HomeMy WebLinkAbout061406COUNTY OF HAWAII FIRE COMMISSION
FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT
June 13, 2006
Budget
• FY 2006/07: Council approved our budget. Pending Mayor's final approval, we will be
getting following new positions:
— Account Clerk
— Information Systems Analyst IV (Data Systems budget)
— Fire Captain (Volunteer Training)
— FEO (Driver Trainer)
— Battalion Chief (Special Operations)
— Part Time Projects Manager
Alternative Funding and Grants
• No new updates on our U.S. Fire Administration Assistance to Fire Fighters Grants.
• Department of Transportation -Safe Highways Grant: Will be submitting for road safety
system (generators, lights, banners). Total grant application $30,000.
Capital Improvement Projects
• Makalei Fire Station: Awaiting fee proposal from consultants (Architects Hawaii). Should be
by end of week.
• Pahoa Fire Station: Received bid; opened on May 11. Low bid was Isemoto Contracting at
$4.8 million. Included additional $1 million into budget for project. Will award contract once
funding allocated.
• Fire Administration & Support Facility: Completed compilation of data and submitted to
Public Works. Awaiting their selection of design consultant.
• Central Fire Station: Housing and Community Development Corp of Hawaii board met last
month and approved transfer of land to County. Will now be forwarded to HUD for approval.
Promotions and Hiring
Internal Recruitments: Active recruits include:
Fire Prevention Inspector: Assessments scheduled June 14 & 19.
Fire Equipment Operator: Assessments held June 7.
Fire Rescue Specialist: 6 personnel promoted effective June 6.
Open Recruitments:
Firefighter Recruit: Interviews held; 341h class to begin July 3.
Fire Radio Dispatchers: New dispatchers to begin July 17.
• Battalion Chief: Retirement of BC Paul Paiva effective June 1, 2006.
Emergency Operations Division
Support Services Division
Auxiliary Services:
Warehouse:
With V. Akine efforts, we have begun the process of fit testing our personnel for their
breathing apparatus face masks starting this week. After this is completed we will begin
the distribution and training of new MSA breathing apparatus to all line companies.
Training conducted with the help of FF Gene Nakashima & Captains Craig Nagamine
and Jerry Lum.
Maintenance Shop:
The maintenance shop staff is now fully staffed at five personnel with the hire of Patrick
Lau.
EMS Bureau:
We recently approved the purchase of 15 laptops. These laptops will support Patient
Care Reporting (PCR) software that will replace our paper ambulance report forms.
Training Bureau:
Volunteer Section:
$30,000 dollars was given to the Department by Counciman Pilago from his
discretionary fund to support operations at the Pu'uanahulu and Kalaoa Volunteer
stations. $1,000 of this money will be used to complete an ADA assessment needed at
Pu'uanahulu. This will clear the way for the County to use the Fire Station.
Other Support Division Activities:
A used, but in very good condition, type 42 Fire Engine was recently donated to the
County by the USDA Forest Service. Another type 42 engine is scheduled to be donated
to us by the State Dept. of Forestry and Wildlife.
New Projects/Business
Ironman Donation: Through the Sayre Foundation, Ironman will make a donation of about
$42,000 to our department for equipment: Kubota RTV utility vehicle, Honda Foreman
ATV, 2 utility trailers, and a Gator Multi -purpose utility vehicle with EMS kit.
Charter Amendment: Have submitted a request to adopt "Hawai'i Fire Department" as the
official title of the department. Department's identity formalized in 1892 at the "Hilo
Volunteer Fire Department." In 1905, Hawaii was established as a County. The
department and its title continued to evolve through the years and has been referred to by
various names. This bill would ensure standardization and recognition of the department's
name.
• 2006 Legislature:
• HB 1833 (Fireworks Permits): Act 54 signed into law by Governor Lingle on May 1, 2006.
Tremendous accomplishment for our department in that bill was introduced into the
Legislature for the first time this session.
• SIB 218 (MICT Stipend): Enrolled to Governor Lingle on May 8, 2006. (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 remains unspecified.
Effective July 1, 2006 if approved by Governor).
• SIB 3146 (Appropriation for Emergency Medical Services): This bill did not make it out of
conference committee hearings.
• SIB 2667 (Clarifies fireworks terminology to be consistent with Federal law and repeals and
amends definitions): Signed by Governor Lingle on June 9.
• Media Relations: Media -Fire Department meeting held on April 27 at the Hawaii
Community College. Representatives from West Hawaii Today, Honolulu Advertiser, and
Hawaii Star Bulletin attended. Good discussion and foundation to building interactive
working relationship and partnerships.
• Open Houses at Fire Stations: At suggestion of Commissioner Kudlo, recommend we
target Fire Prevention Week (October 8-14) for fire station open houses around the island.
• Relocation of Fire Administration: Will be moving to the former Veteran's Administration
building located across the police station on Ululani Street. Target date for everyone to
move out of County Building is August -September. Building scheduled to close in October
for about two years.
Employee/Public Relations
• Mother's Day Rose Project for American Cancer Society: 4th year. Coordinated by FFs
Shane Paulos, Gabriel Sasaki and Patrick Springer. Raised $4,073 for American Cancer
Society.
• EMS Week: 6th Annual EMS Week held on Sunday, May 28 at Liliuokalani Park.
Incorporating Keiki Fun Run this year. Thanks to Commissioner Bertsch for participating.
All proceeds to benefit Hospice of Hilo.