HomeMy WebLinkAbout03 FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT FY 24-25 SEPTEMBER
2024 | SEPTEMBER FISCAL YEAR 24-25
FIRE CHIEF’S REPORT
HAWAI’I FIRE DEPARTMENT 25 AUPUNI ST., SUITE 2501 HILO, HAWAI’I 96720 FIRE@HAWAIICOUNTY.GOV
Admin Div: Fiscal Branch Report .............................................................................................................. 3
Program Budget Goals ....................................................................................................................... 3
Budget ...................................................................................................................................................... 3
Grants ....................................................................................................................................................... 3
Admin Div: HR Branch Report .................................................................................................................. 4
Program Budget Goals ....................................................................................................................... 4
Internal Recruitment within Department ..................................................................................... 4
Open-Competitive Recruitment ..................................................................................................... 4
Operations ....................................................................................................................................................... 5 Emergency Operations ........................................................................................................................... 5 Emergency Operations Highlights ..................................................................................................... 6
Battalion 1, East Hawaiʻi ..................................................................................................................... 6
Battalion 2, West Hawaiʻi .................................................................................................................. 6 Special Operations ................................................................................................................................... 6
Support Services ............................................................................................................................................ 8 Emergency Medical Services Branch ................................................................................................. 8 Training Services Branch ........................................................................................................................ 9 Volunteer Training Section ................................................................................................................. 10 Fire Prevention Branch .......................................................................................................................... 11 Logistics, Emergency Communications, and Vehicle Maintenance Section ..................... 13
Emergency Communications ......................................................................................................... 13
Information Technology Highlights ............................................................................................ 13
Safety Specialist Report ............................................................................................................................ 13
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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ADMIN DIV: FISCAL BRANCH REPORT
Program Budget Goals September YTD Goal
Invoice Settlement within 30 days 92.9% 93.91% 90%
Pay-out of CILV’s within 90 days 100% 100% 95%
Dollar value of grants applied for $22,433,000 $22,433,000 $5,000,000
Dollar value of grants received $ 488,722.63 $ 488,722.63 $5,000,000
Budget Category Adj Appropriation YTD Expenditures % Used Goal
Fire S&W 40,078,922.00 11,023,900.82 27.51 29.17
6221-6225 OCE 6,661,560.96 2,389,018.19 35.86 25.00
Equipment 3,362,507.61 1,402,559.86 41.71 25.00
Grants & Misc S&W 257,161.00 257,161.00 100.00 29.17
6226 OCE 1,105,012.00 10,119.51 0.92 25.00
Equipment 659,560.45 417,324.74 63.27 25.00
EMS S&W 15,630,607.00 4,233,764.98 27.09 29.17
6227 OCE 2,889,425.33 610,307.91 21.12 25.00
Equipment 3,220,637.02 1,857,708.42 57.68 25.00
Ocean Safety S&W 5,437,913.00 1,257,918.60 23.13 29.17
6228 OCE 327,305.82 219,631.63 67.10 25.00
Equipment 462,905.32 213,518.16 46.13 25.00
Total Budget 80,093,517.51 23,829,737.95 29.83
Grants Update
2023 CDBG The bid was awarded to Orchid Isle Ford for three (3) Brush Trucks $625,693. Delivery pending
CDBG- MIT Wildfire Mitigation The Planning Department is tasked with acquiring this equipment.
FY 2021 AFG We are procuring items for the Fire Base Station Refresh Project. The grant is 100% obligated as of 9/30/24.
FY 2023 AFG
Awarded $488,722.63 to establish a Hazard Zone (IDLH) Incident Command and a Control Training Program to provide safe, effective, and efficient HFD emergency response Operations. Chief Springer is the project manager.
FY 22 USDA Volunteer Fire Capacity Project The bid for one brush truck for volunteer station 20A awarded, pending delivery by the end of the calendar year.
FY 23 USDA Volunteer Fire Capacity Project The bid was awarded to Orchid Isle Ford for two (2) Brush Trucks $411,097. Delivery pending
Kohanaiki Lifeguard Tower (Fair Share funds) Delivery expected at the end of the year.
Leleiwi Lifeguard Tower (Fair Share Funds) Requisition with specs submitted to Purchasing. Bid came in higher than expected at $54,785.
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ADMIN DIV: HR BRANCH REPORT
Program Budget Goals September YTD GOAL
Process actions within 15 working days 105 688 100%
Recruitment Actions < 30days 5 36 90% Promotion Actions < 30days 11 49 100%
Personnel Actions within 30 days, <10% error 65 532 90%
Internal Recruitment within Department
Position Status Report
Battalion Chief (Fire Prevention Branch) Submitted request for an internal recruitment within the department.
Fire/EMS Specialist I
Fire Fighter Francis Blas III, Fire Fighter Tobe Kailimai, Fire Fighter Caleb Laa, Fire Fighter Imiola Lindsey, Fire Fighter Garrett Nicolaisen, Fire Fighter Michael Presiados, Fire Fighter Mitchel Shintani reallocation effective September 16, 2024
Fire/Hazardous Materials Specialist Pending interview/Assessment Center schedule.
Fire Rescue Specialist Fire Fighter Keenan Parker temp promotion effective October 16, 2024 NTE April 14, 2025.
Supervising Fire Communications Officer
Submitted Request to Fill to DHR. Pending recruitment dates.
Open-Competitive Recruitment
Position Status Report
Professional Trainee I Hired Isabelle Faagata effective October 1, 2024.
Fire Fighter Recruit (Temp) Recruitment opened on September 15, 2024 and closed on September 24, 2024. Pending referred names.
Fire/EMS Recruit Recruitment opened on September 22, 2024 and closed on October 1, 2024. Pending referred names.
Fire Maintenance Worker
Submitted Request to Fill to DHR. Recruitment opened on September 22, 2024 and closed on October 1, 2024. Pending referred names.
Account Clerk (Temp) DHR referred three candidates. Interviews scheduled on October 24, 2024.
Clerk III (Auxiliary Service Branch) Submitted Request to Fill to DHR. DHR referred five candidates. Interviews scheduled for October 4, 2024.
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OPERATIONS
Emergency Operations
Total Calls for Calendar Year 2024 September % YTD %
Fire 56 2% 657 3%
Overpressure, Rupture, Explosion- no fire 0 0% 5 0%
Rescue and EMS 1854 73% 17166 66%
Hazardous Cond. (no fire) 13 1% 154 1%
Service Call 198 8% 1549 6%
Good Intent calls 374 15% 3453 13%
False Alarm / False calls 36 1% 320 1%
Severe Weather 2 0% 2656 10%
Special Incident Type 4 0% 30 0%
Other (not completed yet) 4 0% 4 0%
Totals 2,541 100% 25,994 100%
Response Times CY 2024
Statistic Sept. % that meet.… YTD % that meet...
Avg. Turn out time (Fire) 3:56 (80 sec.) 14.55% 2:57 (80 sec.) 13.06%
Avg. Turn out time (EMS) 2:29 (60 sec.) 15.24% 2:21 (60 sec.) 15.45%
Statistic Sept. % that meet 6 min. YTD % that meet 6 min
Avg. Response Time (Fire) 12:20 12.50% 11:08 12.29%
Avg. Response Time (EMS) 9:06 21.34% 9:10 19.45%
Fire Impacts CY 2024
Call Type September YTD
Wildland calls (140, 141, 142, 143) 6 126
Acres burned 7 295
Structure Fires (110 & 111) 2 46
Property and Contents - Loss $1,307,500.00 $5,032,816.00
Property and Contents - Save $700,000.00 $4,156,000.00
Other fires (all other 100 series) 48 487
Property and Contents - Loss $4,000.00 $1,837,602.00
Property and Contents - Save $2.00 $40,102.00
Year 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 (est.)
Total Calls 26,869 25,015 27,398 29,594 30,738 31,135
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Emergency Operations Highlights
Battalion 1, East Hawaiʻi
• 9/9, Inc#21653, Search: Pauka’a/District 1, Missing body spotted in ocean, 72
hours search called off, not recovered.
• 9/17, Inc#22316, Search: Boiling Pots/District 4, Missing swimmer, one body
recovered 2 days later.
• 9/22, Inc#22679, Rescue: Pauka’a/District 1, Missing person found deceased
down embankment by HPD. HFD responded for extraction, one deceased
recovered. No other injuries reported.
• 9/26, Inc#22984, Diesel Tanker Fire: Laupahoehoe/District 17, Commercial diesel
tanker on fire, extinguished with no injuries or fatalities.
Battalion 2, West Hawaiʻi
• 9/13, Inc# 21998; Structure Fire: Hua’ai St. 1700sq. ft residence, fully engulfed.
Two occupants self-extricated prior to arrival. Total loss, no injuries or deaths.
Special Operations
Haz-Mat
• 5 personnel attended the Hazmat Continuing Challenge in Sacramento, CA. from
Sept 3-6.
• IFB for new Hazmat 4, opened and closed in September, award recommendation
submitted to Purchasing. Awaiting final award to winning bidder.
• Currently working on Specs for new Engine 21
Ocean Safety
• IFB for Punalu`u WSO III pickup closed and awarded
• IFB for replacement Leleiwi Tower closed and award recommendation submitted
• SKI-2 participated in USCG SAREX on Sept. 10 & 12
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• New E&E proposal for Ocean Safety recruitments sent to HGEA for review and
comment. Once approved and finalized we will commence with new recruitments
for WSO V, WSO IV, and WSO III’s.
• New WSO I hires to follow the above recruitments.
Rescue
• USCG SAREX completed on September 10 & 12. Show & Tell on one day, and full
scale exercise on the second. Co.7, C-2, BC2, and SKI
• Radon Fuel Tank replacement completed. Vessel is now operable.
• Various equipment items funded through Sayre Foundation Fundraiser. Awaiting
purchases
Incident heat map and YTD stats for September 2024 Link for Station Call Volume Breakdown
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SUPPORT SERVICES
Emergency Medical Services Branch Successful Transition to EMS Online Ordering The first month using the EMS e-commerce online ordering system went well. Thank you everyone for your assistance with this ordering process transition. Collaboration with Training Branch EMS Branch personnel assisted the Training Branch with both CPR and Stop the Bleed Training for our 53rd firefighter recruit class. Participation in Global Threat Meeting On September 11, 2024, EMS Branch personnel participated in a Hawaiʻi State Fusion Center Global Threat Meeting. This briefing was led by the National Counter Terrorism Center (NCTC) and was sponsored by the HSFC. It went over global terrorism threats, mainly out of the Middle East, which has effects nationwide. The declassified but private information mainly consisted of potential threats to national security. Community Health Resource Fair Participation On September 28, 2024, EMS Branch personnel participated in the Kona Community Health Resource Fair. This event was held at the Kona Hongwanji and personnel provided valuable information to the community regarding our HFD outreach services. Coordination of Mandatory Ambulance Audits The EMS Branch has been in multiple meetings with the State Department of Health coordinating the mandatory ambulance audits that will be taking place October 7-11, 2024. EMS Recruitment Presentation EMS Branch personnel and FMS II S. Uyetake traveled to Honolulu to give a presentation about the Hawaiʻi County Fire Department to the current EMT class. This annual presentation is part of our EMS recruitment efforts. Paramedic Class Certification Completion The Fall 2024 paramedic class students have just completed their American Heart Association Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support certifications. Pulsara In-Service Training Completed We have completed the Pulsara in-service training for all affected medic stations in the Hilo Benioff Medical Center catchment area. This pilot program will commence on October 1, 2024. New Ambulance Units Expected Completion The four new ambulance units that were awarded to Braun Northwest in FY 23-24 is still
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on target to be completed in January 2025. These four new ambulance units will be assigned to the stations listed below:
• Central Fire Station
• Keauhou Fire Station
• Waikoloa Fire Station
• Ocean View Estates Fire Station New Ambulance Fabrication Awarded Braun Northwest has been awarded the ambulance fabrication for FY 24-25. These four new ambulance units will be assigned to the stations listed below:
• Kailua Fire Station
• Keaau Fire Station
• Pahoa Fire Station
• Hawaiian Paradise Park Fire Station Preparation for Base Station Meeting EMS Branch personnel have been working with the Queens North Hawaiʻi Community Hospital personnel in preparation for the upcoming base station meeting set for October 15, 2024. This base station meeting is set to begin at 11:00 and will feature guest speakers listed below:
• Dr. Matthew Koenig MD, FNCS and Cara McCoy
o They will be speaking about Pulsara and reviewing several case studies
• Rico Witt
o Drug intelligence officer from the Hawaii High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Division
o He will be speaking about Fentanyl and opioids in Hawaii
Training Services Branch
HAZMAT Training The State Department of Health Hazardous Evaluation and Emergency Response (HEER) Office hosted a 1-day training for Battalions 1 and 2 Hazmat companies. The training was focused on HAZMAT basic sampling and utilizing the HAZCAT Chemical Identification systems. A total of 30 personnel attended this training. Crisis Intervention Course at Haihai Fire Department The Hawai‘i Fire Department offered a three (3) day Individual and Group Crisis Intervention (GRIN) course at Haihai Fire Department Training classroom. Crisis intervention is sometimes called "emotional first aid." The course is designed to present the core elements of a comprehensive, systematic, and multi-component crisis intervention curriculum. The course prepared participants to understand a wide range of crisis intervention services for both the individual and for groups. Participants gained the knowledge and tools to provide group crisis interventions, specifically demobilizations, defusing, and the Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD). Personnel from HPD, Civil Defense, and other County departments also attended. CPR and Stop the Bleed Training for 53rd Recruit Class The 53rd Recruit Class completed CPR certification and a one-day class on "stop the bleed" designed for traumatic injuries associated with active shooter incidents. Benioff Medical Center Trauma Coordinator Daniel Scott was the guest instructor.
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9/11 Memorial Workout Chief Volpe joined the 53rd Recruit Class and HPD Recruits in a memorial workout commemorating 23 years since 9/11/01, where 343 firefighters, 72 police officers, and more than 2,000 civilians died.
Career Day Presentation for Panaewa Tutu and Me Preschool The Training Branch participated in a career day presentation for the Panaewa Tutu and Me traveling preschool held on September 25th.
Volunteer Training Section
6-B (Kona Paradise) One personnel from Co. 6B responded to a small brush fire in Ocean View. 7-B (Kalaoa) Volunteer Company 7B responded to 2 structure fire calls, 2 fire alarm calls, and 1 rubbish fire call. They conducted training focusing on fire ground command and communication, driver training, water supply, and hose lays for exterior structure firefighting. 8-A (Pa’auilo) Volunteer Company 8A did driver training and vehicle maintenance. They also did training on Vector Solutions. 9-B (Kanehoa) Volunteer Company 9B held two trainings on their own: one on fast attack forward hose lays for runaway brush fires, and a second training on the re-deployment of hoses and apparatus in a runaway brush fire. 9B also spent time on apparatus maintenance and repairs. 16-B (Pu’uanahulu) Volunteer Company 16B had 35 volunteer hours, including clearing of brush from a fuel break, vehicle maintenance, and vehicle repairs.
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Fire Prevention Branch
The Fire Prevention branch has welcomed our new Fire Prevention Clerk III Jordyn Carter who will be working out of Hilo in the administration office.
Fire Investigations Our current fire inspectors are conducting business inspections on a rotating calendar schedule. Currently for this month in District 3 and 7, utilizing EPR Fireworks and adding properties as inspections are completed. TA inspector A.Moniz has been diligently working with the prevention branch to learn the current codes and the basis of inspections through EPR Fireworks and has been actively involved with Improvements in Fireworks regarding property buildouts. Sept.16th: Dist.15- Takata store was purchased by KTA super stores and required a store-wide liquor inspection conducted by our Inspectors.
Community Outreach, Events & Social Media Sept. 13th: Chief Henderson and Inspector Requelman attended an annual sit down with the seniors of Alu Like in Keaukaha. Sept.19th: Inspector Requelman participated with Stn.1 Central personnel for a career presentation at Youth Challenge. Sept 27th: Inspector T. Goo accompanied Chief Todd to meet Governor Josh Green for the declaration of Fire Prevention Month of October. HWMO has been working with the Prevention branch on developing short video clips of Fire prevention and wildfire tips to promote for the month of October: Fire Prevention Month.
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Approximately 38 videos through social media have been posted throughout YouTube, Facebook and Instagram including Fire Academy Episode 3, Chief Volpe’s Promotional Ceremony, 9/11 Workout Tribute with HPD to name a few.
Plan Review / Active Construction All plans in both digital and paper construction plans have been reviewed and completed within the maximum turnaround period for the month of September. Multiple Commercial Construction testing in both East and West Hawaii with new and updated buildings with Fire suppression systems have kept Inspector II’s on the road throughout the month of September. Sept. 13, 17 &18th: Hale Na Koa Senior Housing in District 3: All East Branch Inspectors Participated in Fire Alarm testing, Fire Sprinkler Acceptance testing and final acceptance testing of the overall multi-building complex over a 3-day work period. Sept. 20th: Inspectors along with FF Nakata assisted with a new acceptance Fire Alarm testing in Walmart Hilo. Fire Investigations / UAS Pilot Program Fire Inspectors and TA personnel are working on Fire Investigation training. Current online classes are offered for anyone interested in learning more via CFItrainer.net. UAS Response: Sept.17-19 Prevention assisted and integrated Unmanned aircraft systems at the Boiling Pots S&R for the three search days. UAS provided a live feed to the incident commander of the incident, overwatch of rescue personnel conducting surface searching and diving, monitoring water levels upriver and low surface searching throughout Wailuku River. A total of 33 flights with 19 hours and 11 minutes of flight time were conducted throughout the search days.
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Logistics, Emergency Communications, and Vehicle
Maintenance Section
• Water filling stations are being installed at various stations. • Fire ordering site for September
o 349 customers
o 61 orders for the month of September
o Approximate gross order sales, 13.7k of products • The new Engine 14 is in transit and should be on island shortly • Interview for vacant Clerk position is in scheduled with one applicant • Apparatus and equipment repair
o One hundred and seventy-four (174) total repairs/service.
o Twenty-three (23) service calls or trouble calls.
o Eleven (11) contracted out and tows
Emergency Communications • The HCECC project has been making progress towards completion. We are looking forward to getting the keys to the building in the near future, along with the certificate of occupancy. • Students from the HCC Fire Science program visited the FCCC and were able to participate in a presentation about Fire Communications operations. • Chief Domingo and Capt. Kaneshiro attended a meeting to hear about options for bettering our ability to notify volunteers for calls in their district. • Chief Domingo and Capt. Kaneshiro attended a meeting to see the new mapping system updates for our call taking equipment. Information Technology Highlights • MDT Installed for HR07 and X21. • FirstNet SIM installed for HM21 MDT. • HM21 MDT Hazmat software updates for report year 2023 Tier II data. • Meetings and site visits for Joint Communications Center. Tentative occupancy date now beginning of November. Dispatch operational date TBD. • EPR FireWorks inspection updates – Occupancy Types added, Basic Inspection created, printable report option added for all violations regardless of OK, Not OK, or N/A status.
SAFETY SPECIALIST REPORT
Reoccupation of Waiakea Station and Mold Awareness Following successful mold remediation and air quality testing, personnel reoccupied Waiakea Station on 9/20/24. Repairs to the facility are still ongoing, and staff are reminded to report any lingering concerns. Medical evaluations for personnel previously exposed to mold remain available through the County Physician, with associated costs being covered by HFD as needed. As part of ongoing efforts to raise awareness the Mold Awareness video, is now accessible via Target Solutions.
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Cancer Screening Initiative Cancer screening remains a high priority for the department, with ongoing discussions with GRAIL, the company utilized by Honolulu FD. We are actively exploring grant opportunities and other funding sources to support this critical initiative. Respiratory Protection Program Updates The Respiratory Protection Program continues to evolve with the addition of a centralized SharePoint folder containing updated forms and resources. We are working on re-establishing FireGrid, a software program for better tracking of equipment maintenance. A proposal for the creation of a “Respiratory Equipment Compliance Technician” role has been drafted for considerations for the upcoming budget cycle. October Continuity of Operations Exercise The October Continuity of Operations (COOP) exercise has been rescheduled to October 18th, one day after National Great Shakeout Day. This exercise is for Administration and will simulate an earthquake scenario, ensuring department preparedness for large-scale disruptions while relocating to a secondary location. Incident/Accident and Vehicle/Property Damage Reports Lastly, one new Incident/Accident and two Vehicle/Property Damage reports were received for September, signaling continued vigilance and safety across the department. As always, feedback and inquiries from personnel are welcome. Thank you for your commitment to safety.
END REPORT