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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-10-09 Fire Commission Minutes HAWAII COUNTY FIRE COMMISSION REGULAR SESSION - MINUTES October 9, 2002 Liquor Control Conference Room Hilo Lagoon Centre CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Commissioner Brazier at 10:00 ROLL CALL: PRESENT:ALSO PRESENT: Neil BrazierLincoln Ashida Dale FergerstromTerrence Ignacio Rudolph HartLaurie Kaneta Louis KaoiwiTy Medeiros Terry WallaceDarryl Oliveira Laura WardMartha Rodillas Desmond Wery Charlotte Whitney Joe Whitney A quorum was present. ABSENT: Karen Maedo (excused) Stephen Bowles (excused) Natalie Flattes (excused) STATEMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS None APPROVAL OF MEETING PROCEEDINGS Commissioner Kaoiwi moved to accept the September 11, 2002, regular session minutes. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Hart and unani APPROVAL OF WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS Commissioner Wallace moved to accept written communications numb through 02-103. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Kaoiwi carried. Commissioner Wallace commented that the ChiefÓs letters are good for morale. Commissioner Brazier commented that Russell MoritaÓs letter has validity about public safety in the event of a critical incident. Chief Oliveira stated that calls couldnÓt be predicted on location. Systems data management can be tracked and predicted. From a service delivery point of view it does not always mean that you will always have delivery. The stations are strategically placed and have the resources available. Russell Morita discussed this matter with Chief Oliveira. A problem solving team will be established and Russell Morita will be a part of this team. When there is an event with a large number of people, the potential of an incident occurring is great. There is no Ðspecial dutyÑ for firefighters like there is for the police officers. There are only volunteers. Need to find a more efficient way of doing this. Equipment and policy in place are issues that need to be resolved. Stand by services need to be consistent including price, wages, etc. The policy needs to be in place and supported by the HRS or County Charter by mandate. Commissioner Fergerstrom stated that the volunteers are free. Community groups may not be able to financially afford the services. HPD have both s officers. Commissioner Wallace stated that in other jurisdictions patients get charged. Commissioner Kaoiwi stated that it doesnÓt matter where the ambulance is stationed; the ambulance will respond to the incident. CHIEFÓS REPORT Chief Oliveira reported: Budget: Administrative staff and management team are preparing to develop upcoming budget for 2003 - 2004. Part of the strategic process is a practical budget that supports the HFDÓs mission. Status quo budget and supplement budget can be submitted for additional needs and requirements. Looking at refunding un-funded positions Î 3 FEOÓs for HOVE and 2 inspectors. Grants: Honolulu & Maui received notice of awards $750,000 for Honolulu; $285,000 for Maui; Kauai received none; HawaiÓi Î has not receiv optimistic. HFD received $5,000 from the Dept. of Interior - US Fish & Wildlife for wildfire training. Want to get personnel certified. Mana Road and Hakalau Forest 2 reserve Î HFD are the primary responders. $50,000 received from State Division of Forestry to acquire equipment and support fire operations in the rural areas Î fire hose, water tanks, supports volunteers. Promotions & hiring: Thanked Commissioner Kaoiwi for participating in interviews. 12 candidates were interviewed to fill 8 captain positions. Bac check and application packet being sent to new hires. 55 packet prospective candidates. Received three absolute rejections. Wi checks on 52 applicants to fill 30 vacancies. 107 candidates took agility test; 55 passed. Some may be lost through background and reference checks. Working with HPD; sent to Office of Justice so they can do their own background checks on NCIC. Operations division: Assistant ChiefÓs are participating in budget development process; will submit input from personnel. Will come up with good plans and budget proposals. Prevention bureau: 2 newly promoted inspectors have been going through training and performing. Fire Prevention Inspector Eric Paiva retired as of September 30. Training division: participating in budget development; wild land training class and equipment maintenance classes. Volunteer division: Paauilo volunteer company has been activated. On October 26, 2002, 10:00 am at South Kohala Fire Station there will be a volunteer fire fighter meeting. There are a total of 225 volunteer fire fighters. Kalaua fire station will be evaluated on October 17 by the HawaiÓi Insurance Bureau. EMS Division: 5 MICTÓs are back on the island Î continuing with their clinical training. Preceptor training to provide awareness and skills to evaluate the training. Public Relations: Fire Prevention Week in Kona October 12 from 10 a.m.Î 2 p.m. at the Old Kona Airport. Commissioner Ward asked that if a fire fighterÓs spouse or family member gets injured is there a procedure/policy implemented? Chief Oliveira explained that there is no way to prepare until you get to the scene Î not knowing who the victim is may be difficult at times. The men handle the situations in a professional manner and get the assistance of co-workers. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. COMMITTEE REPORTS 3 Budget & Finance (Bowles/Hart)None to add. Office Management and Staffing (Fergerstrom/Wallace) Presentation of proposed salaries of Fire Chief & Deputy Fire Chief. Commissioner Wallace prepared an evaluation and implemented changes recommended by commissioners. Commissioner Fergerstrom asked that the goals be submitted in January; however they can add to it throughout the year and make changes. Wallace asked for everyone to review the proposal and give him feedback. Commissioner Fergerstrom stated that some info that was conveyed was a strategy. Wants to provide background information. More details to be discussed in executi Rules and Policies (Kaoiwi/Flattes) No changes; rules and regulations still apply. Commissioner Ward asked for clarification of an excused absence. Roberts Rules of Orders states that the Chairperson decides what is excused and unexcused. Commissioner Kaoiwi asked that this be brought up in executive session. If there are three unexcused absences they should be removed. Commission stated that an example of an excused absence is sickness, etc. The only people that can remove a Commissioner are the County Council and Mayor. Commissioner Fergerstrom asked to speak with that person and come to an agreement. Corporation Counsel Ashida advised that there are ways to approach this matter. There are boards and commissions that meet quarterly and more infrequently. The HawaiÒi Fire Commission has more authority. The MayorÓs Office can find a commission that would be suitable for the person. Encourage this person to attend the meetings. Commissioner Brazier stated that he would take care of this matter. Public Relations (Ward) Fire Prevention week is next Saturday Î Bucket Brigade at the Old Kona Airport encouraged the commissioners to be a part of the team. Dudley Akama may participate as part of the HFC team. NEW BUSINESS HOVE fire station Commissioner Fergerstrom stated that a valid point was brought up at the last meeting. There is a County facility in HOVE staffed by volunteers; wants to upgrade the station and have it staffed. Three people will give one person per shift plus additional volunteers. Pushing for three personnel per shift. Estimated cost is approximately $600,000. Chief Oliveira stated four firefighters need to be trained for each response; ability to deliver water flow. ItÓs not a matter of putting 100 gallons of water needed; residents identify their water needs. An effective fire company should be responding. One individual cannot extricate a victim from a vehicle in an auto accident. Joe Whitney stated that all you can do is recommend to the Mayor. 4 Commissioner Ward stated that JoeÓs concerns is that it may be taken away; it needs to happen. The engine will be delivered April, 2003. Chief Oliveira stated that when the budget is submitted, testimony may be given and will be valuable. Commissioner Ward recommended that the commissioners speak with councilmen to generate funds. Chief Oliveira doesnÓt want to take away from the volunteers and wants to provide coverage for Hawaiian Ranchos, etc. Volunteer and career firefighters will work together. Chief would like to get the position refunded, get another station in that area and maintain what is there now. All State Insurance is revisiting the schedules because they are not re-writing policies for homes in that district because of the limited amount of resources. The three positions that exist need to be funded. This is normal practice writers. Commissioner Fergerstrom asked if the HFC be notified to enhance their ability for the presentation to the County Council. Commissioner Fergerstrom asked for HOVE to get organized. HPD got 5 positions because the community got involved. There must be effort from the community to get what they want. When the community talks and thereÓs a representative, there is impact. Commissioner Fergerstrom encouraged the residents of HOVE not to sit and wait for things to come up and encouraged them to make contact with their respective council members. He also encouraged them to start meeting with Council people from Hilo to get them to go along with the idea. If the idea comes from the volunteers, it is more valuable. He encouraged them to get politically active, get involved and to start lobbying. There is a legitimate concern; that will be addressed when the government realizes that you are willing to come forward. Commissioner Ward stated that peopleÓs presence is a big impact; phone calls are good too. Chief Oliveira stated that there is a 30,000-gallon water tank located in Ainaloa that HFD can access. Hualalai fire station Commissioner Ward reported that there would be a committee that will include Amy Conroy, Roger Harris Î PIA, Wally Campbell, Richard Albright, Steven Bowles and others. They will have informal meetings. Chief Oliveira stated that some communities have the resources to put money into projects. HFD does not want the communities that have the resources vs. the communities that do not have the resources create a rift. Consider a concept of sister 5 communities. Developers share development in other communities; HFD does not want people with money having service where people without money who need the service cannot afford the service. MOTION TO MOVE TO EXECUTIVE SESSION Commissioner Fergerstrom moved to go into executive session to consider discipline and charges against employees of the HawaiÓi County Fire Department where consideration of matters affecting privacy will be involved and a closed session is requested, and to consult with Corporation Counsel on questions and issues pertaining to the commissionÓs powers, duties, privileges, immunities, and liabilities. (Pursuant to HRS 92-5(2) and HawaiÓi County Charter Section 13-20(b) ).This motion was seconded by Commissioner Ward and unanimously carried. Executive session commenced 11:05 am. ACTION ON EXECUTIVE SESSION MATTER None. PUBLIC STATEMENTS None. ANNOUNCEMENTS The next meeting is to be held on Wednesday, November 13, 2002, at 10:00 a.m. at the Liquor Control Conference Room, Hilo Lagoon Centre, Hilo Hawaii. Set agenda for November 13, 2002 meeting. Hualalai Fire Station. Make decision on evaluation of fire chief proposal. Feedback on talk with commissioner re status of participation in meetings. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 12:13 pm SUBMITTED BY: __________________________ MARTHA A. RODILLAS Secretary B&C:Fire Commission:Regular Session Minutes October 9, 2002 LSA/ 6