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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-07-25 Fire Commission Minutes HAWAI`I FIRE COMMISSION REGULAR SESSION MINUTES JULY 25, 2024 HAWAFI COUNTY BUILDING, COUNCIL CHAMBERS 25 AUPUNI ST., SUITE 1401, HILO, HI CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Chair Kosaki called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. Present: Gerald Kosaki, Chair Carlene Wolf, Vice Chair Brian Cushnie, Commissioner Steven Hirakami, Commissioner Corey Luke, Commissioner Shon Magsalin, Commissioner Wesley Mattos, Commissioner Wayne Perrin Jr., Commissioner A quorum was present. Also present: Kazuo-Todd, Fire Chief Sinclair Salas-Ferguson, Deputy Corporation Counsel Charisse Correa, Secretary PUBLIC STATEMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS (None) APPROVAL OF MINUTES • Chair Kosaki asked if there were any comments or discussions regarding the minutes. Hearing none, the minutes from the June 25, 2024 meeting were approved as drafted, with no objections. Commissioner Luke arrived at 9:06 a.m. FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT Fire Chief Todd highlighted items from the Fire Chief's Report. A detailed report is on file. • Fire Department Assessments: In June all the Captain and Fire Equipment Operator's Assessments were completed. • Fiscal Branch Report: Chief Todd reported that the program's budget goals are on track, with invoice settlements achieved within 90 days, achieving the goal. However, progress on record retention has been slower than expected. They're currently working on Laserfiche, training on the new workflow and form system, and aiming to move more into record retention and tracking everything in Laserfiche, it's proven more challenging than anticipated. There was further discussion regarding payroll, and converting from Eden FRESH to Oracle within the next two years. Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes July 25, 2024 Page 2 Fiscal Brach Report (cont.): Fire Chief Todd discussed the budget, highlighting HFD's spending on salaries, wages, OCE, and equipment for Fire, EMS, Ocean Safety, and grants. Currently, HFD is under budget at approximately 94.92%, this figure is expected to rise in the coming months. Delays in equipment orders, some taking up to two years to arrive, are contributing to this, with certain orders not yet reflected in the report. • Alternative Funding & Grants: The 2023 CDBG for three brush trucks from Orchid Isle Ford is still pending. Most grants in the report are ongoing from previous years. SAFER staffing funding expires in August 2024. While they didn't receive the $4 million CWDG grant, they did secure funding to complete the final two community wildfire protection plans for Hilo and Puna or Kau and Puna—details to be confirmed. This will ensure the entire island has comprehensive wildfire protection plans. • HR Branch Report: Chief Todd reported that they are on track with their program budget goals and are closing out the budget. Internal Recruitment within the Department: Fire Captain assessments took place on June 17, 2024, and Fire Equipment Operator assessments on June 20-21, 2024. Hazmat assessments and interviews are still pending. The sole candidate for the Fire Training Specialist position withdrew, so the position is being reassessed. Recruitment for WSO IV and V will begin soon; both were delayed to address a WSO III grievance concerning education and experience points, which are now being included in the promotional assessments. Additionally, a request to fill the Accountant I position was submitted to the Department of Human Resources. Open-Competitive Recruitment: The interview results for Fire Communications Officer I are pending. Five conditional offers were recently approved for WSO I. Formal employment offers were sent to 11 Fire Fighter Recruits and one Fire/EMS Recruit. • Total Calls for Service: Chief Todd reported for June, there were 2,607 calls for service. The total year-to-date is 15,530. They're estimating around 31,000 total calls for service for the year. • Response Times: HFD aims to improve response times in the long term. Current challenges include dispatch communication issues and delays in logging information into the system. To address this, they're implementing changes to mobile data terminals, allowing personnel to mark when they're en route and when they arrive on scene, without needing to communicate directly with dispatch. Chair Kosaki inquired about the types of calls in the report, noting rescue and EMS calls. He asked if technical rescue calls are grouped with EMS. Chief Todd explained that the National Fire Incident Reporting System categorizes them all under the 300 Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes July 25, 2024 Page 3 series. The national system is scheduled for redesign. There was further discussion on the importance of rescue and essential training for certification. • Emergency Operations: o Battalion 1 (East Hawai`i): There was a structure fire in an unoccupied commercial building on Wiwo`ole Street. Chief Todd noted an increase in fires started by squatters and the homeless, which was common in Puna but is now spreading to other areas. In other incidents, a lost but uninjured hiker and their dog were rescued from Amaumau Trail in Volcano, and an injured hiker was airlifted from the river mouth at Nanue Bridge in Papa`aloa. Another structure fire occurred on Road 3, where a male at the scene sustained burn injuries. o Battalion 2 (West Hawai`i): Rescue Boat 7 assisted a boat in distress by making contact and escorting it back to the harbor. Company 7 and 21 responded to a fire at a metal scrap yard, extinguishing multiple burning vehicles. They also handled a HazMat incident involving a propane leak at a residence. Additionally, there were several vehicle fires in Ocean View. • Special Operations: o Haz-Mat: The Hazmat team attended the 2024 Hazmat Continuing Challenge in Sacramento. Chair Kosaki congratulated the Hazmat Team from Makalei Station, C Shift, for earning first runner-up in the 2023 Unknown Sample of the Month Challenge, organized by the Department of Health and the Hawaii State Emergency Response Commission. He presented a certificate for the chief to pass on to the team. o Ocean Safety: WSO transfers are complete and scheduled for July 15, 2024, with a second transfer set for August 16, 2024. WSOs have received conditional offers and will undergo reference checks. o Rescue: A Rescue Captain's meeting is upcoming to discuss their needs, move forward with training, and address other requirements. • Support Services: o Emergency Medical Services: The current paramedic class completed their fourth rotation and final testing requirements at the end of June. They're currently working on final state and national requirements for licensure from the DCCA. The EMS Branch maintains a strong relationship with AMR and continues to collaborate with them. Cutter Ford Aiea has been awarded the bid for two replacement SUVs that are expected to arrive in January 2025. EMS Branch personnel assisted with the Honu Triathlon and remain active in Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes July 25, 2024 Page 4 the Fentanyl Task Force. They are experiencing delays in oxygen delivery from Airgas due to issues with filling medical-grade oxygen locally. o Training Services: Recruit graduation took place in July and is not included in this month's report. A request for Fire Commission attendance was made, but all seats were initially filled. A few vacant seats were later noted and will be addressed for future ceremonies. Chief Todd mentioned that the event was filmed and is available on their social media. The 52nd Recruits completed High-Rise Operations training at Bayshore Towers, the island's only building over seven stories tall. Since its construction, regulations have prevented buildings from exceeding seven stories. This training, along with joint workouts with HPD recruits and HFD recruits, is available on YouTube; links are included in the chief's report. Additionally, there were engine company operations and structural firefighting refresher classes. Funding from the County Council has been secured for new training initiatives, including a "Calm the Chaos" course on incident command and scene management for line officers. They also conducted co- training with PTA and military personnel. o Volunteer Training: Various companies conducted training recently. Notably, Ainaloa responded to a 30x30 structure fire, assisting with water shuttle operations by moving 3,000 gallons of water. o Fire Prevention: In June, the Fire Prevention Branch investigated a structure fire at a commercial property in District 2, believed to be caused by a squatter or trespasser. They also participated in the Hawaii County Civil Defense Preparedness Fair on June 1st. High-rise training was conducted at the Hilton with Company 14, and efforts are underway to increase station training. Inspectors tested the fire suppression and alarm systems at the new dispatch center on Mohouli Street. Prevention is transitioning from its old RMS to Fireworks EPR, with inspections to be fully integrated into EPR. The buildout of the EPR property list is in progress. Chief Todd also reported fireworks inspections for Fourth of July events were completed. Commissioner Mattos referred to the volunteers and inquired about their involvement in blood control and CPR classes. He asked if they would be used for EMS standbys. Chief Todd clarified that volunteers do not perform EMS standbys as they are not certified for it. They train all personnel to do CPR, including high school students. That's part of their normal training. Commissioner Perrin suggested that volunteers might help address staffing gaps by being trained in additional skills. Chief Todd explained that it's a fine line. He mentioned the lack of tax revenue needed to achieve optimal staffing levels. Comparing staffing levels to Kaua'i, he pointed out that even with Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes July 25, 2024 Page 5 similar staffing, the island's large and dispersed nature would still result in low response times. Chief Todd envisions using volunteers for major incidents and support roles, such as fighting wildfires and assisting at the scene. While he doesn't plan to train them for direct entry into structure fires, they are trained to drive trucks, supply water, and assist with various tasks. With only two personnel managing volunteers, it's a challenging situation. He's proposed new ideas to the Mayor and hopes for future improvements. The department lacks the funding and staffing to handle major disasters like Lahaina. Chief Todd aims to build both a strong career and volunteer side so that, in a major disaster, he can deploy every available resource. He strives to ensure that both career firefighters and volunteers are satisfied, balancing their needs, maintaining morale, and balancing that fine line between the two. Chair Kosaki noted that there are pros and cons to using volunteers. The union opposes expanding the volunteer program for several reasons, including safety concerns about the unknown capabilities of volunteers and the potential reduction in the demand for more professional firefighters, which impacts their push for increased staffing. Chair Kosaki acknowledged the benefits of volunteers and stated that he understands both sides. There was further discussion regarding fire insurance, training, fuel reduction projects, and grants. • Logistics, Emergency Communications, and Vehicle Maintenance Section: Annual inventory is nearing completion. In June, Logistics had 319 customers, completed 74 orders, and moved approximately $19,000 worth of product from the warehouse to the stations. They installed radios in brush trucks 15 and 9, and new ice machines have been ordered for Stations 6, 8, and 9. The mechanic shop handled 154 repairs, 18 service calls, and 12 contracted out. A new Mechanic II position will be added for West Hawaii. Chief Todd reported ongoing discussions with PTA about an agreement where PTA would fund HFD for repairs. PTA has two firetrucks, three brush trucks, and two ATVs, and HFD would handle their repairs in exchange for funding two mechanic positions. As HFD establishes a West Hawai'i mechanic shop, one position is already funded, with the potential for two more positions. Commissioner Mattos inquired about the mechanic shop's location. Chief Todd responded probably out of Makalei with a truck to go out and do repairs. Long-term plans include exploring two potential locations behind Stations 7 and 14, in collaboration with Sayres to design and develop two hanger/mechanic locations. The details are still being finalized. • Emergency Communications: A new clerk will be added to the dispatch to handle all Fire Department records for legal cases, public information requests, etc. Under the Uniformed Information Practices Act (UIPA), managing information requests involves Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes July 25, 2024 Page 6 significant paperwork, so having someone dedicated to searching, compiling, and redacting documents will be beneficial. Two Fire Communication Officers attended the NENA Conference in Orlando FL. The Joint Communication Center is in progress, and once the building is handed over to the County, vendors will start installing their equipment. • Information Technology Highlights: Chief Todd reported on multiple projects Chris in IT is currently working on. Chief Todd reported on his year-and-a-half effort to enhance situational awareness through camera deployment. Following the August 8t" incident, he met with HELCO, which has partnered with Alert West to install cameras across the island. These cameras will provide various angles to monitor fires and other incidents. Additionally, the Prevention Bureau has initiated a drone system. In the event of a fire, drone operators could create and send a GPS layer of the fire to the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and dispatch every hour. This will provide real-time visuals and GPS data, some of which may be publicly accessible. The goal is to provide more data and information to the EOC to ensure timely and accurate public messaging. Commissioner Cushnie expressed concerns about the safety of operating drones and helicopters simultaneously. He noted potential hazards. Chief Todd explained that the key is managing altitude and deconflicting airspace. As long as both are aware of each other's presence and airspace is coordinated, it should be safe. If they need to operate at the same altitude, they would time drone operations for when the helicopter is refueling or is grounded. It's still experimental, and they're working with their helicopter pilots to ensure safety. • Safety Specialist Report: Efforts are ongoing to finalize a Mold Awareness Abatement Training/Procedure. The Safety Culture Survey results were published and a GAP analysis of water rescue was conducted. • Other Updates: Chief Todd shared that he was a speaker at the Hawaii Energy Conference on May 22-23, 2024, at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center. He was invited to discuss battery-based fires, including their causes, the challenges they pose, and how the Fire Department is addressing these issues. He also covered regulations related to energy storage facilities and developments in battery technology. Commissioner Magsalin inquired if Chief Todd's speech was available on YouTube. Chief Todd replied that they would contact the conference organizers to check if it was posted and would follow up with them. Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes July 25, 2024 Page 7 Commissioner Hirakami referred to the response times in the report and asked if those were statewide targets. He noted that the percentages seem low and don't indicate how improvements would be made. He also asked for clarification because he found the data hard to understand. Chief Todd explained that the 80-second and 60-second response time targets come from NFPA standards. The data is published to encourage these conversations at their stations. However, he acknowledged that the data might not be fully accurate or useful, as performance can vary significantly between stations. The response times of 2:54 and 2:12 in the report are likely incorrect, with the island's average response time being closer to 8 to 10 minutes. Due to the island's size, achieving a 6-minute response time is unrealistic. He also mentioned that the charts are prepopulated with national data, and they haven't yet figured out how to adjust the data output to better align with their goals. Commissioner Hirakami suggested that an average response time for districts would be more realistic. Chair Kosaki sought clarification on the average turn out time, asking if it referred to the time from when the alarm is received to when they say they're responding. Chief Todd confirmed that this is correct. Chair Kosaki stated that 2 minutes and 54 seconds seems like a long time. While he understands the challenges of long response times due to the island's geography, he believes the average turn out time should be significantly lower. Chair Kosaki suggested that, with a Battalion Chief now in Training, it might be beneficial for that person to meet with the training captains, develop a plan, and present it to the Assistant Chief or Chief Todd. Chief Todd acknowledged that this idea had been mentioned in the past and confirmed he would reach out to the training Battalion Chief to ensure their involvement. Commissioner Hirakami inquired about the process for acknowledging and officially recording written communication, such as the written testimony received for today's meeting. DCC Salas-Ferguson informed the commission about Rule 7, reminding all commissioners to review and familiarize themselves with it. This rule permits the public to submit requests for the commission to inquire, provided they are submitted 10 days before the next hearing, etc. He and Ms. Correa can review the written testimony and reach out to the individual, asking for the necessary specifics under Rule 7, so it can be added to the agenda for the commission's consideration. Chair Kosaki asked if any commissioners had questions regarding the chief's report. Commissioner Cushnie inquired about any updates on the helicopters, including pilot retention, the third helicopter, the 135, etc. Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes July 25, 2024 Page 8 Chief Todd explained that there were a few issues concerning the MD 500 helicopter. The MD company may be going out of business, so they're stockpiling parts for it. Regarding the status of the 135, he will confirm the details and report back. They had to assign one of their personnel as operational control per requirements, the contract was just completed, but they were off-island, which eliminated their ability to have operational control. They can still transport patients— the Battalion Chief can make the call if it's a life safety issue—but they can't bill for the transport unless they meet the 135 requirements. The State needs to be informed because they can't bill the patient under 135 unless they comply with Federal Aviation Administration regulations. While they can continue transporting, billing is halted until they comply. Everything is set up, and the necessary controls are in place to address the situation. With staffing changes and new pilots, pilot training has been challenging. Regarding the Chopper 3 concept, the H145 that the Sayre Foundation is purchasing may not necessarily be integrated into the Fire Department. They are exploring options with Robert Lau and donors about potential programs, including the possibility of it becoming a state chopper or being managed by a private third party for inter-island transports. If the H145 is incorporated into HFD, it will bring several issues, such as exceeding their pilot threshold, changes in FAA regulations, and impacts on pilot compensation. They are still working on these details. Chief Todd further stated from a public service perspective, it would benefit the County of Hawai'i, and HFD will support efforts to find a solution, whether or not the department directly operates the chopper. Commissioner Cushnie inquired about the pilot retention issue and asked for an update on efforts to retain pilots and reduce turnover. Chief Todd explained that pilot turnover has been influenced by offers they couldn't match and retirements. Natural turnover is expected and there needs to be good training processes. To address this, they're considering direct contracts for pilots rather than subcontracting. This has been in the works for about a year and a half. They've also looked into integrating pilots into the civil service system but found it challenging due to rigid salary structures. Further discussion covered how other counties manage pilots, including contracts, training, pay, and budgets. Recess was called at 10:49 a.m., the meeting reconvened at 11:02 a.m. Chair Kosaki then excused the chief, who left the meeting. WRITTEN TESTIMONY Chair Kosaki asked counsel whether the anonymous correspondence concerning dispatch should be added to the next agenda for discussion or if it could be addressed at the current meeting. Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes July 25, 2024 Page 9 DCC Salas-Ferguson advised that it could be added to the next agenda for discussion. Chair Kosaki agreed to include it on the next agenda. DCC Salas-Ferguson explained that the rules and Sunshine Law have some grey areas. According to the rules, the commission can initiate an inquiry into matters within its jurisdiction, either by a public request if submitted within 10 days or by a motion from a commissioner at any time. He suggested that a commissioner could make a motion to address the issues raised in the email, which could then be placed on the agenda for further discussion, allowing the Fire Department to respond to the inquiry. Vice Chair Wolf inquired if they should notify the individual that their correspondence has been received and will be included on the agenda. DCC Salas-Ferguson advised that a commissioner could make a motion to start an inquiry and request Ms. Correa to email the writer, acknowledging receipt of the testimony and informing them that the matter will be on the agenda for next month if the commission chooses to pursue it. Chair Kosaki then asked for a motion to address the issue. Commissioner Perrin made a motion to initiate an inquiry into the issues raised in the email received on July 22, 2024. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Hirakami. With no further discussion, the motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Magsalin asked if the chief had received a copy of the email. Chair Kosaki confirmed that Chief Todd had received it. PERSONNEL MATTER Chair Kosaki brought up another inquiry. He noted that Chief Todd had mentioned the deputy chief might retire or resign by the end of the year and that interviews were underway. Chair Kosaki asked if it would be appropriate for the commission to inquire about the qualities the chief is seeking in a new deputy. DCC Salas-Ferguson explained that the commission's powers, duties, and functions are defined by the County Charter and the Commission's Rules. Under Rule 4, the commission can review personnel actions to ensure they conform with the policies outlined in Section 7-4.2 of the Charter. This section mandates that the Fire Department operate with high standards of recruitment and merit-based promotions. Therefore, the commission can ask the department to confirm that the selection process for the new deputy is based on fair and appropriate standards of merit, ability, and work performance, and designed to attract individuals with high levels of education, intelligence, and personal stability. Chair Kosaki stated he disagrees, noting that the deputy chief is appointed by the chief and is not subject to a formal recruitment process with specific qualifications. The chief has full discretion in making this decision. DCC Salas-Ferguson acknowledged that while the appointment is within the chief's authority, it must still adhere to certain standards outlined in the Charter. Rule 12 of the Fire Commission Rules states that the Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes July 25, 2024 Page 10 fire chief must appoint a deputy fire chief through a letter of appointment, accompanied by supporting data and a personal resume. Chair Kosaki suggested that, regardless of whom the chief selects, the commission could request the chief's justification for the choice. DCC Salas-Ferguson confirmed that it would be appropriate for the commission to inquire about the recruitment process under Section 7-4.2 and the commission's powers. Chair Kosaki inquired whether they could address the deputy chief appointment issue now or if it should be added to the agenda for the next meeting. DCC Salas-Ferguson advised adding it to the next agenda for formal discussion. Vice Chair Wolf suggested asking the chief about it today, noting that addressing it later might be too late. The commission agreed to raise the issue with the chief after unfinished business when he returns. Commissioner Mattos expressed a preference for appointing someone from within the department rather than an external candidate and questioned if the Rules or Charter could be changed to require this. DCC Salas-Ferguson clarified that the Charter gives the chief sole authority to appoint the deputy, and any change to that would require a Charter amendment. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Discuss and finalize the 2021 Annual Fire Commission Report. The commission reviewed the 2021 Fire Commission Annual Report, prepared by Commissioner Luke. Chair Kosaki asked if there were any comments or amendments. Noting a typo, he requested a motion to approve the report with the correction. Vice Chair Wolf motioned to approve the report with the addition of the word "evaluation," seconded by Commissioner Perrin. With no further discussion, Commissioners Hirakami and Cushnie abstained, and the motion carried unanimously. PERSONNEL MATTER (cont.) Chief Todd was invited back into the meeting. Chair Kosaki stated that the commission had questions about the process for the selection of the deputy chief. Specifically, they wanted to know what qualities or qualifications the chief is seeking in a new deputy. Chief Todd explained that he is selecting an internal candidate for the deputy position. He is seeking someone with a bachelor's degree, preferably with a chief officer rank or higher, or someone who sought to have that leadership experience for some years. Over the past three weeks, he had in-depth conversations—lasting 2-4 hours each— with everyone in the department who has pursued a chief officer role in the last three years. He has narrowed it down to three candidates, all with bachelor's degrees, over 20 years of experience, and chief officer roles, with one even holding a master's degree. Although he has a preferred candidate in mind, he needs to finalize a few details before making the official announcement. The selected candidate is highly qualified, well- Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes July 25, 2024 Page 11 respected, and knowledgeable about the department. Chief Todd is confident that the new deputy will be well-received and will positively impact the department. The new deputy will be introduced at the Fire Commission meeting in Kona in August. Commissioners Perrin and Mattos expressed support for the internal selection process, while Commissioner Magsalin inquired about the gender of the candidate, which Chief Todd confirmed was not a consideration in his decision-making. He emphasized that the selection is based on merit and qualifications. Chief Todd announced that he has secured approval for the State Fire Marshal position at the State level and is working on its creation. This new role will assume some responsibilities previously held by the State Fire Council, to establish state-wide standardization. He mentioned that while he values the benefits of external personnel and the fresh perspectives they can bring, he has many highly qualified and capable individuals within the department. Given this, he felt there was no need to consider external candidates for this position. With no further questions or comments, the commission thanked Chief Todd, and he exited the meeting. NEW BUSINESS Discuss the Fire Chief's annual evaluation process. Commissioner Hirakami reported he has made significant progress. He took the evaluation template from the last evaluation and converted it to Word. He broke down the six performance components—leadership, communication, strategic planning, resource allocation, safety, and emergency management—into specific indicators, sent a draft to Chief Todd, and set up a meeting with him that lasted an hour. He explained that the process will be similar to that used by the Water Department, involving a self- evaluation by the Fire Chief and a final review by the commission. Commissioner Hirakami proposed that the commission review the draft, discuss it, and amend it as needed at the next meeting. The Fire Chief would then provide his self- evaluation by November, with final evaluations and scores completed by December. Chair Kosaki approved of the process, thanked Commissioner Hirakami for his efforts and decided to keep this matter as unfinished business on the agenda. Commissioner Cushnie inquired whether commissioners could visit fire stations to talk to personnel and gauge communication, as part of the evaluation process. Chair Kosaki responded that while commissioners can visit stations, they cannot directly ask personnel about the chief's performance. Counsel had previously advised that commissioners should not inquire about the chief's performance during station visits. Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes July 25, 2024 Page 12 However, Chair Kosaki noted that personnel often share their views voluntarily, and while he has a personal rapport with them, others might be hesitant to speak freely. Commissioner Cushnie sought clarification from counsel on whether visiting stations to get a general sense of the environment is permissible. DCC Salas-Ferguson mentioned he would need to review previous advice from their office. He noted that the commission is interested in upward feedback—how those under the chief's administration perceive his performance—and stated he would look into this matter further. Commissioner Hirakami expressed support for visiting fire stations to meet with captains and crews, noting that such visits were part of his duties on the Water Board and he found them valuable. Chair Kosaki agreed and encouraged commissioners to visit stations, emphasizing that past Fire Commissioners would visit to discuss operations and needs without specifically asking about the chief. He suggested commissioners introduce themselves and seek feedback on the work environment, training, equipment, etc. Hirakami expressed discomfort with unannounced visits and preferred to arrange them through the secretary. Chair Kosaki suggested that the chief's secretary could handle the arrangements. Commissioner Magsalin added that during EMS Week, she contacted the station in her district, asked for the captain, and obtained a headcount of personnel on duty. She then brought lunch for the team. Additionally, during longan season from her farm, she packages the fruit and delivers it to the station with a card. The personnel have always been pleasant and welcoming. She also encouraged attending volunteer meetings as another way to gain insight into station operations. Commissioner Perrin inquired about the process for arranging a station visit. He was advised that contacting the chief's secretary to make the arrangements would be a good first step. Commissioner Luke suggested shadowing the chief to better understand the operational flow and observe his commitment to transparency and clear communication. ANNOUNCEMENTS Chair Kosaki announced the commission's next monthly meeting is scheduled for August 22, 2024, at 9:00 a.m., at the West Hawai'i Civic Center, Building A, Council Chambers, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Kailua-Kona, HI. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 11:55 a.m. SUBMITTED BY: CHARISSE CORREA, SECRETARY APPROVED BY: CARLENE WOLF, VICE CHAIR