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Home My WebLink About2002-11-13 Fire Commission Minutes HAWAII COUNTY FIRE COMMISSION REGULAR SESSION - MINUTES November 13, 2002 Liquor Control Conference Room Hilo Lagoon Centre CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Commissioner Maedo at 10:00 am. ROLL CALL: PRESENT:ALSO PRESENT: Stephen BowlesLincoln Ashida Neil BrazierLaurie Kaneta Dale FergerstromChristopher Langan Natalie FlattesDarryl Oliveira Rudolph HartMartha Rodillas Louis KaoiwiDesmond Wery Karen MaedoJoe Whitney Laura Ward Terry Wallace A quorum was present. STATEMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS Christopher Langan read his e-mail that was sent to the Fire Commission (see attachment ÐAÑ.) Chair Maedo advised Mr. Langan that his item would be agendized for the next meeting of the Fire Commission, which will be on December 11, 2002, in Kona. Further discussion will take place at that time. Commissioner Fergerstrom asked that Chief Oliveira provide information regarding this matter for the next meeting. APPROVAL OF MEETING PROCEEDINGS Commissioner Kaoiwi moved accept the October 9, 2002, regular and executive session minutes. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Hart a carried. APPROVAL OF WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS Commissioner Fergerstrom moved to accept communication number 02-110 (Salary Commission Agenda). The motion was seconded by Commissioner War unanimously carried. Commissioner Kaoiwi moved to accept written communications numbers 02-104 through 02-109. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Wallace and unanimously carried. CHIEFÓS REPORT Chief Oliveira reported: Budget: submitted a preliminary budget draft as of October 31 as a status quo budget. A supplemental budget was submitted; all department heads will give presentation to the Mayor. The supplemental budget included additional personnel to bring the department up to minimum industry standards. Support staff positions are included in this. Extensive supplemental budget is in excess of $3 million and has been justified. Grants: Anticipating awards from USFA grants; have not released disbursement. CDBG moves forward; did submit projects. Pahoa & Keaau donÓt have sites; working on design phase. Promotions & hiring: eight newly promoted fire captains started November 1. Briefing and orientation with new captains were held. The will be on a 6 month probationary period which is a continuation of the examination. They were provided with current position descriptions. There has been more interaction between the Assistant ChiefÓs and the new captains. FEO promotion interviews are scheduled for December 2, 3, 4, 5. The Commissioner who volunteers needs to be present during all days. Keeping integrity within the process. Had problems in the past with two past promotions. Will not tolerate the sharing of questions/information. Receiving packets from firefighter recruits. Making over 300 contacts to do reference/background checks. Operations division: including division heads in budget development process. Learning experience; time consuming; better program in the end. Invited Accounts and Finance to the Fire Department to give a class to understand the budget process. Prevention bureau: two fire inspectors returned from training; very positive about new assignments; doing a good job. 2 Training division: HAZMAT completed last month; has additional personnel to address these issues. Management team will graduate on November 25 at 1:00 pm Volunteer division: Volunteer meeting was held on October 26 and was productive. Discussed wild land urban interface problems in Hamakua Î did presentation. Working on database being put together. Presentation done by Dr. Moiya. HOVE unit was unavailable as they were participating in first responder training. HOVE being used as a pilot project. HFD personnel provided the training. Fifteen people were qualified; Lance Yoshida did a terrific job. EMS Division: MICT candidates continuing with training; expected field in January, 2003. Public Relations: Fire prevention week provided demonstration on October 12 in Kona. Thanks to everyone. Good turnout; good demonstration. Names of those promoted to the rank of Captain: Jason Gushiken, John Kihara, Darren Rosario, Peter Jose, Ralph Yawata, Alexander Almeida, Patrick Cassidy and Michael Gahan. Chief Oliveira mentioned that once the Mayor approves the budget, it will be shared with the Commissioners. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. COMMITTEE REPORTS Budget & Finance (Bowles/Hart) Commissioner Fergerstrom asked if he can make an appointment to see the budget privately. Commissioner Maedo reminded the HFC members not to inundate Chief Oliveira with questions. This committee is assigned to CommissionerÓs Bowles and Hart. Office Management and Staffing (Fergerstrom/Wallace) Chief Oliveira is satisfied with the evaluation form. Corporation Counsel Ashida advised that the evaluation process does not need to be held publicly. DF asked that the ch evaluation process be placed on the agenda for December. Commissioner Fergerstrom moved to agendize the evaluation of the Fire Chief be placed on the December meeting for adoption. The motion was sec Commissioner Wallace and unanimously carried. Rules and Policies (Kaoiwi/Flattes) None. 3 Public Relations (Ward) Commissioner Ward thanked Chief Oliveira and the HFD for their participation in the Ironman event. There were several firefighters participating including one from New York. Positive feedback from community. Curtis Tyler had concerns regarding blank areas on the HFC agendas. MOTION TO MOVE TO EXECUTIVE SESSION It was moved by Commissioner Ward that the Fire Commission goes into executive session as Chief Oliveira has expressed a concern, which the HFC should be made aware of. Pursuant to Section 92-5a(4) Commissioner Ward has questions of Corporation Counsel Ashida regarding this boards, powers, immunities and liabilities. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Fergerstrom and unanimou The regular session ended at 10:40 am and went into executive session. NEW BUSINESS Hualalai fire station Commissioner Bowles and Ward along with Chief Oliveira attended a meeting and agreed it would be a good idea. Need to find a site and funding. Kukio, Hualalai & Four Seasons Resorts are working on this and will raise funds or donate funds to help out HOVE. Roger Harris of PIA, is heading that now; will continue to have a committee. Regarding Communication No. 02-110, Salary Commission Agenda, Commissioner Ward will testify before the Salary Commission. She will gather information regarding the vision and mission statement, progress of the Fire Department, a project log that Chief is working on, and justification for the salary increase. The focus will be on the uniqueness of this department. Medical aspect of this department is highly technical and highly trained; concept of strategic planning. The position will be focused. ACTION ON EXECUTIVE SESSION MATTER Commissioner Fergerstrom moved that the HFC make an advisory regarding involvement of the Fire Chief in public testimony of department heads. Chief Oliveira is inseparable of the Fire Department. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Ward and unanimously carried. PUBLIC STATEMENTS None. ANNOUNCEMENTS 4 Dispatcher Karen Bugado was recognized for being a nominee of the County of HawaiÒiÓs Employee of the Year Awards Program. Karen is very deserving of the recognition. (A lei was presented to Karen.) Secretary Martha Rodillas was recognized for accepting the award of Employee of the Year. Commissioner Brazier testified on MarthaÓs behalf regarding her willingness to serve the Fire Commission. (A lei was presented to Martha.) The next meeting is to be held on Wednesday, December 11, 2002, at 10:00 a.m. at the Paniolo Conference Room, Keauhou Beach Shopping Center, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Karen Maedo will be in Costa Mesa, California and unable to attend the meeting. Set agenda for December 11, 2002 meeting: evaluation of Fire Chief and election of officers. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 11:35 am. SUBMITTED BY: __________________________ MARTHA A. RODILLAS Secretary B&C:Fire Commission:Regular Session Minutes November 13, 2002 LS 5