HomeMy WebLinkAbout050907HAWAII FIRE COMMISSION
FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT
May 9, 2007
Budget
FY 2007/08 Budget: Received the Mayor's amended submittal to Council, which
includes $86,000 for replacement beds, stoves, and refrigerators at our stations.
• FY 2006/07 Budget: As Commissioners may have read in recent newspaper articles,
overtime paid is high mainly due to personnel shortage and training requirements. We
are carefully monitoring our budget to ensure no shortfalls.
Alternative Funding and Grants
• FEMA FY 2005 Assistance to Fire Fighters Grant: (Plymo-Vent) Duct work completed
on Stations 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8. Awaiting electrical installation and formal training before
system is operational. Training to be scheduled in early June.
• FEMA FY 2004 Assistance to Fire Fighters Grant: (Burn Trailer) Still awaiting MOU
from State Department of Transportation to relocate trailer to former airport site.
Should be finalized soon.
• FEMA FY 2006 Fire Prevention & Safety Grant: No word yet on our grant proposal for
fire safety & education trailer. Submitted in January; if successful, will work with
committee on implementation.
• FEMA FY 2007 Assistance to Fire Fighters Grant: Submitted our grant application on
May 3rd for video teleconferencing equipment. Grant total request is for $327,600 to
purchase VTS equipment for 15 of our 20 fire stations (5 stations do not have basic
technical capability to accommodate VTS), Training, Dispatch, and Administration.
• Firemans Fund Heritage Grant: $12,500 received to conduct instructor training.
Commissioner Bertsch attended check presentation ceremony.
• Capital Improvement Projects
• Makalei Fire Station: No new updates from last month's report: (Preliminary site plan
agreed upon. Consultant to conduct Environmental Assessment and survey of site.)
• Pahoa Fire Station: Supplemental contract obtained for design of intersection with
Highway 130.
• Fire Administration & Support Facility: No new developments from last month's report.
(Continuing to negotiate fee proposal with consultant for design.)
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• Central Fire Station: No new developments from last month's report: (Received
response from HUD; requesting an Environmental Review be conducted on parcel to
be conveyed to the County. In process of selecting consultant.)
• Central Fire Station Retrofit Project: No new developments from last month's report:
(Site meeting on hold. DPW awaiting general contractor (Beachside Construction) to
submit revised sub -contractor listing. Upon resubmission and approval, will hold site
meeting.)
• Captain Cook: No new developments: (Received fee proposal; currently under review
by Department of Public Works).
• Paauilo Volunteer Station: No new developments: (Meeting held with DPW on site use
issues. DPW Highways facility will use all of the area that is currently fenced. Fire
Department has agreed to use site located on the Honokaa side of access road.
Design will now include this area. Due to fact that DPW has funds available for
construction, as an interim measure, DPW will include an area to temporarily house our
volunteer vehicles.)
Promotions and Hiring
Active recruits include:
Open -Competitive Recruitment
• FF Recruit Candidates (re: 36th and 37th classes.) Candidates presently
undergoing medical screening. Target date for hire for 36th recruit class is July 15,
2007. Have identified qualified applicants for interview phase. Looking at
December/January for 37th class.
FFR Family Orientation for 36th class will be held June 15 at 1730 at Aupuni Center
Conference Room. Invitation open to all Commissioners.
Internal Recruitment
Battalion Chiefs: Assessment held for five candidates for EMS and FASO positions
on May 2nd. Ask Commissioner Rosehill if he has any comments to offer on
process.
• Battalion Chiefs (Emergency Operations and Special Operations): Internal
recruitment for these two positions opened on May 3rd. Closing date is May 16.
Emergency Operations Division
Support Services Division
Auxiliary Services:
FCCC:
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Began implementation of Wireless 911 in late April — the FCCC (with varying degrees of
accuracy) is able to determine the location and number of a 911 cell phone call.
Maintenance Shop:
• New Apparatus
New Engine 6- HFD 500 arrived. Personnel are to be trained on apparatus in May.
EMS Bureau:
Developed price term agreement for EMS Supplies, submitted to Purchasing Division
on April 13.
Inspection Bureau:
Training Bureau:
Operations Section
34tn Fire Recruits
Engaged in the EMT -I clinical portion of their class throughout the month of April.
Clinicals will end on May 5tn and they will go through skills testing and a final during
the following week. Graduation ceremony is slated for May 12tn, at the Nani Mau,
beginning at 5:00 pm. They will be back in class on May 14 and 15tn
35tn Fire Recruits
Station Orientation and Driver Training on going. Class is divided: half is assigned
to station orientation and the other half to driver training. They have been
alternating between the 2 topics on a weekly basis. EMT preparation lectures
involving topics such as medical terminology and basic anatomy and physiology has
been interjected to aid their transition into EMT class which is scheduled to begin on
June 12, 2007. The 35tn has been busy giving back to the community by
volunteering their time and assistance to the Merrie Monarch Parade, the Office
Professional's Day Luncheon. They are planning to provide Lifeguards at the
upcoming Waiakea High School Graduation Night in early June, being held at the
Hilo Yacht Club.
36tn Fire Recruits
Preparation for the upcoming 36tn Fire Recruit Class has begun. The course
schedule is almost complete. Class supplies are being gathered and organized.
The potential candidates have been selected and are going through the pre-
employment process.
Other
Continuous implementation and monitoring of the Driver Audit and PUC Programs.
Focused on program improvement.
Volunteer Section
East Hawaii
Trained 10 Companies, 52 personnel
Training included: Wet Drills, Hose Evolutions, & Communications
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West Hawaii
Trained 9 Companies, 70 personnel
Training included Wet Drills (including multi -company), Hose Testing, Vehicle
maintenance and Communications
Report by Tom Brandt.
Other Support Division Activities:
• Continue to work with FEMA for reimbursement of Oct. 15, 2005 earthquake costs.
• Consultant for new radio system selected (Macro Engineering). Data Systems taking
the lead on handling negotiations. Radio group met with Mayor Kim to discuss long
range development of this project.
• Working with Public Works, Pacific Wireless, and Corporation Council on the Kapoho
Radio Tower to Puna Geothermal transfer (continuing). Funding approved by council
in March. Bid specifications for equipment completed and submitted to purchasing on
April 13.
• Distributed FF1 and FF2 Video training resources to all stations and Volunteer
Captains.
• Bid specifications for 2007 Highways Safety Grant Award (portable generators, remote
lighting, highway safety signs) completed and submitted to Purchasing Division.
New Projects/Business
Explorer Program: Stacy Domingo, Justin Neeson, Tracy Brennan, and Kimo Wilson
working actively to get program off ground. Pilot program in Hilo will begin June 23.
Burn Trailer: Demonstration to be held at Schultz Siding following the meeting.
Employee/Public Relations
5th Annual Employees & Awards Dinner: Confirmed date is Friday, August 17 at Hilo
Meishoin.
34th FF Recruit Class Graduation: To be held May 12, 2007, at 1700, at Nani Mau
Gardens.
EMS Week: 7th Annual 5K Run/Walk/Keiki Run to be held on Sunday, May 27, at
Liliuokalani Gardens.
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