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Home My WebLink About07-14-04COUNTY OF HAWAII FIRE COMMISSION FIRE CHIEF’S REPORT July 14, 2004 Budget • Fiscal Year 2004/05 Budget became effective on July 1st without Mayor Kim’s signature. We will be working with Civil Service and Finance Department on our new positions. • Cost update of financial reorganization (flow chart w/ money) Alternative Funding and Grants • SAFER Grant: Update on SAFER Grant, which will fund staffing for additional firefighters): The U.S. House of Representatives added $50 million to fund the grant. The U.S. Senate version of the bill currently provides no funding for this Act. The House bill now proceeds to the full Senate for debate and approval. • Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (FIRE Act): U.S. Senate released the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Bill for FY 2005, funding the FIRE Act grant program at $700 million. This reduces funding by nearly $50 million from last year’s appropriation of $750 million, however, it is a significant increase over the $600 million funding level provided in the House bill. The reduced funding for the FIRE Act and the lack of funding for SAFER contained in the Senate bill are another indication of the significant budget pressures facing Congress. Fortunately, the Senate bill funds the FIRE Act by $100 more than the House bill. It is likely, when the two houses seek to reconcile the bills, that the FIRE Act will be funded somewhere between these two amounts. • Tax Exempt Grant Bonds: Capital Improvement Projects • Puna Public Safety Complex: No new updates. • Pahoa Fire Station: On June 18, 2004, provided testimony before the Board of Land and Natural Resources hearing on the Pahoa property “set aside” for acquisition of land from State. The Board subsequently approved the right of access. Captain AhYo continues to work with all involved agencies to ensure process guidelines and timetables are met. Working with Building Division to identify consultant. • Fire Administration: Captain Ah Yo researching two priority sites: Komohana/Mohouli and Komohana/Kumukoa. Trying to identify infrastructure needs. Will provide further details at next month ’s meeting. Promotions and Hiring • 31st Fire Fighter Recruit Class: 18 candidates have accepted formal offers of employment. Medical screening continuing for remaining 2 applicants. Family Orientation scheduled for July 23 from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Aupuni Conference Center. • Dispatcher: Will be conducting interviews on July 15 to fill one vacancy left by resignation. Operations Division • Chopper Crash: 7-8-04, Paauilo between Waikaalulu and Kukuipapa Road, in open land. Six patients; transported to North Hawaii Community Hospital; stable condition. Seven of our units responded. • Barge Incident: 7-4-04, Pier 3, Kuhio Wharf. Pump on fire near bow of barge. 8 of our units responded. Barge PIA mtg held 7-8-04 with Tesoro, State Harbors, Civil Defense & our personnel. • Wildland Fire Pre-Planning Meeting: Held on 7-13-04 (fire, police, Civil Defense, Public Works, PTA, State Forestry), re: brush fire season. • Hawaii Army National Guard Activation: Additional three of our personnel may be deployed. One of them, Kilipaki Kanae (30th Recruit Class), has already received his orders. Presently have five personnel serving on active military duty. • CERT: Community Emergency Response Team. Involves the training and equipping of community volunteers to provide for disaster response and mitigations through a coordinated process. FF Keola Payao volunteered to represent our department as CERT Program Coordinator. Presenting seeking anyone interested in becoming a CERT instructor. • Stations by Districts Listing: As requested by Commissioner Whitney, a listing of Fire Stations (including volunteer stations) by districts disseminated to all Commissioners at today’s meeting. Prevention Division • 4th of July Stats: Issued 42 fireworks permits and 5 public display permits. Over the holiday weekend, responded to six fires that were determined to be fireworks related. • Hilo Prevention Office: Inspector Jack Pacleb relocated to Fire Admin office to provide more effective and efficient customer service. Training Division • Status of 30th Recruit Class: Presently in EMT Training, which began on July 6. • Status of 29th Recruit Class: Thanks to Commissioners who attended graduation ceremonies on June 18. The class is presently in stations, working on obtaining driver training hours to qualify them to pass probation in September. • Driver Competency Training Program Update: Of the 271 drivers, a total of 260 audits have been completed to date . Volunteer Division • 25% to 30% completed with classroom portion of driver training program. • Volunteer Fire Chief’s Meeting on August 14 at Pahala. EMS Division • MICT Class: Third MICT Mentoring training on review of diabetes and stroke being held today (July 14). Being conducted by Victor Salis. Fire Auxiliary Services • EPA Clean-Up Project: Assisting EPA with clean-up and removal of hazardous and contaminated soil at Ponahawai/Kamehameha. Supplying them with equipment to assist in clean-up. New Projects/Business Senate Bill 2690 (Act 158): Signed by Governor Lingle on July 1, 2004. Presently working with the Gerald and Janet Carrus Foundation, Ocean View Community, Department of Health, and Senator Kokubun. Acknowledgement of Senator Kokubun & staff for their support and lobbying of measure. • Citizen Awards Program: Continuing to work with Corporation Counsel to finalize program guidelines. • Unauthorized Burn Issue: Partnership with media to educate public on law and restrictions. • Kukio: Meeting on 7-12-04. Partners in project will confer to confirm financial feasibility of fire station and support facility project before bringing before the County. Location is at Crossroads to entrance of Four Seasons. • Change in Duty Uniform: Sample, practical work uniform presented to the Mayor on behalf of the members. He was supportive. • Volcano Fire Apparatus: Team of personnel working on specifications for apparatus. Public Relations • Puainako Express: Will be held on August 7, 2004, coordinated by the East Hawaii Coalition for the Homeless, and supported by County departments (Fire, Public Works.). 10K run and 5K walk. Event begins at 0700. • World Sprints (August 9 to 15): In preparation for upcoming World Sprints, actively involved in planning process. • 4th of July Pool Splash at NAS: Coordinated by Captain Clint Coloma. Second annual event drew many employees, families and children. Enjoyed by all. • American Cancer Society Relay for Life: Waimea personnel participated in 1st annual event at Waimea ballpark on July 10/11. On-site fundraising held by selling steak fry plate lunches. All 300 plates sold out; raised over $1,000. Additionally, beef stew, won ton and popcorn given away at their campsite. About 20 employees and their families participated in event. Still tallying up monetary donations to American Cancer Society. Event coordinated by Bill Bergin and Merv Abe. Hilo Event: Will be participating in Hilo event at Wong Stadium this weekend (July 17/18) from 1800 to 0600. Invite Commissioners to attend.