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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-09-11 Fire Commission Minutes HAWAII COUNTY FIRE COMMISSION REGULAR SESSION - MINUTES September 11, 2002 Exhibition Room Keauhou Shopping Center CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Commissioner Maedo at 10:00 am. There was a brief pause to reflect on the tragic events of September 11, 2001. All commissioners and members of the public participated in a moment of silence held at the Keauhou Shopping Center Court area. ROLL CALL: PRESENT:ALSO PRESENT: Stephen BowlesDudley Akama Neil BrazierMichael Andrade Dale FergerstromClint Coloma Rudolph HartAmy Conroy Louis KaoiwiWendy Cortez Karen MaedoMichael Gahan Laura WardLaurie Kaneta Terry WallaceJane Larkin Steven Narikiyo Martha Rodillas Noni Sanford Patrice Sweet George Van Gieson Desmond Wery, Deputy Fire Chief Joe Whitney A quorum was present. ABSENT: Natalie Flattes (excused) STATEMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS Amy Conroy, head of Security of the Four Seasons Resort Î Hualalai stated that they want to put together private funds for the construction of a fire station in Kaupulehu, which is a growing community. Private developers will donate funds. Developers were spoken to and they want to seize the moment and move forward. Commissioner Bowles asked if there has been any contact with Chief Oliveira on this issue. Ms. Conroy stated that she has had informal conversations with the Chief and the needs of the area have exceeded what the volunteer station can offer. Commissioner Ward asked what is the next step. Ms. Conroy stated that a committee needs to be put together of interested parties including Hualalai, Kukio Development and Charles Schwab entity (Roger Harris). The need for this construction is to provide fire and life safety response. There are approximately 2,000 people down their daily Î construction workers, guests, visitors, families, etc. The community has expressed a need for assistance. If done with private funds, no need to go via bidding process. Land can be donated from PIA Î Roger Harris. Ms. Conroy stated that she has full time employees with extensive medical backgrounds. Taking a pro-active; preventive approach. Financi homeowners Î response times; distance. Commissioner Kaoiwi asked if a site has been designated for this firehouse. Ms. Conroy stated that there have been plans on the table for a County training facility however it is not definite. This is a time where everyone is receptive. Players are right. Commissioner Brazier asked if the homeowners feel that this need exists. Ms. Conroy agreed. These people could choose to live anywhere in the world, and they choose to live here. The resorts are unable to match the services that the County can provide. Deputy Corporation Counsel Akama recommended that this item be added to the agenda under new business. Commissioner Fergerstrom moved to discuss this subject matter under new business of the agenda. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Ward and un carried. APPROVAL OF MEETING PROCEEDINGS Commissioner Kaoiwi moved to accept the August 14, 2002, regular and executive session minutes. Commissioner Wallace apologized for his Ðsick and lazyÑ comment made at the last meeting. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Ward and unanimously carried. 2 APPROVAL OF WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS Commissioner Brazier moved to accept written communications numbers 02-93 through 02-94 and added to accept communication No. 02-95. The seconded by Commissioner Bowles and unanimously carried. Commissioner Ward moved to add Communication No. 02-95 to discus Business of the Agenda. The motion was seconded by Commissioner unanimously carried. HFD Presentation: County of HawaiÒi Training Specialist Jane Larkin reported that the Fire Department management team embarked on a strategic planning process in June, 2002. Core values, a vision statement and a mission statement were 3 goals that were met. Values: integrity; pride. Vision statement: ÐThe HawaiÒi County Fire Department is the leader in the field o emergency services. We are a team of highly skilled and motivated men and women committed to providing the highest quality of protection to life and property. Through dedicated teamwork, we have achieved unequalled excellence.Ñ Mission statement: Ð First in fire protection and emergency services with trained professionals - dedicated to serve with pride, honor and compassion.Ñ An eight-week (32 sessionÓs) leadership development course was g personnel. The classes started on July 8 and consisted of 12 major leadership topics. Two presentations will be done at todayÓs meeting. Presentations were a part of ÐgraduatingÑ from the class. FTO Mike Andrade from the Kailua Fire Station did a presentation to the Fire Commission based on the information he learned while attending t development courses. Steven Narikiyo, George Van Gieson and Michael Gahan did a skit Fire Commission based on the information they learned while attending the leadership development courses. CHIEFÓS REPORT Deputy Chief Desmond Wery reported: st Budget: 1 two months spending appear normal; overtime has gone up due to leadership classes. 3 Grants: monitoring allocation from USFA and FEMA grant program; HFD may receive awards. Trusts - $50,000 + $8,500; SCBA units (20) Î working toward standardization. Establishing a building program; account for everyone in the fire ground; ID machine that would create name tags. Promotions & hiring: as of September 1, 2002, there will be three new assignments for newly hired inspectors. One person resigned; waiting for options. One prevention inspector is retiring. Background and reference check procedures are being worked on. Looking at hiring new recruits 24-30 candidate Operations division: Concluded SCBA research project; will proceed with implementation. Prevention bureau: focusing on orientation and training of newly promoted; receive specialized training. Training division: on-going; good pool of panel members for interview board for fire captain promotion. Chemistry of hazardous materials two-week class Î Hilo; Kauai; Maui have been invited; classes being held in Hilo. There is a two-week skill section. More HAZMAT technicians trained in the department. Training done by NFPA. Last week five personnel returned from Sacramento Î urban search and rescue team. Heavy rescue operations were completed. Volunteer division: Next meeting scheduled for October 26 at South Kohala fire station; commissioners encouraged to attend. New business: research team has been identified. Public Relations Î raised $4,000 for HawaiÒi Island United Way b at KTA island-wide. October 6-12 is fire prevention week; formal program will be performed at old Kona Airport on October 12. County financial reports being worked on; hasnÓt received July 2 Commissioner Wallace asked if the time of incidents can be included on the report and an indication of water rescues Î if they were successful or not? Commissioner Fergerstrom stated that may cause confusion - what is defined as a successful rescue? Commissioner Fergerstrom asked if there has been any progress on the drug testing policy. Deputy Corporation Counsel Akama stated that new contract will be negotiated in December with the union. 4 UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. COMMITTEE REPORTS Budget & Finance (Bowles/Hart ) Bowles Î attended meeting; looking at growth rates and assessments. Maintaining contacts; wants 11.5% for the Department. Office Management and Staffing (Fergerstrom/Wallace) Wallace Î got a copy of chiefÓs evaluation; wants to have a ÐratingÑ scale instead of a Ðyes/noÑ answer. Rules and Policies (Kaoiwi/Flattes) Kaoiwi - No changes; all rules and regulations still apply. Public Relations (Ward) Ward - Minutes are posted on the Internet. Attended two graduations of leadership training. The HFCÓs presence is very important to the HFD personnel. Kauloa Station Î new one. The HFCÓs participation is greatly appreciated. Commissioner Fergerstrom asked if the leadership training is a one-shot deal or an on- going training? Deputy Chief Wery stated that they intend to bring the training to the driverÓs also. Leadership training is excellent. High praise was given to Jane Larkin NEW BUSINESS Ms. Conroy approached the HFC to discuss Hualalai. Deputy Corporation Counsel Akama stated that section 92-7 allows us to amend agenda if this subject matter does not allow major importance. He suggested to allow Ms. Conroy to have an investigative committee. No official action can be taken today; it would be out of order. This item must be put on agenda for future meetings. Commissioner Fergerstrom stated that a hard look between Hualalai and Kailua area must be taken. Developments in Kailua will be taxing the Kailua HFD more. Instead of servicing that particular area, the whole area needs to be looked at that would require medical assistance. Areas to be affected are various industrial growth, increase in traffic, etc. The location of another facility is appropriate, this would include a training facility and possibly a connection to the airport. Commissioner Bowles stated that some ideas began to develop for example, Kukio resorts. ItÓs becoming increasingly evident that something needs to be done on that side of the airport. The airport is an issue. The Chief authored a letter in support of a training center. The resort peopleÓs interest is more in the area of EMS service. There 5 is a lot of expertise that need to be put together. The timing of this HFC being involved couldnÓt be better. Someone from the commission needs to be involved with this committee. Ms. Conroy stated that Hualalai is going through a transition phase. Their participation needs to happen soon. Life safety is important to the homeowners. Commissioner Ward stated that she feels the same urgency and that it needs to happen. The station in Kauloa has been discussed for six years; along quickly. Joe Whitney stated most people want to put stations where there is money. What about HOVE? Commissioner Fergerstrom stated that they will work with Mr. Whitney in working with the Council to fund it. Mr. Whitney stated that there is a brand new building that is 3 years old and not staffed. Medical response time is 25-30 minutes. Commissioner Fergerstrom stated that it will take a lot of effort. Commissioner Bowles stated that the HFC canÓt let an opportunity like this slip passed. The South end of the island troubles him a great deal. There will be growth in the community and the targets need to be established. Communication No. 02-95 regarding the Salary Commission will hav meetings. Commissioner Maedo asked CommissionerÓs Fergerstrom & Brazier to work on a pay structure for Chief & Deputy Chief and to work in concert with the Police Commission. Commissioner Wallace volunteered to attend the meeting if Brazier is unavailable. Commissioner Kaoiwi stated that geographically you may put all eight islands on this island and still have room; the salaries must be compared. CommissionerÓs Bowles & Ward will contact Ms. Conroy. PUBLIC STATEMENTS None. ANNOUNCEMENTS The next meeting is to be held on Wednesday, October 9, 2002, at 10:00 a.m. at the Liquor Control Conference Room, Hilo Lagoon Centre, Hilo Hawaii. 6 CommissionerÓs Bowles & Maedo unable to make the October 9 meeting. Commissioner Brazier to conduct meeting. Set agenda for October 9, 2002: HOVE & Hualalai Station; presentation of proposed salaries of Fire Chief & Deputy Fire Chief. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 12:09 PM SUBMITTED BY: __________________________ MARTHA A. RODILLAS Secretary 7