HomeMy WebLinkAbout091207HAWAII FIRE COMMISSION
FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT
September 12, 2007
Battalion Chief Jerry Lum was introduced to the Fire Commission
Budget
FY 2007/08 Budget: Will be preparing for FY 08/09 budget. The Finance Department
will make a budget presentation on September 21, 2007, at which time, we will receive
direction.
Alternative Funding and Grants
FEMA FY 2005 Assistance to Fire Fighters Grant: (Plymo-Vent) Working to get all
stations retrofitted with system. Final report will be submitted this month.
• FEMA FY 2004 Assistance to Fire Fighters Grant: (Burn Trailer) No new
developments. (Still awaiting MOU from State Department of Transportation to relocate
trailer to former airport site.)
FEMA FY 2007 Assistance to Fire Fighters Grant: Status quo. (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.)
State Department of Transportation Highway Safety Grant: Status quo. (Submited
grant proposal to acquire three electronic message boards. Total grant application
$29,500. Notification to be made in August or September.) F-1 understands issue of
road closures in West Hawaii; boards will be helpful in reducing traffic hazards as this is
a means to keep public better informed
Capital Improvement Projects
Six Year Capital Improvements Program: Disseminated to Fire Commissioners a
complete listing of the CIP projects list submitted to the Mayor (copy attached).
• Makalei Fire Station: Continuing to work with the property owners on the site
acquisition, and project continues to move along in the planning/design phase.
• Pahoa Fire Station: Construction continuing. Framing has been erected and roof
panels are being put on.
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Fire Administration & Support Facility: Received our copy of the design contract with
Anbe, Aruga & Ishizu Architects Inc. that was executed 8/31/07, to complete by
8/31/08. Awaiting contact by design consultants to begin preliminary discussions on
this project. Per Public Works, committed to have groundbreaking in 2008. Facility will
be built in three phases —Fire Admin, Dispatch, and Training.
Central Fire Station: Received approval for $25,000 allotment for EA, however in
speaking with consultant, we may have to go out to bid for EA due to projected cost.
Will work with purchasing to facilitate process. Necessary before property can be
subdivided.
• Central Fire Station Retrofit Project: The hose tower door installation, the hose tower
roof work and gutter work have been completed. DPW received the contractor's
proposal for the additional plaster work and paint in the kitchen/dining room and is
reviewing the costing. Also awaiting a revised completion schedule from the
contractor. For now, only remaining work needs to be done in the kitchen/dining room,
however no progress is being made there until DPW approves the cost submittal.
• Captain Cook: Still in design phase for additional apparatus bay.
Keaau: On 8/30/07, Desmond met with representatives of the Kamehameha Schools
Hawaii and the Kamehameha Schools Land Assets Division along with Finance and
Police. This was the preliminary meeting to discuss the County's interest in
establishing a Public Safety Complex on Kamehameha Schools property along H-11
fronting the School. All parties seemed to be interested in the concept. Many details
are yet to be considered, no firm decision has been made. Options being considered
at the Mayor's level.
Promotions and Hiring
Active recruits include:
Open -Competitive Recruitment
• FF Recruit : Agility test to be held on September 29, 2007. Looking at testing top
130 scores. Commissioners welcome to observe event.
Fire Radio Dispatcher I: Two new dispatchers to be hired effective November 6.
With this, we will fill all positions.
Internal Recruitment
• Fire Captain: Opened on September 4; closes on September 14.
• Introductions: Newly promoted Battalion Chiefs Michael Gahan and Jack Pacleb to
be introduced at next month's meeting.
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Projected Retirements
• Updated report passed out to Commissioners which indicate we have 33 employees
with 25+ years of service as of September 1, 2007.
Emergency Operations Division
Prescribed Burn Project and Training Opportunity: Will be participating in project to
eradicate gorse in partnership with DHHL, DOFAW, U.S. Forestry & Wildlife, PTA, and
Public Works on September 19-21, 2007. Opportunity to practice implementation of
ICS with various agencies. Credit to Tomich and Bergin putting together burn plan for
project.
Large Scale Natural Disasters: Trying to implement a consistent practice so all
members will work off same information to convey to public and answer their concerns.
Support Services Division
Auxiliary Services Bureau:
Communication:
• Meeting with Pacific Wireless reps to discuss ways to provide for a Statewide
Interoperability Plan and ways to help fund this plan. Pacific Wireless reps were
available to give us options. Clayton Yugawa asked for support to help make action
plan. Hawaii Fire proactive in trying to have better radio coverage.
Warehouse:
• Maui Fire Dept visited Hawaii Fire Warehouse to exchange ideas. Visit went well
both departments exchanged ideas, both departments gained.
• Worked on PPE and wildland boot specifications, submittal to purchasing in Sept.
Maintenance Shop Section:
• Other projects
Working to complete Plymovent vehicle adapter upfit project.
Heavy rescue committee developing specs for new rescue trucks
EMS Bureau:
• New Ambulance purchase committee met twice - replacement of M-1 (Central), M-3
(Kawailani), & M-7 (Kailua-Kona)
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Training Bureau:
Operations Section
Recruit Training:
34t" Recruit Class- Recruits given new Station assignments on August 1 for their
second of three rotations.
35t" Recruit Class- Recruits still in clinical phase of EMT-B. Targeting them to be out
in the field in November.
36t" Recruit class- Recruits successfully completed 40 hour First Responder Class.
They are approximately half way through their Fire Essentials Training.
37t" Recruit Class- COMPASS and interviews have been scheduled for the first week
in October.
Volunteer Section
Volunteer Chief's Meeting: Next Volunteer Chief's meeting to be held on Saturday,
October 27, at 1000 at the Puuanahulu volunteer station. An open house and blessing
ceremony is also scheduled.
Volunteer Chief's Report by Tom Brandt
Other:
Working with Civil Defense, Police, Data sytems and State Civil Defence on a Statewide
interoperability plan. Met on Oahu to present Hawai'i County's interoperability plan.
New Projects/Business
• Explorer Program: First pilot program got off ground and went very well; 15 students
who participated will now be continuing on to second ride -along phase. Second
Explorer program to begin soon.
• Fire Science: A record number of students (about 45 for two classes-- Introduction to
Wildland and Fire Control and Incident Command Systems and Disaster Control
courses. Only two of these students are career fire fighters.
• HFCA Conference: November 15 to 18, 2007 at the Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu.
• Employee/Public Relations
• 5t" Annual Employees & Awards Dinner: Thanks to Commissioners Maedo, Pomroy
and Bowles for attending the August 17 event. Next year's event is planned for West
Hawaii.
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Fire Prevention Week: To be held on Saturday, October 13, from 0900 to 1300 at Hilo
Bayfront. Static displays, demonstration & bucket brigade. Encourage
Commissioners to put together a team for the Bucket Brigade event. Met with
Commissioner Pomroy to discuss public relations.
Daniel Robert Sayre Foundation Dinner: Held on September 1.
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