HomeMy WebLinkAbout031208HAWAII FIRE COMMISSION
FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT
March 12, 2008
Budget
FY 2008/09 Budget: Mayor sent to Council his FY 08/09 budget, which included the
following for our department-
- $1.6 million for helicopter (Chopper 1).
- $193,486 for Isaac Hale Beach Park.
- $85,715 for Fire Protection S &W (department adjustment)
Will be presenting our budget to the County Council on April 1 at 1330.
Alternative Funding and Grants
• FEMA FY 2004 Assistance to Fire Fighters Grant: (Burn Trailer) Still awaiting MOU
for signature from DOT.
• FEMA FY 2007 Assistance to Fire Fighters Grant: (Video Teleconferencing
Equipment) Committee sent out survey to all stations, Training, Dispatch and Admin
to collect data to help them determine station needs. Surveys due by March 14.
• FEMA FY 2007 Fire Prevention & Safety Grant: Status quo. (Strategic Planning
Public Education/Relations committee submitted grant proposal for safety and
education trailer ($103,606).
• FEMA FY 2008 Assistance to Fire Fighters Grant: Opened on March 3; closes on
April 4. Garrett Kim and BC Coloma taking lead to apply for health/wellness
program.
• State Department of Transportation Safe Highways Grant: Grant period has not yet
opened; will apply for OSHA approved safety vests.
Capital Improvement Projects
Makalei Fire Station: Continuing to moving through design process. Met on final
draft design plans to stay within budget: cost projected at $8 million; we have
budgeted $6 million. Trying to see where we can reduce costs without scrimping.
Public comments process opened. Hope to award contract by summer;
groundbreaking by end of year.
Pahoa Fire Station: Still moving on schedule; targeted for May completion;
however, there may be delays for moving into the building due to off site
improvements.
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• Fire Administration & Support Facility: Still moving on plans & design. Phase I:
Seen tremendous increase in cost due to bringing two agencies together. Trying to
work within budget and get built as planned.
• Central Fire Station: Draft Environmental Assessment has been completed and
submitted to the Office of Environmental Quality Control (OEQC) for publication and
public comment.
• Central Fire Station Retrofit Project: Public Works exploring possibility of dry
walling the kitchen area if they cannot do the stucco.
• Captain Cook: Additional apparatus bay will not be built due to concerns regarding
the traffic circulation in the rear parking area. ADA & hazard abatement project will
proceed. Working with Captain Cook crew to secure temporary quarters (off
Napoopoo Road --National Park facility).
• Keaau: No new developments.
• Honokaa: Harry Yada has submitted 2 sites for consideration for the Honokaa
station. These are very preliminary and are parcels that Harry sees that may be
available.
Promotions and Hiring
Open -Competitive Recruitment
• Ocean Safety: Selectee for time position will be hired on March 16. Four
positions for Isaac Hale Beach Park filled on March 1.
• Storekeeper (EMS): Thomas Clark hired March 3. Will be introduced at next
meeting.
Internal Recruitment
• Fire Captain: Assessment Center held on March 10. Presently reviewing results.
• Fire Apparatus Trainer: Applicant being considered; working with HR on details for
movement.
• FEO: (For 2 previously deployed employees). Completed assessment and working
on eventual promotion for Applicants being considered this time for promotions.
Working with DHR on details of promotions since dates will be retroactive (per
USERRA).
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Emergency Operations Division
• Lava FlowNiewinq: AC Mento on loan to Civil Defense as project manager for
eruption.
• CST Exercise: To be held on March 25 for Hazmat personnel (Kona & Hilo)
Ocean Safety
• Met with Councilmember Pilago—moving forward to try to get Big Island study
completed.
Support Services Division
Auxiliary Services Bureau:
Communication Section:
• Security camera installed outside fire dispatch.
Warehouse
Maintenance Shop Section
EMS Bureau:
• ePCR committee met to discuss EMSTAT 5 evaluations and new wireless pen held
in Waimea on February 6, 2008. Users conference to be held in April.
Inspection Bureau:
• Arson Detection Canine Program: Inspector Robert Perreira will be attending a
training to become an arson detection canine handler. Program sponsored by
Firemans Fund Insurance. Once certified, will be the only program in the State.
Training Bureau:
Operations Section
Recruit Training:
36t" Recruit class- Commencing with clinical portion of EMT-B on Medics 1, 3, 5,
10, and Hilo Medical Center.
37t" Recruit Class- Completed First Responder and Haz Mat Operations training.
Explorer Program:
Interviews for third Explorer class held on February 29 with 22 prospective
candidates
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Volunteer Section
• Report by Mack Goddard: FFI training coming along fine. Kanehoa Volunteer
Company coming on line.
New Projects/Business
• Complaint by Anand Angelika: Unable to verify her complaint —no incident in our
RMS.
• GIS Project: Working with Data Systems to create maps with layers to show
incident activity.
Employee/Public Relations
• Hawaii Fire Department 6th Annual Reunion: Event scheduled for March 15
cancelled.
• American Red Cross Hats Off Campaign: Held in Kona and Hilo on March 8 to
raise awareness and money for American Red Cross.
• EMS Week: Continuing to plan for 8th annual EMS Week with grand finale to be
held on Sunday, May 25 with Family Walk/Run event at Liliuokalani Park.
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