HomeMy WebLinkAbout011409HAWAII FIRE COMMISSION
FIRE CHIEF’S REPORT
January 14, 2009
Budget:
• FY 2009/10 Budget: Met with Finance Department on January 12, 2009 to present
our budget. Asked to look into cutting 5% from Other Current Expenses (OCE)
accounts for present FY, and 10% for FY 2009-10.
Alternative Funding and Grants:
• FEMA FY 2007 Assistance to Fire Fighters Grant: (Video Teleconferencing
Equipment) Bid awards made but adjustments necessary due to higher than
expected cost. Number of units reduced from 16 to 14. Will get Polycom prices to
Commissioner Bowles once contract negotiated.
• FEMA FY 2008 Assistance to Fire Fighters Grant: (health/wellness program, total
budget is $531,203) FRS Kim is working with Purchasing on bids for equipment and
medical screening.
Capital Improvement Projects:
Makalei Fire Station:
• December 2008: County Council adopted Resolution 824-08 which accepted the
donation of 2.802 acres of property from GKK Makalei. Details of the dedication
deed are still being worked on through Corporation Counsel and attorneys
representing the owners. Special Use Permit application submitted to Planning
Department for review/approval in December. Process may take approx 3 months.
Pahoa Fire Station:
• December 2008: Retrofit of the exterior walls completed. Interior painting and finish
work is continuing. Large missile impact resistant windows have been ordered.
Contractor still awaiting approval of generator exhaust installation. Off-site road
improvements continuing. Estimated completion date in February-March.
Fire Administration & Support Facility:
• December 2008: Design development is continuing. We’re expecting updated
design plans shortly. In need of additional funding for project.
Central Fire Station:
• December 2008: Final demolition and landscape inspection was conducted on
12/19/08 and final completion was accepted. Still awaiting word from HUD on the
disposition request.
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Captain Cook:
• December 2008: Construction is continuing. HazMat abatement (removal and
replacement of floor tiles) has been completed. Hose tower retrofit is nearing
completion with the installation of an interior concrete wall being erected inside of
the tower. ADA compliance work in the bathroom is continuing, as well as general
building maintenance and earthquake repairs. In addition to required work, we are
also requesting to paint the interior of the station. As part of the overall fire/police
project, a new drywell will be installed at the driveway entrance with excavation
beginning 1/5/09 that may have an impact on limiting access to the fuel pump at the
rear of the fire station. Alternative arrangements have been made with State DOT to
draw fuel from their baseyard.
Promotions and Hiring:
Open-Competitive Recruitment
• Ocean Safety: Interviews conducted on December 5 for WSO Temp (South Hilo),
WSO ½ time (South Kohala) and WSO ¾ time (South Hilo). Start date was
December 16.
Internal Recruitment
• Fire Equipment Operator: Assessment Center exercises conducted on December
6 & 7, 2008. As of January 16, 11 new FEO promotions.
• Fire Captain: Internal recruitment to open on January 12; closes January 23, 2009.
Will keep Fire Commission informed of assessment center as they are welcomed to
sit in.
Emergency Operations Division
• BC officers completed station visitation to pass on all pertinent information to
improve communication.
• New MICTs are on line and utilized as floaters for vacancies within the battalion
• Fleet management project moving forward with vendor formulating the data base for
the program. BC officers working closely with the mechanic shop and Laurine on
this project.
• Hazmat Chemistry class in progress to certify as HazMat Techs.
• Tsunami drill on January 27.
Ocean Safety
• Report by Captain John Kapsky.
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Support Services Division
EMS Bureau:
• Meeting held with representatives from Hawaii Air Ambulance (HAA) & American
Medical Response (AMR) regarding HAA new interisland rotor wing service to
discuss and revise HFD’s Patient Transfer Policies & Procedures.
• In-service on Hawaii Life Flight helicopter – Hawaii Air Ambulance (HAA) new
interisland rotor wing service – for Companies 6 & 12 at Kona Community Hospital
& Company 9 at North Hawaii Community Hospital on December 18, 19, 22, 2008.
Auxiliary Services
Communications:
12/01/08: Pictomtery maps up loaded in dispatch positron mapping system.
12/03/08: Changed out CML computers
12/17/08: FASO attended Civil Defense’s County Emergency System Activation class.
Warehouse:
12/18/08: Received and distributed island map booklets to all department first line
engines and medics.
Maintenance Shop
Apparatus and equipment repair
109 total repairs/service
17 of these were road service calls or trouble calls
Encourage preventive maintenance.
Training Bureau:
Recruit Training:
38th Recruit class:
• Wildland firefighting class. Swim component coming up.
37th Recruit class:
• Completed their EMT-I portion on Dec. 12 and everyone completed and passed the
final by 12/18/08.
• By 12/28/08 everyone had completed their make up hours for their DTR and is now
certified to begin their 50/30 criteria on the medics.
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Volunteer Section
• Report by Tom Brandt.
• Next Volunteer Chiefs meeting on February 21, at 1000 at Laupahoehoe.
Prevention
Fireworks Stats:
• Sold 49 licenses this year vs. 55 last year.
• For New Years, sold 1,437 permits this year vs. 1,797 last year.
• During period 12/30 to 1/1/09, received 205 total calls this year, vs. 274 last year.
Of these calls, 3 were fireworks related, vs. 2 last year.
• Fireworks imported to Big Island (cases):
Novelties: 18,898 this year vs. 23,367 last year. (19% decrease)
Firecrackers: 415 this year vs. 729 last year (43% decrease)
New Projects/Business
• 2009 State Legislature: Meetings with Representatives & Senators, re: home rule
for fireworks.
• Visit to warehouse/dispatch following meeting. Chief Gahan will be available to
transport Commissioners to/from.
Employee/Public Relations
• Station Decorating Contest: Participating stations included:
- Central, Kaumana, Keaau and Honokaa
- Kailua and South Kohala
All stations will receive $100 cash prize award.
• American Heart Walk: Will be participating in annual Heart Walk on February 14,
0800, at Liliuokalani Gardens.
• FF Keoni Reich set a new world record in the law/fire division at the World
Association of Benchers and Deadlifters in Las Vegas in November 2008. He
deadlifted 722 lbs.