HomeMy WebLinkAbout08 FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT FY 24-25 FEBRUARY
2025 | FEBRUARY 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 ........................................................................................................................ 8
Volunteer Training Section ................................................................................................................. 10
Fire Prevention Branch .......................................................................................................................... 11
Logistics, Emergency Communications, and Vehicle Maintenance Section ..................... 12
Emergency Communications ......................................................................................................... 13
Information Technology Highlights ............................................................................................ 13
Safety Specialist Report ............................................................................................................................ 13
Facilities Updates ........................................................................................................................................ 14
Snapshots and Stories ............................................................................................................................... 15
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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ADMIN DIV: FISCAL BRANCH REPORT
Program Budget Goals February YTD Goal
Invoice Settlement within 30 days 92% 94% 90%
Pay-out of CILV’s within 90 days 83% 96% 95%
Dollar value of grants applied for $0.00 $22,477,500 $5,000,000
Dollar value of grants received $ 0.00 $ 488,722.63 $5,000,000
Budget Category Adj Appropriation YTD Expenditures % Used Goal
Fire S&W 40,078,922.00 27,589,337.75 68.84 70.83
6221-6225 OCE 6,094,148.96 4,151,823.10 68.13 66.67
Equipment 3,850,919.61 2,794,641.75 72.57 66.67
Grants & Misc S&W 661,520.09 257,161.00 38.87% 70.83
6226 OCE 1,327,882.56 67,106.37 5.05 66.67
Equipment 697,875.20 620,707.51 88.94 66.67
EMS S&W 15,630,607.00 10,080,086.37 64.49 70.83
6227 OCE 2,889,425.33 1,297,530.86 44.91 66.67
Equipment 3,220,637.02 3,113,843.53 96.68 66.67
Ocean Safety S&W 5,483,856.34 3,018,889.04 55.05 70.83
6228 OCE 352,845.49 275,369.57 78.04 66.67
Equipment 522,905.32 316,322.62 60.49 66.67
Total Budget 80,811,544.92 53,625,458.65 66.36
Grants Update
2023 CDBG (3) Brush Trucks $625,693 furnished by Orchid Isle Ford. Delivery pending.
2024 CDBG
Received (1) 2025 Kawasaki Mule Pro-FXT UTV for the Pahala Fire Station. Delivery pending on a trailer and fire pump skid. Office of Housing tasked with acquiring a brush truck for the Puna Volunteer Fire Station.
CDBG- MIT Wildfire Mitigation Reviewing bids for (1) Mobile Command Vehicle, (3) Brush Trucks, and (1) Mobile Service Trailer.
FY 2021 AFG Equipment received for Fire Base Station Refresh Project. The grant is 100% obligated as of 2/28/25.
FY 2023 AFG Grant awarded establishing a Hazard Zone (IDLH) Incident Command and a Control Training Program to provide safe, effective, and efficient HFD emergency response Operations.
FY 23 USDA Volunteer Fire Capacity Project The bid was awarded to Orchid Isle Ford for two (2) Brush Trucks $411,097. Delivery pending
FY 24 USDA Volunteer Fire Capacity Project Supplies and equipment continue to arrive for the Volunteer Operations section.
Kohanaiki Lifeguard Tower (Fair Share funds)
I.D.R. Surveyor Apex lifeguard tower furnished by Newport Laminates. Delivery expected in the second quarter of 2025.
Leleiwi Lifeguard Tower (Fair Share Funds)
Surveyor Junior lifeguard tower furnished by Newport Laminates. Delivery expected in early 2026.
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ADMIN DIV: HR BRANCH REPORT
Program Budget Goals February YTD GOAL
Process actions within 15 working days 29 56 100%
Recruitment Actions < 30 days 16 24 100% Promotion Actions < 30 days 0 1 100%
Personnel Actions within 30 days, <10% error 58 76 100%
Internal Recruitment within Department
Position Status Report
Battalion Chief (Emergency Operations)
Assessment held on 02/05/25; E&E received from DHR. Notified members of ranking scores.
Battalion Chief (Special Operations) Screened applications, two (2) qualified applicants.
Fire/Hazardous Materials Specialist Recruitment opened 02/02/25 and closed on 02/11/25.
Fire Prevention Inspector II
Recruitment opened 02/23/25 and will close on 03/04/25.
Open-Competitive Recruitment
Position Status Report
Program Support Technician Recruitment opened 02/16/25 – 02/25/25.
Fire Fighter Recruit (Temp)
PAE held 02/02/25; applications distributed to qualified individuals with deadline submittal of 02/18/25.
Fire/EMS Recruit PAE held 02/02/25; applications distributed to qualified individuals with deadline submittal of 02/18/25.
Automotive Storekeeper Interviews held. No selection made. Submitted RTF for new open recruitment.
Professional Development Trainee (Grants Specialist)
Non-selection (1 applicant)
Professional Development Trainee (Info and Education Specialist)
Per DHR, no names to refer.
Senior Account Clerk Submitted RTF for 2 open positions.
Human Resources Program Specialist
Reinstatement to permanent position. Submitted RTF for open recruitment. Five (5) names referred to department.
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OPERATIONS
Emergency Operations
Total Calls for Calendar Year 2025 February % YTD %
Fire 95 4% 201 4%
Overpressure, Rupture, Explosion- no fire 0 0% 0 0%
Rescue and EMS 1675 68% 3571 68%
Hazardous Cond. (no fire) 8 0% 38 1%
Service Call 212 9% 443 8%
Good Intent calls 433 18% 931 18%
False Alarm / False calls 27 1% 59 1%
Severe Weather 0 0% 0 0%
Special Incident Type 6 0% 11 0%
Other (not completed yet) 0 0% 0 0%
Totals 2456 100% 5254 100%
Response Times CY 2025
Statistic Feb. % that meet.… YTD % that meet...
Avg. Turn out time (Fire) 2:14 (80 sec.) 17.20% 2:17 (80 sec.) 20.60%
Avg. Turn out time (EMS) 2:04 (60 sec.) 20.32% 2:04 (60 sec.) 19.13%
Statistic Feb. % that meet 6 min. YTD % that meet 6 min
Avg. Response Time (Fire) 9:48 23.16% 10:01 17.19%
Avg. Response Time (EMS) 8:54 21.28% 8:54 20.61%
Fire Impacts CY 2025
Call Type February YTD
Wildland calls (140, 141, 142, 143) 22 44
Acres burned 11 160
Structure Fires (110 & 111) 5 15
Property and Contents - Loss $444,300.00 $1,355,300.00
Property and Contents - Save $230,000.00 $685,600.00
Other fires (all other 100 series) 68 142
Property and Contents - Loss $0.00 $500.00
Property and Contents - Save $0.00 $0.00
Year 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 (est.)
Total Calls 25,015 27,398 29,594 30,738 31,143 31,524
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Emergency Operations Highlights
Battalion 1, East Hawaiʻi
• 1/31, Inc #2730; Rescue: Wailoa St Park/District 1, vehicle in water with
occupants, WSO and F2 in area assisted elderly couple to shore with assistance of
other HFD personnel upon arrival, no significant injuries and no fatalities.
• 2/11, Inc #3716; Structure Fire: Kamanu St/District 10. 50% involved upon arrival
with report of occupant still inside by HPD on SC, HFD personnel did primary
search with negative findings. Person located outside of structure by HPD
personnel. Victim with burns to large percentage of body treated and transported
by M18 personnel. Fire extinguished and overhauled and Prevention personnel
investigated. No other injuries noted and no fatalities.
Battalion 2, West Hawaiʻi
• 2/13, Inc# 3907; Rescue: Boat in Distress Located by C2, escorted back to
Kawaihae harbor. No injuries
• 2/21 Inc# 4537 Structure Fire/Brush Fire: Ocean View Parkway Dist.20, no injuries.
approx. 6.4 acres burned.
• 2/24, Inc# 4833 Rescue: Pebble Beach, Divers in Distress. Two scuba divers in
distress, unable to return to shore due to high surf. Extricated by C2 & rescue
swimmer via Billy Pugh net. No injuries.
Special Operations
Haz-Mat
• Discussions with the 93rd CST for annual Hazmat training exercises have begun.
Training dates set for May 1-9.
• New X-vehicles nearing completion, vendor finalizing up-fitting of accessories.
• Confined Space Training completed on Feb 3-7, (8 personnel)
Ocean Safety
• WSO recruitment update: WSO V & I recruitments have been initiated.
• 1 RWC Operator attended the Operator train the trainer course on Oahu
sponsored by Hawaii Lifeguarding Association (HLA) Feb 24-28.
• Planned discussions with DLNR for Pohoiki Dredging scheduled for 3/13
Rescue
• Confined Space Rescue Training completed on Feb. 3-7 (16 personnel)
• Rescue Boat 2 fuel tank replacement completed and back in service
• Working on IFB for RB7-7 (Radon) repower to Outboards.
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Incident heat map and YTD stats for February 2025 Link for Station Call Volume Breakdown
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SUPPORT SERVICES
Emergency Medical Services Branch EMT Training Progress The 53rd firefighter recruit class has completed the didactic portion of EMT training. They will begin their one-month long clinical rotation on March 3, 2025. Paramedic Internship The paramedic students have begun their first rotation of internship training. Hands-Only CPR Training EMS Branch personnel assisted with Hands-Only CPR training to all 10th grade students at Waiakea High School. First Aid and CPR Class EMS Branch personnel instructed an American Heart Association First Aid and CPR class for our mechanic shop personnel and personnel from DOFAW. Electronic Narcotics Tracking Rollout We have rolled out the Schedule2IT electronic narcotics tracking program to all ambulance stations. This inventory management process is a way to enhance accuracy, streamline operations, and ensure secure and real-time access to inventory data of our controlled drugs. This transition will significantly improve our ability to manage narcotic medications effectively and comply with Hawaiʻi State and Federal regulatory requirements. Fentanyl Task Force Meeting EMS Branch personnel participated in a meeting with the Fentanyl Task Force at the Mayor’s Office to discuss possible programs that could assist with Narcan and Buprenorphine distribution on Hawaiʻi Island. 12-Lead EKG Training FMS III K. Kanae assisted with coordination of a 12 lead EKG class for our paramedic students at the EMS Training Center. Intensive care RN Jay Fincher from the Hilo Benioff Medical Center was the guest instructor. Both our paramedic students and the KCC EMS instructors provided very positive feedback about this training.
Training Services Branch
Confined Space Technician Certification The Hawaii Fire Department certified twenty-five personnel for Confined Space Technician. The Confined Space Rescue Technician (CSRT) course covers concepts and techniques to enable small teams to undertake technical confined space rescues. Both
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individual and team skills are extensively addressed. Topics that are thoroughly covered are hazard, gas detection, extensive loads and forces, building anchors, using pulley systems, use of tripod for entry and evacuation, lowering and hoisting of rescuer and victim, use of stretchers and various stretcher configurations in confined spaces, moving and evacuations from manholes, victim care, building horizontal span, situation analysis, incident management, and various scenarios.
Fire Attack Keystone Evolutions Fire Attack Keystone Evolutions have commenced beginning with Battalion 1. Companies 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 18, and 19 have completed the evolution. Keystone evolutions are currently taking place for Battalion 2. The Fire Attack Keystone Assessment is a needs assessment for a simulated Single-Family Dwelling (SFD) which will help the Hawaii Fire Department evaluate and improve our fire attack operations by focusing on offensive interior fire attack. The goal is to measure our performance in
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critical areas such as suppression times, fire attack techniques, and adherence to safety protocols. The desired outcomes are to set performance standards, identify areas for improvement, ensure firefighter safety, and improve fire ground efficiency. Funeral Service for Chief Rowe Chief Rowe served the Hawaii Fire Department for 29 years until his retirement in 2009. A service was held on Sunday, February 23, with a Pass in Review at Waiakea and past the Central Fire Station on the way to Dodo Mortuary. Raymond “Lana” Kaulana Na Pua O Hawai’i Rowe Jr., 65, of Keaukaha, passed away on Thursday, January 16, 2025, at his residence. Born on November 7, 1959, in Keaukaha, he spent most of his career in Search and Rescue out of the Waiakea station and was one of the first to be recognized by the Sayre Foundation. He was an all-around athlete but an avid volleyball player, where he was chosen for a Junior Olympian team in Colorado and played with local teams, Rapp Center and Haili All Star. He was a devoted father and grandfather.
Volunteer Training Section
6-B (Kona Paradise) Performed online Vector Solutions training during the month of February. 7-B (Kalaoa) Dispatched to one (1) call during February and conducted training on the wildland interface. 8-A (Pa‘auilo) Responded to and assisted with one (1) brush fire and dispatched to two (2) “smell of smoke” calls. Conducted joint training with HFD Company 8 – Honoka‘a on brushfires and relay pumping. Additional activities included driver training and vehicle maintenance. 9-B (Kanehoa) Held two (2) company trainings in February focused on tactics and strategy in wildland firefighting. Also hosted a memorial for Guido Giacometti, founder of the A.O.K. 501(c)(3) that supported 9-B. He will be missed.
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10-D (‘Āinaloa) Responded to one (1) smoke visible call. Attended a Leilani Estates Community Association meeting for a short Q&A regarding volunteer opportunities with the Hawai‘i Fire Department. 16-B (Pu‘uanahulu) Conducted vehicle maintenance and repairs on their brush truck and performed station clean-up. 20-A (HOVE) Dispatched to multiple brush fires, rubbish fires, and structure fires during February. Responded to and assisted in fire suppression operations alongside HFD Company 11 during a structure fire that ignited a large brush fire.
Fire Prevention Branch
Fire Inspections Our current fire inspectors are conducting business inspections in District 1 and District 7 utilizing EPR Fireworks and adding properties as inspections are completed. Community Outreach, Events & Social Media Feb 3: Inspector Requelman and Jordyn Carter with Company 5 participated in Kamehameha Schools Middle School Hawaii Career Day. Feb 7: Inspector Requelman and Jordyn Carter with Company 4 participated in the Hilo High School Career Day. Feb 13: Inspector Requelman, T/A A.Moniz and Jordyn Carter participated in the East Hawaii Career Expo at Edith Kanaka’ole Stadium. Feb 21: Fire Inspector Requelman, T/A Inspector Moniz and our HFD Mechanics attended Waiakea Elementary’s 1st Grade Career Fair Feb 21: Fire Inspectors Ahu and Requelman attended the Chiefess Kapiolani elementary career fair with Central “A” Shift personnel
Volunteer personnel lend a hand with
pushing a stalled vehicle off the
highway
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Feb 26-29: Fire Prevention personnel attended the Hawaii Wildfire Summit at the Outrigger Kona hosted by HWMO covering Fire Prevention topics, considerations, tactics and training with numerous county, state and federal personnel attending. Plan Review / Active Construction All plans in both digital and paper construction plans have been reviewed and completed within the allotted 14 day turnaround period for the month of February. Active construction currently: Dist. 3: UH Hilo Life Science Labs and Fire Alarm Completion Fire Investigations Feb 11: Dist.18 150122 Kamanu Street Incendiary BC Henderson/Capt.Goo Feb 21: Dist. 20 Paradise Parkway Undetermined BC Henderson Feb 23: Dist. 2 East Lanikaula Incendiary BC Henderson Feb 24: Fire Prevention completed and outfitted a response vehicle for Fire Investigations, public events and the UAS program. The unit will be identified as P-1.
Logistics, Emergency Communications, and Vehicle
Maintenance Section
• Support Services Clerk III, Carey-Dawn Shimizu is acclimating well and is learning quickly. • Fire ordering for Shopify
o 384 customers
o 60 orders for the month of February
o Approximate gross order sales, 17K of products • Canopy tent for Station 7 has begun, some fabrication, still planning out final specs • Mechanics Buyuan, Rowland, and Furtado did a great job presenting at Waiākeawaena Elementary School Career Fair • Apparatus and equipment repair
o Two hundred and twenty six (226) total repairs/service.
o Forty-eight (48) service calls or trouble calls.
o Fifteen (15) contracted out and tows
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Emergency Communications • Progress is continuing on the HCECC with the anticipation of moving our Emergency Communications operations at the end of April. • Spillman trainings have continued to work on building response plans for our CAD to alleviate dispatching challenges. • Chief Domingo attended the “911 Goes to Washington” conference in Washington, DC. Along with the Hawaii team, she was able to meet with our state delegates to advocate for Public Safety 911 professionals to be classified as a Protective Service Occupation and to request funding for the anticipation of moving to “NextGen911” upgrades in our current 911 system. Information Technology Highlights • Continued meetings for the Joint Communication Center.
o Inet Fiber was completed, location has now been added to the County network.
o Dispatch CAD computer configurations and quality checks on wiring.
o Video wall PC configuration.
o Targeted go live date in late April. • Continued work on updating GPS settings for units with CradlePoints installed. • Continued work on FireWorks Inventory and Item Check modules. • Fixed E14 MDT power problem. • Work on Power BI reports for roster and vehicles.
SAFETY SPECIALIST REPORT
February was a busy month for the Hawaii Fire Department’s safety initiatives, with advancements in compliance, training, and equipment upgrades. The Safety Committee met on February 19, 2025, tackling ongoing and emerging safety concerns. Incident and Accident Reporting Five incident reports and two accident reports were logged for February as of March 6, 2025, with three additional reports received in mid-February. The 2024 Safety Section Annual Report was approved and distributed via Wellness Wednesday on February 25, 2025, accessible in the Safety Documents section of the internal website. Respiratory Protection Program Annual training is assigned (due March 31, 2025), and a postponed visit to Station #10 for fit-testing data is being rescheduled due to OSHA 300 demands. East-side fit-testing data will be uploaded to MSA FireGrid soon. Environmental and Station Concerns Station #18’s suspected mold (from a leaking AC) and a crew-reported lead concern await Lehua Environmental’s results. A work order is submitted, and prior tests suggest no actionable lead levels. Waiakea Fire Station shows no new leaks, though ceiling tiles are still missing in sections. Central Fire Station’s relocation remains on track for May 1, 2025. Rescue #2’s boat hull has a fuel saturation issue post tank repair which is being closely monitored.
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Training and Development The Hazardous Communications Program training was distributed February 19, 2025, via Vector Solutions. The Safety Specialist will attend the National Fire Academy’s Safety Program Operations course (March 9-14, 2025). Aviation’s Flight Safety & Survival video is in final review, and SMS Manual planning (due May 2027) has started. Equipment and Infrastructure APX radio upgrades are planned via an Assistance to Firefighters Grant, and high-visibility Rescue/Hazmat shirts were referred to the uniform committee. Policy and Compliance The COOP exercise is set for the week of March 23, with design underway. Policy drafts (Return-To-Work, Drug/Alcohol Testing) and an Emergency Contact form are progressing, and OSHA 300A reporting was completed. February reflects HFD’s focus on safety amid challenges in equipment and policy timelines.
FACILITIES UPDATES
Updates and photos provided by Assistant Fire Chief Ian Chadwick. Generator Installed at Kailua Fire Station After waiting nearly three years, Kailua had a portable generator installed at their station. Plymovent Installations Completed The Plymovent drops were completed at the Waiakea and Kaumana Fire Stations. Due to space constraints, personnel at Hawaiian Paradise Park Fire Station declined the installation of a Plymovent drop for Brush Truck 18 (BR18). Temporary Central Fire Station Construction Progress Construction remains on track at the Central Fire Station relocation building with the contractor reporting the project is 71% complete. We are working with Banyan Networks on radio equipment installation, Spectrum for County fiber connection, and Hawaiian Telcom to have Central’s numbers moved to the new location.
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Security Fence at Pepeekeo Volunteer Fire Station A new security fence was recently constructed at the Pepeʻekeo Volunteer Fire Station, thanks to the hard work of the Department of Public Works. Photos courtesy of Carlton and Toni Bello.
Further updates will be provided as facility and equipment enhancements progress.
SNAPSHOTS AND S TORIES
2025 Hawai‘i Wildfire Summit More than 300 wildfire professionals, community leaders, and experts from across the state gathered at the Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa on February 27–28 for the Hawai‘i Wildfire Summit. Hosted by Hawaii Fire Department and HWMO, the event provided a valuable space to share knowledge, strengthen partnerships, and advance strategies for wildfire resilience across the Islands. Attendees contributed insights and collaborated on practical solutions to help protect Hawai‘i’s communities and natural landscapes.
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Farewell to Ray Miyaji With heavy hearts, we share the passing of Ray Miyaji, Senior Account Clerk, who dedicated 35 years of service to the Hawai‘i Fire Department. Ray passed away on February 28. Known for his quiet dedication, attention to detail, and endless supply of fruit, Ray played an essential role in ensuring everyone was paid. He will be deeply missed. A service for Ray will be held on Saturday, May 3, 1600 hrs, at Dodo Mortuary in Hilo.
E14 Naming Ceremony On February 7, a naming ceremony for the new Engine 14 was held at the South Kohala Fire Station. The engine, donated by the Daniel R. Sayre Memorial Foundation, was named ʻAuwaiakeakua by Kōmike Hawaiʻi, and refers to a waterway that originates on the slopes of Mauna Kea and flows makai through Waimea and Waikoloa, eventually finding the ocean at the shores of Puakō.
END REPORT