HomeMy WebLinkAbout031407HAWAII FIRE COMMISSION
FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT
March 14, 2007
Budget
• FY 2007/08 Budget: Mayor Kim presented his budget to the Council and included the
following supplemental budget items:
o Warehouse renovation $20,000
o PPE Program $260,000
o Safety Shoe Program $40,000
0 2 Rescue Apparatus $1,060,000
Will be presenting our budget before the County Council on Friday, March 30, 2007, at
9:00 a.m.
Alternative Funding and Grants
• FEMA FY 2005 Assistance to Fire Fighters Grant: (Plymo-Vent) The projected start
date is March 19. The contractor will not be doing the electrical at Central but wants to
start there because it is the most difficult station and the representative will be here at
the time. They will hook up the electrical later.
• FEMA FY 2004 Assistance to Fire Fighters Grant: (Burn Trailer) Still awaiting formal
approval (MOA) from State Department of Transportation before training delivery can
begin.
• FEMA FY 2006 Fire Prevention & Safety Grant: No word on our grant submittal, re: fire
safety & education trailer.
• FEMA FY 2007 Assistance to Fire Fighters Grant: Open period for this grant
application postponed (was supposed to be March 5).
Capital Improvement Projects
• Makalei Fire Station: Met with design consultant on February 19. Preliminary
discussion on building and site requirements.
• Pahoa Fire Station: Site work begun with site grubbing; demolition of existing building
have been completed. Construction contract executed effective February 27, 2007 with
completion date by May 12, 2008.
• Fire Administration & Support Facility: Continuing to negotiate fee proposal with
consultant for design.
• Central Fire Station: No new developments. Still awaiting approval to change of site
use from Federal HUD (from housing to public service facility).
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• Central Fire Station Retrofit Project: Pre -construction meeting held February 14, 2007
with contractor to iron out details of project. Site meeting to be held shortly at Central
Fire Station to lay out plans. DPW currently reviewing General Contractor's submittal of
materials, equipment and sub -contractor lists.
• Captain Cook: No new developments. Fee proposal still currently under review by
Department of Public Works.
• Paauilo Volunteer Station: Continuing with design phase of project. Building
recommendations and site planning issues being addressed.
• Naalehu Fire Station: Submitted request to Mayor Kim to request to the Governor's
office for an executive order for Naalehu site near Waiohinu. Mayor responded and
requested a comprehensive priority listing of all fire station needs.
Promotions and Hiring
Active recruits include:
Open -Competitive Recruitment
• Fire Fighter Recruits. Conditional offers for candidates of 36th class. Will be setting
up medical screening. Target date of hire is June 1, 2007. Family orientation
scheduled during May; will inform Fire Commissioners. Anticipate hire for 37th class
in November or December 2007.
Internal Recruitment
• Fire Equipment Operator assessment held on February 17, 2007. Hoping to do
promotions effective April 1.
• Internal Recruitment for Battalion Chiefs (EMS and FASO) closed on February 28.
Emergency Operations Division
• West Hawaii BC/Captains meeting completed. East Hawaii BC officers are working on
having their meeting in March.
• FFI program deadline met and tallying of data on the personnel in the department
ongoing in March.
• Working on ICS 100, 200 and 700 courses with line companies.
• BCs stressing to personnel the importance of the proper use of PPE.
Support Services Division
Auxiliary Services:
Communications
• The wireless project is to start soon, temporary upgrades to dispatch wiring to be
completed this month. Installation of new hardware, training with new software and
wireless testing to begin in April.
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Warehouse
• Distributed Fire Extinguisher and Flammable signs to stations. This should complete all
Support division activities for HIOSH remediation.
• Air Bag (Safe Highways 2006 Grant) distribution complete
• Met with Dave Heretrich (MSA) and Merrick Hee - Vivian, G Nakashima & J. Lum to
finalize details of MSA distribution (SCBA Standardization Project).
Maintenance Shop:
Received two 300 gallon replacement water tanks for BT 5 and BT 8. Installation to
begin shortly.
New Apparatus
Received word that new engine for Captain Cook ready for final inspection and
acceptance at Pierce Manufacturing.
EMS Bureau:
• We would like to thank FF/MICT Wayne DeMotta for his assistance with critical EMS
supply distribution.
• Construction began on HMC's Emergency Room renovation project. Patient drop-offs
by our medics are affected, however, our personnel are adapting well.
• AC2 met with staff at HMC to discuss current state of ambulance supply procurement.
HMC and Kau Hospital does not want to continue supporting our current restocking
system. Working on a price term agreement bid to secure a vendor to provide
ambulance supplies
Inspection Bureau:
Three inspectors attended Fire Inspections Principles training on Oahu from Feb. 12-23,
2007 (two weeks).
Training Bureau:
Operations Section:
33rd Recruit Class has been promoted to Firefighter status as of March 1, 2007.
They are currently finishing up the minimum requirements needed to be an
assigned EMT on a Medic unit.
34t" Recruit Class concluded their EMT-B clinical phase of training. They will be
taking their finals this week and begin their EMT -I class on March 9, 2007. EMT-1
will continue throughout April and end on May 11, 2007.
35t" Recruit Class is finishing up their Fire Essentials Curriculum with skills testing
and a written final exam. The Recruits successfully completed a Wildland Fire
Training with the Department of Forestry and Wildlife Feb. 26 — Mar. 3. They will
also be receiving a class on Propane Gas emergencies provided by the Gas
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Company, followed by a week of Water Safety Lifeguard Certification Training in
West Hawaii, and a week of Hazardous Materials First Responder Operations
Training.
Volunteer Section:
• West Hawaii: Trained 89 volunteers (10 companies) in CPR/AED and First Responder
• East Hawaii: Met with 64 volunteers (12 companies) and worked with them on
inventory and PUC issues.
• Mac Goddard of Ocean View Volunteers stated that their two new trainers are doing an
excellent job.
• Next Volunteer Fire Chiefs meeting will be held on April 21 at the Pahala Fire Station.
Other Support Division Activities:
AC2 Working with FEMA for reimbursement of Oct. 15, 2006 earthquake costs.
AC2 Working with representatives from HPD and Data Systems in the selection of a
consultant to design a new radio system.
AC2 Working with Public Works, Pacific Wireless, and Corporation Counsel on the Kapoho
Radio Tower to Puna Geothermal transfer.
New Projects/Business
• F-1 attended NFA Executive Analysis of Fire Service Operations in Emergency
Management (2-19 to 3-2) in Emmitsburg, Maryland.
PUBLIC EDUCATION/RELATIONS
• American Red Cross: Hats Off Campaign held at KTA-Puainako and Kailua on March
3. With our help, raised a total of $4,954.05. Great partnership with The Gas
Company.
• 5t" Annual Employees & Awards Dinner: Postponed.
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