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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-11-04COUNTY OF HAWAII FIRE COMMISSION FIRE CHIEF’S REPORT February 11, 2004 F-1 attending National Fire Academy. F-2 at Unit 11 Management Caucus on Oahu. Budget • Finance Department authorized us to move Kalaoa fire station and KMC station personnel from our supplemental budget to our regular program budget. Included are: • Kalaoa: 9 firefighters, 3 FEOs, 3 Captains, and start-up costs (includes fire truck). Total: $1,290,313. • KMC: 9 firefighters, 3 FEOs, 3 Captains, and start-up costs. Total: $1,176,796. • We also received approval to utilize funds designed as a County match ($127,380) for our FEMA Fire Act Grant application to purchase SCBAs. This amount was budgeted for in our FY 2003-04 budget. The remaining portion of $97,220 will be included in our supplemental budget for FY 2004-05. All departments’ budgets now move forward to the Mayor for review. Thank you to Commissioners Bowles and Hart for their presentation to the Mayor in support of our supplemental budget. Alternative Funding and Grants • Three fire service personnel (Captain Albert Kaaihili, FF Keola Payao,a nd FF Michael Hayashida) have been selected, based on their interest, to attend an upcoming FEMA Fire Act Grant workshop on Oahu on February 20, 2004. They will be our grantwriters for this year’s submittal once the U.S. Fire Administration announces that the application period is open for submittal (in March). • ODP Grant: Funding has been approved for HazMat and Urban Search and Rescue equipment under the 2003 Office of Domestic Preparedness (ODP) grant. Biggest cost items is the Hazardous Materials Response vehicle, which is expected to cost $425,000. Vehicle is earmarked for Kalaoa Fire Station. Capital Improvement Projects • Puna Public Safety Complex: Still in negotiations with Shipman. • Ogasawara Property Update: Continuing negotiations with Ogasawara. Trying to iron out details regarding the property. Promotions and Hiring • 30th Recruit Class tentatively scheduled to begin on March 16, 2004, with a class of 20 fire fighter recruits, who have accepted conditional offers of employment. Presently in the process of conducting medical screenings on these prospective hires. • A second hire from the same list will be made, with a tentative class size of 14-20, based on the recommendations of the interview panel. This class is targeted to begin in August 2004. • FEO and Fire Captains written examinations completed. • Fire Rescue Specialist interviews completed. Promotional process under review. • Following dispatcher interviews on January 22-24, one dispatcher selected. Recently we had one resignation. Reviewing list for additional hire. • Just completed Fire Mechanic interviews on February 5 for two mechanic positions. Projected hire is March 2004. Operations Division • Hawaii Air Ambulance aircraft accident. • RMS Update: Ongoing committee meetings being conducted to update and detail our NRIRS guidebook. This will reduce or eliminate confusion or questions. Training scheduled for AFCs and Acting AFCs on February 24 and 27 focusing on their duties as reviewing officers. As reported last month, our first export of data (October to December 2003) was successfully completed with 100% of incidents included. This officially places us in compliance with NFIRS mandates. Prevention Division • Update on Hawaiian Paradise Park fire that occurred January 14, 2004: Fire Inspector’s investigative reports turned over to the police, who are continuing their investigation. • Fire Inspector Jack Pacleb recently returned from the NFA, where he attended a two- week course on the Principles of Fire Protection-Structures and Systems. Training Division • Status of 28th Recruit Class: Presently in the first 3-month rotation at the stations. At this time, most are getting their 40-hours driving time at the stations and will be road tested. They are also receiving their National Registry recognition for EMT and will now be able to take calls and write Ambulance Report Forms. They are doing well. • Driver Competency Training Program Update: Trained 14 auditors who have their assignments. As we speak, they are auditing all full-time personnel. All line personnel should be completed within next few weeks. • FRS Scott Crozier attended a Collapse Structure Training and 36-Hour Field Exercise with the 93rd WMD CST sponsored by State Civil Defense on January 5-9, 2004. • Captain Quince Mento attended the National Fire Academy: Command and Control of Fire Department Operations at Natural and Manmade Disasters from January 19- 30, 2004. • FEO Gerald Kosaki attended the National Fire Academy: Hazardous Materials Operating Site Practices course from January 19-30, 2004. Volunteer Division • In the third weekend of driver training class for volunteers. Do not see any hitches. Starting to look at program that will include recognition of some of their hours driven in the past toward certification. They will be certified same as our full time personnel. After next weekend, about 40 volunteers will have been put through the classroom portion of the driver training program. • The next Volunteer Fire Chief’s meeting will be hosted by Fire Administration and be held sometime in April. Commissioners will be informed once date is confirmed. EMS Division • 29th Recruit Class in their first month of EMT Basic training. Instructors are following their progress weekly, and they are doing okay. Fire Auxiliary Services • New Projects/Business • Have not received confirmation from Councilman Elarionoff on his Character First presentation for the March Fire Commission meeting. • County is embarking on a new computer system called FRESH (Fiscal and Resource Enterprise System for Hawaii County), which will change fiscal and personnel management for all departments. Implementation meetings are underway. Target date for start-up of the core financial module (Purchasing and Accounts Payable invoicing) is mid 2004. • With the start of the 2004 State Legislature, tracking bills that may impact our department. Key bills that we have provided testimony for are: • Senate Bill 2136, which establishes a Statewide Firefighting Training Academy on the Big Island. This bill was sparked by Councilmembers. Although the bill’s introduction may be premature (no designated sites, facilities), it opens the door to begin discussions on this project. • Senate Bill 2399, relating to the funding of an emergency ambulance services in the Ocean View community. Battalion Chief Paul Paiva provided testimony in support of this legislation before Committee on Health on February 10. • Planning underway for our 2nd Annual Employee Recognition and Awards dinner for April 3, 2004, at the Royal Kona Resort. Invitations will be mailed to Fire Commissioners soon. • FASO Assessment Center by BC Matsui. Public Relations • Note: BC Matsui needs to excuse himself prior to 1130 to attend Planning for the Big Island meeting in the Mayor’s office.