HomeMy WebLinkAbout011106COUNTY OF HAWAII FIRE COMMISSION
FIRE CHIEF’S REPORT
January 11, 2006
• Presentation of gift & lei to Commissioner Fergerstrom.
• Introduction of Assistant Chief Murasaki and six Battalion Chiefs.
Budget
• FY 2006/07: Will be meeting with Department of Finance on our FY 2006/07 budget
submittal on Friday, January 13, at 1400. As requested by Commissioner Brazier, this
year’s (FY 06/07) supp budget totals $2,370,925 as compared to FY 05/06 at
$4,175,265.
Alternative Funding and Grants
• FEMA FY 2005 Assistance to Fire Fighters Grant: Draft bid award proposal near
completion and will soon be submitted to Finance Department, re: vehicle emissions
system. Also working on National Historic Preservation requirements (Central and
Kawailani stations). Neil and Gene working to assess each station’s requirements
needs.
• FEMA FY 2004 Assistance to Fire Fighters Grant: Received hearing ruling in favor of
County on January 10, 2006. (Commissioner Matsuda requested to know the process
for the burn trailer appeal—is the decision made by one person or a group, and is the
decision final?)
• CDBG FY 2006 Grant Proposal: Will be submitting our Community Development Block
Grant proposal for FY 2006 for $850,000, to purchase a replacement Pahoa fire engine
and Pahala fire tanker. Grant proposal completed by AC Mento.
DOT Safe Highways Grant: First quarter report turned in for DOT airbags. Purchase to
occur in March.
Capital Improvement Projects
• Pahoa Fire Station: Will complete final plans off of comments by end of this month.
Should advertise for bid by end of this month or early next month. As soon as we get
basic floor plan copy, would like to circulate copies to all stations. We think we included
just about everything in design plan.
• Fire Administration & Support Facility: Completing data for dispatch; need to work on
training complex next. Nick has been talking with Public Works for design/selection
committee to start process.
• Kalaoa Fire Station: We are awaiting costing data, which is due from Bolton by end of
this week (January 13). Already started looking at alternative sites in event this project
does not go through.
• Central Fire Station: Nothing new to report. (The Mayor’s Office is handling the site
acquisition (Lanikila, 1.5 acres at makai side of Wailoa and Ululani Street). We will pick
up this project after site acquisition.)
• Central Fire Station-Retrofit Project: Project went out to bid on Tuesday and should
open bid during the second week of February. Awarding of contract thereafter.
• CIP Six Year Program: Submitted to Planning. Total of 13 projects submitted in order of
priority through FY 2009-10. (Copy is attached for your reference.).
• Paauilo Volunteer Fire Station: No new developments since last report. (Finance
Department has given us approval on five acres at this site and allowed pursuit of
funding.)
Promotions and Hiring
• Internal Recruitments: Active recruitments include: FRD, Fire Mechanic, want to fill
one mechanic left and two, possibly 3 positions in dispatch.
• Captain, FEO, and Prevention Inspector positions. Recently received results and will be
notifying candidates.
Emergency Operations Division
• Penalties for Arson: As requested by Commissioner Okabe at last month’s meeting,
penalties imposed upon minors for arson investigation cannot be determined because of
the fact that it depends on the juvenile ’s age, their criminal history, and the severity of the
offense, unless they are tried as an adult. Penalties are standardized statewide.
Support Services Division
• AC Mento working on revised Job Performance Report project.
Prevention Bureau: Sold 1,684 permits islandwide, about 800 less than last year. Hilo
1,176; Kamuela: 243; Kona 265.
Training Bureau:
• 32nd FF Recruit Class: Presently in EMTI. Will be assigned to companies on March 1,
2006.
• 33rd FF Recruit Class: Presently divided between driver training and station duties.
• FF Recruit Agility Test: To be conducted this Saturday, January 14.
Volunteer Training Section
Volunteer Chiefs’ meeting to be held this Saturday, January 14 at 1000 at Station 17-A.
Hosted by Wayne Krug.
Auxiliary Services Bureau: Recent SCBA acquisition to standardize islandwide. Training to
follow.
EMS Bureau: Electronic ARF committee members selected and meeting held on January
10, 2006.
New Projects/Business
• 2006 Legislature: Submitted proposal to increase our EMS budget by $512,931 to
provide dedicated staffing of our air medical helicopter.
• Also working with Representative Jerry Chang on various fireworks legislation. Of
particular interest is establishing home rule provision that allows each County can enact
rules that may be stricter than state laws. Also proposing to change permit process that
County can delegate selling of permits to vendors. Training will be provided.
• 32nd FF Recruit Class Graduation: To be held on Friday, February 17, starting at 1700.
Would like to have procession into graduation by all uniformed firefighters.
Employee/Public Relations
• 4th Annual Employee Awards and Recognition Dinner: To be held on March 18,
Saturday, at King Kamehameha Hotel in Kona. Invitations will be mailed to
Commissioners this month.
• Hawaii Heart Walk: 9th Annual Heart Walk to benefit American Heart Association to be
held on February 11, Saturday, at 0800, starting at Liliuokalani Gardens. All invited to
attend.