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HomeMy WebLinkAbout020806COUNTY OF HAWAII FIRE COMMISSION FIRE CHIEF’S REPORT February 8, 2006 • Introduction of John Perry, who is a student at the University of Hawaii doing a public education program internship with the County of Hawaii. Budget • FY 2006/07: Met with Department of Finance on our FY 2006/07 budget submittal on Friday, January 13. Receptive to Systems Analyst, CIP Projects Manager, and Prevention Clerk/Auditor positions. Requested we present our proposal for other positions to the Mayor; met with Mayor on January 18; have not heard anything back yet. We go before the Council on our budget on March 29 at 1330. • Request to agendize a budget presentation at next month’s meeting to provide commissioners with some budget items, particularly overtime issues. Alternative Funding and Grants • FEMA FY 2005 Assistance to Fire Fighters Grant: FF Neil Yoshioka is continuing to research and work on bid award proposal for our vehicles emissions system. Captain Alex Almeida working on National Historic Preservation requirements for Central and Kawailani fire stations. Bids should be going out in near future, at latest in March. • FEMA FY 2004 Assistance to Fire Fighters Grant: FEO Mike Hayashida met with Bill Gray on awarding of bid to Draeger; he was assured that February 10 is their target date for bid award. Our amendment requesting an extension to our grant has been approved by Department of Homeland Security. Extension granted to April 9, 2006. In regards to Commissioner Matsuda’s question on why the burn trailer procurement appeal goes to the Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs, Corp Counsel Diane Noda researched and provided the following response: The Hawaii Revised Statutes provides that DCCA sets the standards, enforces all laws and rules, and supervises the conduct of trades, business, and professions, as well as sets the procedure for any protests and appeals. • CDBG FY 2006 Grant Proposal: Submitted our Community Development Block Grant proposal for FY 2006 for $850,000, to purchase a replacement Pahoa fire engine and Pahala fire tanker. Application completed by AC Mento. Capital Improvement Projects CIP Projects Manager Nicholas AhYo provided CIP report: • Kalaoa Fire Station: Received offer from another developer to provide us with a site in that area. Given that site is larger, we are pursuing offer. We will make determination by next week Wednesday to let Bolton know. • Pahoa Fire Station: Snag in plans from DOH, re: septic tank. Therefore, plans delayed. Building Department requested that architects include additional hardening of facility to withstand hurricane force winds. Will delay final plans to mid or late February. Bids to be submitted thereafter. • Fire Administration & Support Facility: Completed work on design matrix for Administration portion and emergency dispatch. Just started working on matrix for training building. • Central Fire Station: Mayor’s office has lead in acquiring site from Lanikila. Mayor requested survey of site to clearly define property we are requesting, as well as estimate of fair market value. • Central Fire Station-Retrofit Project: Sent out for bids last month. Supposed to have opened on February 4, however, due to bidders not submitting correct questions back, extended to February 16. • CIP Six Year Program: Being finalized by Planning. Copies of submittal provided to Commissioners. Promotions and Hiring • Internal Recruitments: Continuing to work on FRD (3 vacancies) and Fire Mechanic (1 vacancy) recruitments. • Captain, FEO, and Prevention Inspector Recruitments: All candidates have been notified of their scores on the written examination. Will be scheduling assessment centers for Captain & FEO recruitments and will notify Commissioners once scheduled. Will be doing new recruitment for Prevention Inspector vacancies. • Firefighter Recruit:: Total of about 100 candidates from both agility tests to select for 34th and 35th recruit classes. 34th class tentatively scheduled to begin on April 16; 35th class in September. Emergency Operations Division • Brush Fires: BC Bailey provided an update on the Ka’u brush fire. BC Chun provided an overview of fires in Waimea. • Visitor Arrival Data: Thanks to Commissioner Browne for providing study on annual visitors to the island. Appreciate research conducted with Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce and Kohala Coast Resort Association. Copies circulated to all commissioners. • Ocean View Fire Station: Target date to upgrade to ALS service effective February 16. Support Services Division Prevention Bureau: With the start of the 2006 Legislature, have been tracking various fireworks related bills and submitting testimony. HB 1833 that will authorize County to designate vendors to sell fireworks permits heard yesterday in the Judiciary Committee. According to website, bill was approved with amendments. Have call in to Rep. Chang’s office to find out what amendments were made. Testimonies also submitted by Big Island retail vendors in support. HB 2000 also passed in the Judiciary committee (re: more stringent laws and ban of fireworks on 4th of July in counties over 500,000 population.) Training Bureau: • 32nd FF Recruit Class: Will be returning to EMT training next week; graduation on February 17 at 1700 at Nani Mau Gardens. • 33rd FF Recruit Class: Continuing with driver training and station orientation. Hope to start class on March 15. • Volunteer Training Section Auxiliary Services Bureau EMS Bureau: • Electronic ARF steering committee members, AC Mento and Data Systems attended Med Media Train the Trainer workshop on Oahu on February 6. • Received three new ambulances—Keaau, Waikoloa, and Ocean View. New Projects/Business • 2006 Legislature: Submitted proposal to increase our EMS budget by $512,931 to provide dedicated staffing of our air medical helicopter. Will be heard in Health Committee tomorrow. Testimony submitted. • 32nd FF Recruit Class Graduation: As mentioned earlier, graduation to be held on Friday, February 17, starting at 1700. Will have procession into graduation by all uniformed firefighters. • Personnel Orders: Apologies on behalf of my secretary for not submitting copies of Personnel Orders to Commissioners for “read only” folder. As of 2006, copies will be made for Commissioners. • Review of Progress and Accomplishments: Request to agendize at next month’s meeting a review of some of the projects that have been initiated, as well as accomplishments, in the past four years. Employee/Public Relations • 4th Annual Employee Awards and Recognition Dinner: Invitations mailed to all Commissioners for 4th annual dinner to be held on March 18, Saturday, at King Kamehameha Hotel in Kona. • 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.