jane Testa, Director of Research & Development and representatives of the Prosecuting AttorneyÓs office. This project is to promote community relationships, prepare for disasters, establish identification of contact personnel and to be better prepared for disasters. The volunteer program is an excellent start. $33,000 has been committed for the RMS (Records Management System) for the Fire Department. Will be purchasing new computers for all stations. Data Systems will be assisting as well as the Honolulu Fire Department. The friendly and hopefully up and running by August, 2003. SARS Î working with Fire Rescue personnel on policies and procedures. st Thank you to everyone who attended the 1 annual awards dinner. There was a lot of positive feedback from personnel. Thank you to Laurie Kaneta, Judy Kaeo, Rachel Ancheta, Gail Nakamura Vivian Akine for putting this event together. EMS Division: adoption and mandatory compliance of portability and privacy act. Any and all reports will not be shared with anyone else other than the care providers. Working with the State on sharing information with the police, lifeguards, etc. This is a federal law requirement, which goes into effect on April 14, 2 3 Public Relations: MotherÓs Day project has started. It will feature the delivery of roses by a firefighter with a portion of the sale going to the American Cancer Society. Areas of delivery include the Keaau to the Pepeekeo districts. EMS week starts on June 1. This will feature a 5K run from Coconut Island. A challenge has been issued to HPD for a dunking booth competition. SAYRE foundation dinner is this Saturday. Attendance by all is encouraged. Laurie distributed updated phone roster information. SWOT analysis forms will be collected from Commissioners - if completed. Commissioner Brazier commented about installing a small camera in the emergency units where there may be an unfortunate situation occurring (i.e. suspected abuse). Chief Oliveira stated that there are issues of confidentiality or a feeling that Ðbig brotherÑ is watching over the personnel. Commissioner Kaoiwi commented that he feels sorry for the personnel who has to respond to an emergency and run into a problem like that. After a while, the EMTÓs and MICTÓs will not want to touch anybody because of possible liability. The HFD has signed up for ÐNeighborhoods in ActionÑ and will be program. Chief Oliveira thanked the HFC for their support with the Salary CommissionÓs approval of the pay increases. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Salary Commission Presentation: Commissioners Ward and Fergerstrom were thanked for their presentations to the Salary Commission. It was learned by Commissioner Ward that it is important for commissionÓs to have 100% participation at their meetings. She is very thankful for the Fire Commission and itÓs members giving their attention for a worthy cause. Inconsistencies in attendance can result in the delay of or unfavorable decisions. At the last Salary Commission meeting, there were lots of people present in support of the ChiefÓs raise. Th will continue to work on a tiered system. The next person in li Assistant Corporation Counsel. The Salary Commission wants to investigate and create a way to work on the next batch of raises. This is a goal and an incentive to move up the ladder. COMMITTEE REPORTS Budget & Finance (Bowles/Hart) none 4 Office Management and Staffing (Fergerstrom/Wallace) none Rules and Policies (Kaoiwi/Flattes) none Public Relations (Ward) Commissioner Ward reported that the SAYRE foundation dinner is Saturday night and RSVPÓs are due. There will be a SAYRE golf tournament on September 29, 2003 - more details will be given later. HFD did an aid station at the Lava Man Tournament. Commissioner Maedo noted that she and Commissioner Flattes are not assigned to any specific committee, however, they are available and willing to help out. NEW BUSINESS The meeting date scheduled for June is a holiday. Corporation Counsel Ashida advised that an option may be not to have a meeting in June. The rules are ambiguous. It would not be a violation of the rules to cancel the meeting in June. Commissioner Maedo suggested to wait till May to decide on whether or not to meet in June. This item will be deferred to next monthÓs agenda. Corporation Counsel Ashida stated that the HFC is not obliged to hear any witness today for the complaint filed. This matter may be continued to another date. The HFC has the option of summoning the accused before speaking with him. Corporation Counsel Ashida advised that if the HFC has specific questions about the rights and liabilities it should be done in executive session. MOTION TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION It was moved by Commissioner Kaoiwi that the Fire Commission go session pursuant to Section 92-5(2), HawaiÒi Revised Statutes and Section 13-20(b), HawaiÒi County Charter. The motion was seconded by Commissioner and unanimously carried. The regular session ended at 11:00 am and went into executive session. ACTION ON EXECUTIVE SESSION MATTER It was decided that Complaint HFC 03-02 will be continued to the May 14, 2003, meeting and a notification letter will be sent to the complainant and the firefighter. 5 PUBLIC STATEMENTS None. ANNOUNCEMENTS The next meeting is to be held on Wednesday, May 14, 2003, at 10:00 a.m. at the Liquor Control Conference Room, Hilo Lagoon Centre, 101 Aupuni Street, Hilo, Hawaii. Set agenda for May 14, 2003 meeting - no new items. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Bowles reported that there is a report coming out from West HawaiÒi regarding revenue. He will share this with the HFC when it becomes public. Meeting adjourned at 11:29 a.m. SUBMITTED BY: __________________________ MARTHA A. RODILLAS Secretary B&C:Fire Commission:Regular Session Minutes 4-9-03, 2003 LSA/mr 6