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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-03-10 Fire Commission Minutes HAWAII COUNTY FIRE COMMISSION REGULAR SESSION - MINUTES March 10, 2004 Resolution Room Royal Kona Resort CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Commissioner Neil Brazier at 10:00 am. ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Stephen Bowles Neil Brazier Dale Fergerstrom Rudolph Hart Louis Kaoiwi Karen Maedo Glen Matsuda Clifford (Joe) Whitney EXCUSED: Laura Ward A quorum was present. ALSO PRESENT: Mack Goddard Laurie Kaneta Diane Noda Martha Rodillas Noni Sanford Desmond Wery STATEMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS None APPROVAL OF MEETING PROCEEDINGS It was moved by Commissioner Maedo that the minutes of the February 11, 2004 regular session minutes be approved. Commissioner Hart seconded Commissioner Whitney noted that Chief OliveiraÓs return date in the minutes should reflect the month of ÐFebruaryÑ instead of ÐMarchÑ. Correction made and the motion was unanimously carried. APPROVAL OF WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS Commissioner Kaoiwi moved to accept communication numbers 04-009 through 04- 012. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Maedo and unanimou Communication No. 04-012 (CONFIDENTIAL) was added to the agenda. CHIEFÓS REPORT Chief Oliveira welcomed new Fire Commissioners Glenn Matsuda and Whitney and a lei was presented to each of them. st Budget: The 1 hearing before the Council will be held tomorrow (March 11) at the County Council Room at 1:30 p.m. Included in the budget are the operation expenses for the Kalaoa and Volcano (KMC) fire stations. Chief Oliveira has been conversing with Councilman Aaron Chung for additional positions that the HFD would like to have. Alternative Funding & Grants: HFDÓs grantwriters are actively researching material for their grant submittal for the acquisition of two training/burn trailers. One is for East HawaiÒi and one is for West HawaiÒi. The cost for each trailer is $400,000 with 30% matching funds coming from the County. CIP: Puna Public Safety Complex Î no new updates to report. Ogasawara (Pahoa) property Î negotiations still on going between owner & county. If the dimensions and setbacks for construction donÓt provide accommodations for fire and police, the project will continue on with just fire moving there. Fire Administration Î The Sun Sun Lau property was revisited with owner Kenneth Fujiyama. Would like to take the HFC on four property site visits at the next HFC meeting in April. Feedback from the HFC is appreciated. Finalized CIP for FY 04-05 plans included for the Naalehu and Ho Stations. Promotions & hiring: th 30 recruit class will begin on March 16, 2004; will introduce the HFC meeting. FEO and Fire Captain Internal RecruitmentÓs have been done. 2 Completed fire rescue specialistÓs promotions. Temporary vacanc created due to staff on military leave. Some HFD employees may have contacted the HFC regarding better communication on how the hiring process is weighted and graded on a well-rounded scale. There was a physical agility requirement that they had to pass. Included in the overall evaluation, a section of weight was given to reference checks, which included education and experience or formal education and years of service in the department and the interview. This criterion was not shared with the applicants prior to them participating. It was shared with them after they were rated and ranked and graded. Next time, this information will be shared with them prior to the process beginning. Two Fire Radio Dispatchers were hired. Two fire mechanics will effective April 1. The Mechanic Shop will then be filled. There are two individuals out on long-term leave. The Chief would like to fil vacancy in the Prevention Bureau. Chief Oliveira has met with D Civil Service to open up the recruitment to outside the state of HawaiÒi; still exploring other options. Exploring creative ways to fill this position. The two Inspectors are doing very well in maintaining their workload. W changing the classification for this position. Operations Division: This division has been busy with the past several storms. Volun thanked for their assistance during the last storm. RMS update: A refresher training for assistant fire chiefs was held to review and close reports, making sure they are complete and thorough. CAD link is now upgraded and working with the HPD; work is progressing. Attended a Firewise workshop in HOVE. Feedback from the volunte it was positive. A lot of people have concerns. There are about 25 people that could start a group with Firewise. The volunteers thanked Chief Oliveira for coming out to this meeting. This training is to get the communities involved in being more pro-active in dealing with wild land fires, assessing neighborhoods, etc. Prevention bureau: State Fire Council quarterly meeting was held in Kona on February 19/20, 2004. It was a good opportunity to network with other State offices regarding changing the uniform Fire Code for the State of HawaiÒi. An example given was regarding the automatic gas shut-off nozzle. Each jurisdiction will take a poll from all service (gas) stations to see what would be better re automatic shut-off nozzles. This will revise the uniform Fire Code for the State. There may be a nozzle problem or a latch problem. There are safety concerns of people going to put devices in there anyway. Fire Inspectors attended a Fire Alarm Seminar in Kona. Training division: 3 th 28 Recruit Class will complete their Firefighter recruit probation period on March 16 and start their second rotation of station assignments on March 17. Driver competency training program update: Training began February 3 and continued island-wide on various dates. Of the 271 drivers, 120 have been audited to date. Haz Mat Technician - Train the Trainer Program: Two captains are attending classes. Met with the Chancellor of HawaiÒi Community College and University of HawaiÒi at Hilo regarding future plans, training/partnership opportunities for HawaiÒi County. Would like to get the fire science program back in HawaiÒi County. The Chancellor would like to bring this program back. A survey will be provided to HCC along with a list of qualified instructors who would support the program. Volunteer division: Driver Training Class Update: Three classes conducted thus far. Total of 8 certified drivers. Next Volunteer Fire ChiefÓs meeting will be hosted by Fire Administration and be held sometime in April at Central Fire Station. Date has yet to be confirmed. th EMS Division: 29 recruit class completed classroom segment of EMT-B training. They will be going to stations for clinical rotations for about five weeks, then back to EMT-I training. Fire Auxiliary Services: CADS link began working at 4:00 a.m. March 10. Operation Strong Angel II and Groove: This is a military, government and private partnership that will be used to create a wireless communication process. This will enable the use of voice transmission and text messaging island wide. Gay Matthews will provide periodic updates. In times of disasters and crises this would provide an alternative method of communication via computers. It would be able to pinpoint areas and maps of incidents, etc. New Projects/Business: Status of Fire Commission Secretary Position: MarthaÓs resources are needed for the Office of the Corporation Counsel. Chief Oliveira is seeking assistance from another County Department for secretarial services for the HFC. Legislative issues: SB 2136: Intent was to establish a Statewide Fire fighting Training Academy on the Big Island. A fire training facility is needed. HFD would share the facility with the State, Department of Transportation, Fire, Military, etc. Some concerns have been expressed. This matter may come under the Department of Public Safety. They would like to see it under the jurisdiction of the University. As this bill moves forward would like the HF letters of support. SB 2399: Relates to the funding of emergency ambulance services Ocean View community. It was communicated to legislators that this bill is 4 unique because it deals with the government and private partnerships Î private purchased vehicle. Chief Oliveira reported that his two-week training at the National Fire Academy was very positive and he recommends that the HFD high-ranking of this. He got to experiment with the programs and software that manages projects, provides documentation, etc. Reminder Annual Employee Recognition and Awards dinner is scheduled for April 3, at the Royal Kona Resort. HFC is invited. Public Relations: Participated in ÐHugs not DrugsÑ sign waiving island wide on February 20, 2004. Solutions 2004 conference on May 1 at the Waikoloa Beach Marriot stages. MotherÓs Day floral bouquet delivery project on May 8 (Saturday). Last year $4,000 was donated to the American Cancer Society. Bouquets will be delivered by HFD uniformed personnel. th EMS week - May 16-22, 2004. 4 Annual EMS Week 5K Fun Run/2.0 miles walk on May 22 at Liliuokalani Gardens. FEO Dennis Iyo will be implementing a citizen valor/recognition awards program for citizens who did something heroic/extraordinary. Commissioner Kaoiwi asked if a detailed synopsis was given to Se and Kokubun regarding the legislative proposal for a training center at the Shipman Industrial Park for it to be given to HFD instead of Dept. of Public Safety/Corrections. Concerns were expressed about who will get this training center. Chief Oliveira found out a day before the hearing regarding this matter. The Senators understand how this program would be managed and put together. The Bill includes language on how they would charge for the use of the facility i.e. $50 usage per person, etc. Keeping them aware of public safety providers i.e. classroom, training site for military, HFD, HPD, Dept. of Corrections, Dept. of Public Safety, etc., put it under the UHH. Dept. of Public Safety is having problems in Honolulu regarding fire safety. HPD and HFD do not have a good training center here on the Big Island. Nothing was solidified with W.H. Shipman because land is not committed. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Tiered Compensation Plan: Deputy Corporation Counsel Diane Noda stated that Commissioners Ward and Fergerstrom were planning on attending th Commission meeting. Ms. Noda checked with the Salary Commission Gerald Takase, and it was advised that Ms. Ward & Mr. Fergerstrom not appear at this time before the Salary Commission. The Salary Commission, at this time, is not sure they are going to have a tiered system. Twice they Salary Commission have had no quorum. The Salary Commission will need to reconvene wit commissioners. 5 Review of HawaiÒi Fire Commission Rules, Regulations & Responsibilities: It was moved by Commissioner Bowles that this item be deferred until the last vacancy of the Fire Commission is filled. This motion was seconded by Comm and unanimously carried. Fire Chief Evaluation - status (Chair Neil Brazier): Commissioner Maedo thanked Chair Neil Brazier for completing the evaluation with Chief Oliveira. Commissioner Brazier stated that outstanding reports were done and there was a nice write up in the newspaper. Deputy Corporation Counsel Noda advised that the evaluations are personnel records and are deemed confidential by the Office of the Corporation Counsel. The HFCÓs letter to the Mayor is a public document. COMMITTEE REPORTS Budget & Finance (Bowles/Hart) Commissioner Hart reported that the HFD would have its meeting tomorrow before the Finance Committee. He asked if any of the Commissioners are available, to please appear and back-up Chief Oliveira on his proposed budget. Public testimony would be done under public statements on the agenda. Commissioner Maedo thanked Commissioner Bowles for the and work that he did. Each Commissioner met with their councilman for continued support. Chief Oliveira provided information to the Mayor regarding shortage of personnel at the Fire Department. Commissioner Fergerstrom commented that the Mayor is required to submit a balanced budget to the Council. The HFCÓs testimony is important. Statistics provided were very helpful. When presenting testimony, it was advised to be brief and concise. Noni Sanford will provide copies of a letter sent to U.S. Representative Ed Case in support of the HFDÓs budget. Commissioner Maedo stated that the HFDÓs strategic plan is important and is a good map of where the HFD is headed; it is supported by the statistics that Commissioner Bowles researched. Commissioner Kaoiwi advised that when testifying before the Council, the CommissionerÓs should stick by their guns and be aggressive. Office Management and Staffing (Fergerstrom) none Rules and Policies (Kaoiwi) none Public Relations (Ward) none NEW BUSINESS PUBLIC STATEMENTS None ANNOUNCEMENTS 6 The next meeting will held on Wednesday, April 14, 2004, at 10:00 a.m. at the Liquor Control Conference Room, Hilo Lagoon Centre, 101 Aupuni Street. Set agenda for April 14, 2004 meeting: th Introduction of 30 Recruit Class Site Visitation of 4 proposed sites for the Fire Administration (off-site) Councilman Leningrad ElarionoffÓs presentation regarding ÐCharacter FirstÑ Commissioner Maedo moved that Councilman Elarionoff be allowed a half-hour presentation at a HFC meeting to present his ÐCharacter FirstÑ presentation. Commissioner Kaoiwi seconded this motion. A discussion was held Oliveira stated that this presentation was presented to the HFD. It involves character training for the community, being character focused, n individual for skill, but look for honesty, integrity, etc. The HFD interview panel took into account character of applicants when screening/interviewing the candidates. Some Commissioners are willing to sit thru the one- presentation while others are not willing to sit thru the one-hour presentation and would prefer it be streamlined to half-hour. Motion was carried. ADJOURNMENT Î 11:03 a.m. SUBMITTED BY: __________________________ MARTHA A. RODILLAS Secretary B&C:Fire Commission:Regular Session Minutes 9-10-03 LSA/mr 7