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Home My WebLink About10-13-04COUNTY OF HAWAII FIRE COMMISSION FIRE CHIEF’S REPORT October 13, 2004 • Introduction of Ann Ignacio & Lillian Sarsfield • ID Name Cards (FEO Silva & Honda). Will be done at the end of meeting. • Schedule of base station & EMS advisory committee meetings to Laura Ward. (Laurie to let Laura know). • Distribute copies of assessment process & ID card memo to Commissioners (Laurie) • Ask Brazier—speak at Fire Prevention Week? (Laurie) Budget • Will be working on Fiscal Year 2005/06 submittal, which is due to Finance Department on November 22, 2004. Priority is to maintain our current service delivery requirements. We will push hard for support positions in our supplemental budget submittal (Training Division, Volunteer Training, Administration, reorganization.) Per F-1, he appreciates everyone’s position and drive to improve firefighter positions, but we just cannot keep up with training and our support needs. We will focus on getting training needs addressed so we can hire larger recruit classes. University of Hawaii now saying they cannot meet EMS First Responder needs, and we do not know implications of how far it will go. We will push hard on other support positions as they are there to support uniformed staff, and without them, we will have great difficulties. Alternative Funding and Grants • DOT-Safe Community Highway Safety Grant: FF Neil Yoshioka submitted our grant application to initiate process for funding award of $10,000 to purchase 50 radio translucent spine boards. • DOT-Safe Community Highway Safety Grant: Re: Two sets of extrication tools received from last year’s grant award. Captain Darren Rosario completed his training of personnel at Kaumana and Kawailani stations. Will eliminate need for Rescue 2 to respond to normal everyday MV accidents. • Department of Homeland Security, Office for Domestic Preparedness: Submitted on-line application to acquire a mobile fire and safety education program under the 2004 Fire Prevention and Safety Grant. Requested funding total of $110,744 for 35-foot trailer unit, shipping costs, and one-ton pick up truck. Grant submittal period closed September 30, 2004. A total of $27.5 million will be awarded nationwide. • USFA Grant: Have not yet heard anything on our Fire Act grant submittal, re: mobile training prop for fire based scenario training ($430,000). As of October 1, 2004, 3,194 grants have been awarded totaling $246 million. A total of about 8,000 grants will be awarded totaling $750 million. • FYI: Prior USFA Grant Submittals: 2003: 80 portable radios, modifications to fire stations (plymo-vent), 20 new SCBAs & upgrade of 84 SCBAs. Total grant $424,600. (unsuccessful) 2002: FFI/II Training Curriculum, Thermal Imaging Cameras, NFPA 1041 Train-the-Trainer and Driver Operator Program training; liquid propane live fire Xmas tree prop, fire extinguisher training burn prop, SCBA w/ integrated personal alert safety system for Training Division, portable compressor/cascade system for West Hawaii. Total grant $218,497. Capital Improvement Projects • Puna Public Safety Complex: No new updates. • Pahoa Fire Station: Architects Hawaii has been contracted to be our design consultant for this project. • Fire Administration: Met with Mayor Kim, who requested more details on planned and projected land usage. Will put together a proposal and re-submit to him for approval. • Kalaoa Fire Station: Bolton has not yet determined exactly where station is to be situated. Once that is identified and contract reviewed, project will continue to move ahead. Bolton’s attorney is providing Corp Counsel with a “property title” to indicate they have control and ownership. This is necessary for the contract. Promotions and Hiring • Dispatcher III Promotions: Internal recruitment opened for 3 positions effective October 11, 2004. Closing date is October 22, 2004. • Departmental Personnel Clerk: Upgraded position from Clerk III. Internal recruitment held; Judy Kaeo interviewed. She will be promoted effective November 1st, and we will be working to fill the Clerk III vacancy that will be created as a result. • FEO/Captain Promotions: (Copies of explanation of internal recruitment procedures provided to each Fire Commissioner). Operations Division • Brush Fires: Total of 47 brush fires between September 1 to 21, from South Point to West Hawaii. Conditions changing, entering season. Provided AFCs with briefing, including Public Works personnel, during recent staff meeting on October 1, 2004. • Community Groups for Homeland Security Training: Total of 12 personnel have been certified to be Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) instructors. • Situational Exercises – 93rd Civil Support Team • Aether Fire RMS User Conference: FEO Charles Whittle and Laurine Carvalho from Data Systems attending conference October 11 to 13, 2004 in San Antonio, Texas. Will focus on incorporation of additional modules into our present RMS: Advanced RMS, Occupancies, Hydrants, and Vehicles & Equipment. Prevention Division • Uniform Fire Code: Met with Corp Counsel to complete and adopt UFC 1997 Fire Code. Once finalized, we will have consistency across the state, which will make it easier for Inspectors to enforce codes. Training Division • Recruit Class Updates: 30th class just completed clinical portion of training and began EMT-I last week. The 31st class is in their 11th week. Completed Hazwopper training and presently undergoing water safety training in Kona all week. Volunteer Division • Driver Training: About 85% of volunteer personnel have gone through classroom portion for driver training. Working on getting their 40 hours and then certifying them. EMS Division • Ocean View Ambulance Service: Still on track to begin BLS service at Ocean View station. Continuing to work to get station in order and ambulance. • MICT Class: Scheduled to begin on November 1, 2004, with seven candidates going to class. Fire Auxiliary Services • Hawaii Insurance Bureau: Presently working with HIB to conduct reassessment or reclassifications of public classification guide for North and South Kohala districts. They recently reassessed Hilo districts, which resulted in a lower rating that ultimately benefited the community. New Projects/Business • 2nd Annual Statewide Municipal Attorney’s Conference: F-1 attended conference held on September 23/24 in Waikoloa sponsored by the Corporation Counsel. Attended sessions on discipline and procurement. He will ask Ashida to provide a more in-depth training on discipline for our personnel, as it was a valuable opportunity to learn the correct method to pursue and follow-up on discipline. Well organized, excellent conference. • 2004 State of Hawaii Ocean Safety Conference: F-1 attended conference “United in Purpose” held on Kauai on September 30. P&R has strong desire and long range goal to incorporate ocean safety with our department. Concept is good, but we want to go slowly so we do not encounter problems. See benefits but also difficulties that may come with it. Will take our time and plan out well. We have a tremendous partnership and collaboration with Ocean Aquatics Section. • Fire Department Identification Cards (memo disseminated to Commissioners) Public Relations • Fire Prevention Week: To be held October 23 at the old Kona airport from 1000-1400. Invitation sent to Commissioners; welcome all to attend. (no Bucket Brigade this year). • 3rd Annual KTA-HIUW Bag Brigade: Completed sixth & final KTA store this past Saturday. Campaign raised $4,403.80 to benefit Hawaii Island United Way. • 7th Annual Daniel Sayre Foundation Dinner: Held September 11 at Four Seasons. $40,000 donated to our department. Will be developing plan and proposal for disbursement of funds.