Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout041206COUNTY OF HAWAII FIRE COMMISSION FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT April 12, 2006 F-1 on Oahu attending HFFA Fire Negotiations meetings (April 11-12) Welcome aboard Fire Commissioner John Bertsch. Overview of Volunteer Program by Captain Russell Enriques and Volunteer Fire Chief Tom Brandt. (May be held under New Business) Budget FY 2006/07: Our department's budget review before Council held on March 29. Members were receptive to our supplemental budget submittal. It was obvious also that the Council also understands the needs of our Volunteer Section. Thanks to Commissioner Matsuda for attending (any comments to share?). Also thanks to volunteers for support (any comments to share?) Alternative Funding and Grants • U.S. Fire Administration FY 2005 Assistance to Fire Fighters Grant: Bid specs submitted to Finance. Received approval from State DLNR Historic Preservation for proposed attachments to buildings (Central and Kawailani fire stations). Documents sent to National Historic Preservation for review and approval. • U.S. Fire Administration FY 2004 Assistance to Fire Fighters Grant: Captain Glen Honda and FF Keola Payao went to FTS (bought out by Draeger Safety) for pre - construction meeting. Design is for a 43-foot trailer/chassis designed to be removable; two burn props; two smoke machines for live fire training, rescue training, black out drills; second story; flashover training and live fire interior attack; ventilation simulations. Cost is $450,000. Presently in building stage. Deadline for delivery of burn trailer is September 5, 2006. U.S. Fire Administration FY 2006 Assistance to Fire Fighters Grant: AC Mento submitted grant application to purchase wildland fire safety shoes for all line company fire fighters. Grant application for $75,000 (includes $12,000 County match). Office of Domestic Preparedness: Update of ODP grant: Three vehicles received to tow Mako trailers; they are out on line. Took delivery of two 25-foot new rescue boats on March 29. Will be receiving five trucks to tow, mass decon team, and US&R. Capital Improvement Projects (Report to be provided by CIP Manager Nicholas AhYo) • Pahoa Fire Station • Fire Administration & Support Facility • Central Fire Station • Central Fire Station -Retrofit Project: • Makalei Fire Station Promotions and Hiring Internal Recruitments: Active recruits include: Fire Prevention Inspector, Fire Captain, Fire Rescue Specialist. • Firefighter Recruit:: Will be scheduling interviews for about 100 candidates from both agility tests to select for 34t" and 35t" recruit classes. Firefighter Recruit Agility Tests: In response to Commissioner Matsuda's question at last month's meeting on whether candidates were considered for the second agility test if they failed to show on the first, the Department of Civil Service allows qualifying individuals one opportunity at taking a performance test, unless the recruitment is open on a continuous basis. The purpose is to provide other qualifying applicants with an opportunity. There is always a small percentage of individuals not showing for civil service written tests as well as performance tests for a variety of reasons (candidates change their mind and are no longer interested, conflicts in work schedule, vacation, illness, trips off -island, etc.) Rescheduling for performance tests are done only for extenuating circumstances. Two candidates for the Fire Fighter Recruit performance test scheduled for September 24, 2005 who called the Department of Civil Service due to having personal physical injuries were rescheduled for the January 14, 2006 performance test; however, one was still recuperating from his injuries and the other failed to show for unknown reasons. One other candidate who was serving in Iraq at the time the group took the test was rescheduled for the performance test upon his return to Hilo. This rescheduling was done through communication between the candidate and the Department of Civil Service in accordance with federal law requirements. Emergency Operations Division Waiakea High School Fire: Responded to alarm at 0112, first unit on scene at 0118. Response by Engines 1, 2, 3 & 4, Medic 1 & 3, F-1, AC-2, BC Bob Bailey, Rescue 2 and Inspector Pacleb. Fire is suspicious; being investigated by Pacleb. CNH Conference: Five personnel (Murasaki, Rowe, Tobosa, Bergin & Tomich) will attend the California -Nevada -Hawaii conference on April 19-21 on Maui through Rural Development Program grant funding. Topics of discussion/presentation include: Emergency Response to Hurricane Katrina, fire use restrictions on public lands, strategy and tactics exercises, the Hayman Fire Investigation (lead fire investigator of Colorado's largest fire in history sets the stage from initial investigation to the conviction of a federal employee), field trips to lao State Park, Kepaniwai County Park, and the Pacific Disaster Center, and results of PuuAnahulu prescribed fire project. Support Services Division Puuanahulu Volunteer Fire Company (to be presented by Diane Noda) Ocean View Ambulance (to be presented by Diane Noda) Training Bureau • Upcoming off site NFA classes: Preparation for Initial Company Officers on April 13-14; and Executive Skill Series: Managing and Leading Change on April 24 & 25. • Bringing back arson detection training next month. • Working on specs for platform aerial and Brush Truck 6. • Kalaoa pumper in build stage. Waiting for notice to proceed on Captain Cook pumper. o Next Volunteer Chief's meeting will be held on April 29 at Civil Defense. New Projects/Business 2006 Legislature: HB 1833 (Fireworks Permits): Still alive. Amended several times but at present, back to its original format which will allow the County to designate authorized vendors to issue fireworks permits. Will be heard before the full legislature (House and Senate), and if approved, will go to Governor. If approved, will be effective July 1, 2006. • SB 218 (MICT Stipend): To offset the hardships incurred by students who desire to participate in MICT training program. If approved, will designate 10 students per year who are public or private EMTs and currently do not have access to a training stipend program. Dollar amount not yet determined. Is presently in House (Committee of Labor & Public Employment.) Effective July 1, 2006 if approved. SB 3146 (Appropriation for Emergency Medical Services): Part 1: Provides for funding to provide intra-island emergency aeromedical services to rural Oahu only Part H Appropriates out of the general revenues of State of Hawaii sum of $1 for FY 2006107 as a grant-in-aid to County of Hawaii for dedicated EMS personnel to staff aeromedical helicopter. • Part III: Appropriates sum (to be determined) for FY 06107 to be used for two emergency mobile urgent care units to be stationed at Ocean View and Volcano fire stations. • Part IV: Appropriates ALS units to various areas on Oahu. • Part V: Appropriates sum of $1 for ALS service for Haiku district on Maui. • Part VI: Appropriates sum (to be determined) for FY 06107 for emergency services at Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center. • Part Vll: Act shall take effect on July 1, 2020. Bill is still alive in the House. • Media Relations: Media -Fire Department meeting to be held on April 27 at the Hawaii Community College. We have sent invitations to the Hawaii Tribune Herald, West Hawaii Today, Honolulu Advertiser, and Hawaii Star Bulletin. The objective is to create a face-to-face working relationship and understanding as well as to present to the media the legal policies/issues concerning the release of information to the public. Goal is to build partnerships. Employee/Public Relations • Waikoloa Fire Station Open House: Per F-1 and BC Reuben Chun, highly successful event with good community support and excellent media coverage. Thanks to Commissioner Browne for his support and also thanks to the station personnel who did a great job. Request that Commissioner Browne provide his overview on the open house. • 4th Annual Employee Awards and Recognition Dinner: Held on March 18, Saturday, at King Kamehameha Hotel in Kona. Great attendance by volunteer firefighters. Next year will be held on March 10 in Hilo. • Mother's Day Rose Project for American Cancer Society: 4th year. Coordinated by FFs Shane Paulos, Gabriel Sasaki and Patrick Springer. Will be selling bouquet orders at Merrie Monarch on April 20 to 22, rose prep on May 11 and delivery on May 12. Have raised nearly $10,000 for American Cancer Society in first three years of event. • EMS Week: 6th Annual EMS Week to be held on Sunday, May 28 at Liliuokalani Park. Incorporating Keiki Fun Run this year. Invitations mailed to Commissioners yesterday.