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Home My WebLink About05-12-04COUNTY OF HAWAII FIRE COMMISSION FIRE CHIEF’S REPORT May 12, 2004 Budget • Mayor Kim included three Dispatcher III positions in his submittal to County Council for FY 2004-05 budget. Alternative Funding and Grants • Assistance to Firefighters Grant Peer Review process: Share experience as panel member for grant review process in Emmitsburg, Maryland from 4-12/16-04. • Department of Transportation, Safe Communities Grant: Applied for 50 radio translucent spine boards to equip our medic units. Total cost is $10,000. Funding will be awarded in October 2004. • Rural Development Grant: Provided through Senator Daniel Inouye. Capital Improvement Projects • Puna Public Safety Complex: Discussions continuing for land acquisition. • Pahoa Fire Station: On May 7, 2004, conducted a site visit of an additional State property for replacement Pahoa Fire Station, which is located about ½ mile on the Keaau side of the Pahoa town turn off. • Fire Administration: Obtain feedback from Commissioners on identified sites for future Fire Admin. Promotions and Hiring • Voluntary resignation of Fire Radio Dispatcher Gene Rynkewicz effective April 16, 2004. Working to fill position. • Voluntary resignation of Personnel Clerk Nancy Uchida effective April 30, 2004. She is currently on a two-month contract. Working to fill position. Operations Division • Responded to an aircraft crash incident on April 18, 2004 at the 4,500’ elevation, Hoopuloa Mauka, Ocean View. Eight units assigned to incident. 4-28-04: Attended post incident analysis with Kona Community Hospital personnel. 5-4-04: Meeting with U.S. Coast officials. • Crane Signaling Class: Three rescue personnel attended class sponsored by State Civil Defense on 4- 15-04. Prevention Division • Merrie Monarch festivities went smoothly. Provided medic and prevention coverage to assure a safe and enjoyable event by all. Will meet with Merrie Monarch committee to critique event and work toward improvement at future events. • Plan Review and Inspection of Fire Sprinkler Systems: Five personnel attended this 2-day training on Oahu on April 28 & 29. • Pumps for Fire Protection: Attended by Fire Inspectors in Maui on 5-4-04. Training Division • Status of 30th Recruit Class: For the next three weeks, will be in wildland fire training, followed by first responder, and then lifeguard training. Completing their essentials curriculum, to be followed by final testing and practical skills review and practice. • Status of 29th Recruit Class: Just completed their EMT-I curriculum and are back in the stations for five weeks for clinical rotations. Their graduation is scheduled for June 18, 2004. • Driver Competency Training Program Update: Of the 271 drivers, a total of 250 audits have been completed to date. Volunteer Division • Driver Training Class Update: Driver training completed with certification for 25% of volunteercompanies. About 50% of the remaining companies have completed the classroom portion of the training. EMS Division • MICT Class: Conducted first MICT Mentoring training on review of trauma and patient assessment on May 4, 2004. As stated last month, will begin MICT classes during September 2004. Prior to start of class, plan to have a mentoring program for 16 candidates that will include one-on-one mentoring and tutoring, periodic lesson and skill training, and possible case study review. This will assist candidates prior to and during MICT class. Fire Auxiliary Services • RMS: Aethers representative came to Hilo on May 11/12 to provide support and training for Data Systems and fire personnel. Updated RMS software on May 11 to latest version. New Projects/Business • FRESH: Scheduled to go-live on May 17 on accounts payable portion. • 2004 State Legislature Session update: Senate Bill 2399, relating to the funding of an emergency ambulance services in the Ocean View community, did not make it out of conference committee. However, Senate Bill 2690, which establishes an Emergency Medical Services Special Fund through an increase ($20 to $25) in the vehicle registration fee, is with Governor Lingle awaiting her signature. SB 2690 becomes effective July 1, 2004, provided that amendments to the HRS (increasing fee) takes effect on October 1, 2004. • State Fire Council Quarterly Meeting: April 29/30 on Kauai. • Performance Measurement for Government Conference: Held in San Diego April 26 to 30. Attended by “lead department” representatives in strategic planning (P&R, Finance, Environmental Management, Police and Fire, as well as Jane Larkin). Focused on tying in strategic planning with performance management budgeting. • Position Audits: Conducted for Fire Administration staff. • Solutions 2004 Conference: Held at Waikoloa Beach Mariott on May 1. Emergency Reponse Academy presented a youth mentoring program. Public Relations • Emergency Medical Services Week (May 16 to 22): Reminder of 4th Annual EMS Week 5K Run/2.0 mile walk on May 22 at Liliuokalani Gardens in Hilo. Will be dedicated to the memories of Mandy Shiraki, Danny Villarios, and Ron Laubacher, who lost their lives while flying to the Big Island for a medical transport. We have commissioned a special commemorative T-shirt to honor our fallen brothers. • Mother’s Day Rose Delivery Project: Coordinated by FF Chris Honda. Rose bouquets prepared and delivered by firefighters on May 7 to about 140 mothers from Hakalau to Keaau. Raised approximately $2,000 to $2,500 for American Cancer Society. • Puainako Street Run: Road tentatively scheduled to open in July, however not confirmed.