HomeMy WebLinkAbout011310HAWAII FIRE COMMISSION
FIRE CHIEF’S REPORT
January 13, 2010
Budget:
• FY 2010/11 Budget: Met with Finance Department on January 8, 2010. County is
still facing tight financial situation. Following their meeting with all departments and
upon the Mayor’s review, the status of our budget will be determined.
Alternative Funding and Grants:
• FEMA FY 2007 Assistance to Fire Fighters Grant: (VTC Equipment): Audio Visual
will conduct technical training with Data Systems staff during February. System is
being utilized with good success rate and proven benefits.
• FEMA FY 2008 Assistance to Fire Fighters Grant: (Health/wellness program):
Continues to move forward.
• State Department of Transportation Safe Highways: (25 EZIO units and 20 digital
cameras for medic units). Did not receive funding.
• FEMA FY 2009 Assistance to Fire Fighters Grant: (254 turn out coats and 251
pants. Total grant is $379,672) No updates. No news is good news.
• FY 2009 Assistance to Fire Fighters Fire Station Construction: ($4,113,686 award).
Public Works preparing documents for bid proposal.
• FY 2010 Community Development Block Grant Program: On January 7, submitted
for a replacement fire apparatus for Pahoa ($600,000) and fire tanker/tender for
Pahala (Kau) ($250,000).
Capital Improvement Projects:
• Makalei Fire Station
• Pahoa Fire Station: Formal blessing was held on Saturday, December 12 from
0900 to 1300. Thanks to Commissioners Bowles and Kaoiwi for attending.
• Administration & Support Facility: No updates.
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• Central Fire Station: No updates.
• Pohoiki Radio Relocation: In progress. No updates.
Promotions and Hiring:
• Open-Competitive Recruitment :
FF Recruit: Pre-employment medical screening conducted 1/6 – 1/14/10. We
have 19 applicants/candidates. Targeted hire date is March 16, 2010.
Internal Recruitments:
Fire Captain (Emergency Operations & Training Bureau): Internal recruitment
closed 12/28/09. Currently in application screening phase. Targeted hire date is
04/16/10.
Fire Equipment Operator: Internal recruitment closed 12/28/09. Currently in
application screening phase. Targeted hire date is 04/16/10.
Emergency Operations
• Hokukano and Kealakekua Ranch Fires began. Initial efforts were made to
establish breaks around perimeter of fire. Extinguishment efforts still being made.
Thank you to Commissioner Rosehill for letter expressing challenges with fire.
• Lifeguard Tower Replacement schedule moving forward. Building permits
acquired. Special Operations BC scheduling construction dates for new towers.
• Ocean Safety division working on providing community of Ka ’u with training to meet
the minimum specifications for application process for Water Safety Officer I
positions. Punalu’u Water Safety Officer II positions approved. Goal is to have
interested Ka’u residents eventually work up to a Water Safety Officer II level and
be able to work in their own community.
• Met with US Coast Guard Sector Commander Captain Barry Compagnoni. Briefing
on working together in January or February to discuss the MOU between Hawaii
Fire Department and the USCG.
Ocean Safety
• Report by Captain John Kapsky.
Support Services Division
EMS Bureau:
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• AC Yawata attended quarterly Motor Vehicle Crash Reduction Group (MVCRG)
meeting on December 1, 2009 in Waimea.
• Conducted quarterly QA meeting at Kohala Hospital on December 2, 2009 with
representatives from HFD, AMR, Kohala Hospital administrative staff members and
Dr. Terrence Jones.
• Five candidates started MICT Training on January 11, 2010.
• Began voluntary vaccination of the annual Influenza vaccine of Fire Department
personnel on December 28, 2009 (civilian staff and volunteers).
Auxiliary Services
Communication:
• FASO attended meeting at Civil Defense with Dr. Jenifer Headry to review Hawaii
County’s TIC Plan. Participants at meeting were last year’s table top exercise
attendees.
Distribution Center
• Sent out Safety Vests to paid and Volunteer fire fighters. OSHA- safety.
Maintenance Shop
• New Vehicles
HFD 499 –Heavy Rescue Truck – Station 7 .
HFD 504 – Heavy Rescue Truck – Station 2
Goal is to afford rescue companies the ability to have all, if not most, equipment
available on scene for rescue incidents.
Training Bureau:
38th Recruit class:
• All of the 38th FF recruit class met their requirement and were reallocated to the
Firefighter step of SR 17.
Other Training:
• Sent 4 personnel to a confined space rescue class held at the Puna Geothermal
Venture facility. Personnel from the Pahoa and Waiakea stations participated.
• The lead instructors for the proposed Rescue Basic Training program has been
identified and a course curriculum are currently being developed. We are working
out the scheduling of the lead instructors when conducting the class.
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Volunteer Section
• Report by Tom Brandt.
Prevention
New Years Fireworks stats:
• Issued 20 display permits and 1,496 firecracker permits.
• Fireworks related incidents: 27 (14 east, 13 west). No dollar loss or deaths
reported.
New Projects/Business
• HFCA Conference: Report on HFCA conference. $5,000 donation made to NFFF.
Thank Commissioners for participation and help. Thanks to Commissioner Bertsch
on golf tournament.
Employee/Public Relations
• Hawaii Island United Way: Winners of HIUW campaign are:
- #1: Fire Admin (12 of 14 or 86% participation)
- #2: Dispatch (9 of 15 or 60% participation)
- #3: Captain Cook (9 of 16 or 56% participation)
Total donations $10,514 from 100 employees.
• Station Decorating Contest: Winners are:
Battalion 1: 1-Kaumana; 2- Central; 3-Honokaa
Battalion 2: 1-Keauhou; 2-Kailua; 3-Captain Cook
Thanks to Commissioners Bowles and Robinson for participating in judging.
• American Heart Walk – Invite all Commissioners to participate in American Heart
Association’s 2010 Start! Heart Walk on Saturday, February 20, at Liliuokalani
Gardens. Health fair starts at 7:00 a.m.; Walk starts at 8:00 a.m.