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Home My WebLink About2002-07-10 Fire Commission Minutes HAWAII COUNTY FIRE COMMISSION REGULAR SESSION - MINUTES July 10, 2002 Liquor Control Conference Room Hilo Lagoon Centre AMENDED CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Commissioner Karen Maedo @ 10 ROLL CALL: PRESENT:ALSO PRESENT: Stephen Bowles Neil BrazierLincoln S.T. Ashida, Corporation Counsel Dale FergerstromLaurie Kaneta, Private Secretary Rudolph HartDarryl J. Oliveira, Fire Chief Louis KaoiwiMartha A. Rodillas, Secretary Karen MaedoSteven Lim, Esq. Laura Ward A quorum was present. ABSENT: Terry Wallace (excused) Natalie Flattes (unexcused) PRESENTATION Steven Lim of theState Environmental Council made a Presentation for Outstanding Environmental Agency for FY 2001 to Fire Chief Darryl Oliveira for the Hawaii County Fire Department. STATEMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS None. APPROVAL OF MEETING PROCEEDINGS Commissioner Kaoiwi moved to accept the June 12, 2002, regular and executive session minutes. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Hart a carried. APPROVAL OF WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS Commissioner Kaoiwi moved to accept written communications numbers 02-76 through 02-82. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Bowles and unanimously carried. CHIEFÓS REPORT Chief Darryl Oliveira reported: Budget: For FY 2001 & 2002 not finalized yet; still in the proc expenses; by the next meeting exact figures should be made available. Grants: Waiting to hear from USDA; possibly by August/September. HFD purchased three seats for a grant writing workshop to be held from July 22 - 26, 2002. This is a worthwhile expense. Promotions & hiring: Experiencing glitches for inspector interview process. Position descriptions have not been updated since 1979. Interviews are being postponed pending position descriptions are current. Three candidates declined the interview; leaving four candidates. Additional names are being requested. August 16 is the anticipated target date. Every position within the department has a different position description. Operations division: In June, large cash donations were received from Bureau Environmental that will enhance current capabilities. EMS division: MICT class is continuing; presently in clinical phase. Candidates doing well; target date of completion is January. Prevention bureau: Would like to expedite promotions for resources. Training division: National Fire Academy Training class Î certification as a safety officer going on today. There has been good participation. Lea training program with County of HawaiÒi Personnel Specialist Jane Larkin is targeted to get officers trained re leadership and management, concepts, philosophies. Mission and vision statements have been identified. HFD is one organization sharing the same mission and vision. Volunteer division: Working on re-establishing the Fern Forest Volunteer Association. There were some problems with two distinct groups of people. The State has identified one group. There was some turmoil prior to this and some people have given up. Doing active recruitment to re-establish this group. Reminder Î Volunteer Firefighters Assoc. meeting coming up in HOVE. 2 New business: Submitted proposed updated Memorandum of Agreement and drug policy to Civil Service & Corp Counsel for review. Corporation Counsel Ashida stated that the Chief wishes to discuss this MOA and drug policy with the commissioners. It is a sensitive issue and under HRS 92-5(a)(6), considering sensitive matters to public safety it was recommended that this be discussed in executive session. The Chief can then complete his Established communication with DHHL on 2 proposed sites for futu for training and fire stations and working out finer details, resources, etc. West Hawaii site is by the cemetery off of the Queen K. highway. The location will serve the interests of the community. There is high growth in North Kona and development in the Kaupulehu area. There is a major intersection that is being built and will create activity. Long range plans include bringing wat developments in the area. Commissioner Ward stated that Tiffany Edwards of the West HawaiÒi Today contacted HFD and no one was able to give her information regarding the incident involving the death of the two children. Chief Oliveira stated that they should make the request to the on duty chief. Helicopter service will respond to any significant life threatening criteria or a trauma situation. This incident occurred in Kainaliu; and there was a delayed response by ground ambulance. Aircraft is not used to transport deceased victims. Commissioner Fergerstrom stated that the decision is made if the helicopter is needed or not when the helicopter is in the air. Coordinated efforts need to be made with the police department; complicated situations may arise if HPD says says something else. Chief stated that they would partner their experience to help HFD develop a relationship. Stated that the editor of WHT didnÓt want to publish articles educating the public. Commissioner Bowles stated that we need to increase helicopter u educational process to the public. Chief Oliveira stated that aircraft is limited to response considering weather and visibility. Commissioner Fergerstrom stated that there would be problems each time the helicopter lands on someoneÓs property. Education is important to the public. The more it flies, the more questions you will have. Outdated position descriptions will cause problems to sneak up. Expressed to Chief Oliveira that he will not be able to fix everything right away and asked the Chief not to get burned out; also itÓll take time and years to bring the HFD to where it needs to be. 3 Chief Oliveira stated that the interview and promotion process is frustrating. As problems are encountered, it is brought to their attention. Everything needs to be done legally and ethically correct with everyone. Commissioner Ward stated that the HFD employees are bringing up the problems as though Ðsomeone will listen to us nowÑ. There will be problems; employees are excited about things happening. Morale has completely changed; itÓs a g MOTION TO MOVE TO EXECUTIVE SESSION Commissioner Bowles moved to go into executive session to discus regarding the drug policy. This motion was seconded by Commissioner Hart and unanimously carried. Executive session commenced 11:13 am. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. COMMITTEE REPORTS Budget & Finance (Bowles/Hart) Commissioner Bowles reported that no additional work has been done. Still contemplating the Public Safety district concept. Getting research done on legislative side. Dale will contact the Mayor to have discussion with the Council chair. Commissioner Fergerstrom stated that it does involve contact with the Council and they do not want it to conflict with the Mayor. Commissioner Bowles stated that the HFC needs to establish a formal connection with the Police Commission. Corporation Counsel Ashida advised to be careful with meetings w sunshine law meetings. Please let Corporation Counsel Ashida know of the meetings. Majority of the time, HPC deliberates over complaints dealing with police officers. Commissioner Fergerstrom asked if they could approach the HPC to have them designate one person to work with the HFC. Corporation Counsel Ashida stated that the HFC needs to send a request in writing to the HPC so that they can agendize it and you can appear at their meeting to discuss the matter. 4 Chief Oliveira stated that he met with the Legislative Auditor regarding the concerns. Public Safety Districts may create political rifts within the districts. Meetings to be held with Aaron Chung to get feedback and ideas. Office Management and Staffing (Fergerstrom/Wallace) None. Rules and Policies (Kaoiwi) None. Public Relations (Ward) Commissioner Ward reported that Nancy Pissichio brought up the issue if an individual or corporation can donate equipment and/or money through the Sayre Foundation to a specific individual or district. With respect to the thank you letters that Chief Oliveira sends Commissioner Ward asked if it would it be wrong to include in the letter that the Sayre Foundation is seeking donations. Corporation Counsel Ashida stated that there needs to be another avenue to seek donations and not hold it over their head that there is a source to donate money. This would be unethical. The code of ethics needs to be followed. If it is directed to the public at large, itÓs ok; however, individuals should not be targeted. County government is not in the business of fundraising. If the government gets too close to activities that involve fundraising, it should not be done. Government depends on taxes and grants, not donations. NEW BUSINESS None. ACTION ON EXECUTIVE SESSION MATTER None. PUBLIC STATEMENTS None. ANNOUNCEMENTS The next meeting is to be held on Wednesday, August 14, 2002, at 10:00 a.m. at the Liquor Control Conference Room, Hilo Lagoon Centre, Hilo, Hawaii. 5 Set agenda for August 14, 2002, meeting Î presentation on air medical helicopter. RECESS Corporation Counsel Ashida suggested to recess the meeting so that everyone could attend the demonstration being held in the vacant lot between Home Street Bank and LarryÓs Chevron. The meeting to be adjourned at the demonstration site. Recess @ 11:30 am. DEMONSTRATION A demonstration was held at the vacant lot between LarryÓs Chevron and Home Street Bank. Demonstration included firefighters using equipment to put out fires. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 12:00 p.m. SUBMITTED BY: __________________________ MARTHA A. RODILLAS Secretary 6