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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-03-09FIRE COMMISSION MEETING MARCH 9, 2011 Chief Oliveira is out of state attending the Western Fire Chiefs Association 6th annual President’s Forum in Tucson, Arizona. Budget: • FY 2011/12 Budget Mayor presented his budget to Council on Tuesday, March 1. - Third consecutive year his administration has reduced spending. His proposed operating budget for FY 11/12 is $366,128,000 vs. $375,908,000 for present FY, a 2.6 percent decrease. - Reduced size of government—now have 141 fewer people working for County than at beginning of his administration. - FY 2011-12 cuts funding for 100 vacant positions. - Furloughs will end on June 30 for all County employees, except Mayor’s executive staff. - Implements a payroll lag to save county $6M. Delaying each payment by a day or several days will allow the county to push one payment from FY 11/12 into FY 12/13 for a one-time savings. At this time, we do not know the mechanics of implementation. • For Fire Department: - Will receive one Clerk position for our Human Resources section effective April 1. Position is being transferred from the Mayor’s office. Much needed position, as our staffing has doubled over the past years, but our HR section stayed the same with two positions. Also additional duties transferred from the County’s Department of Human Resources to individual departments, which increased workload. - Funds two months lease for two replacement apparatus. - Will be focusing on filling all vacancies as soon as possible. - Unfunded 12 FF positions last year, as well as this upcoming year. Would like to re-allocate positions to Station 14 for assignment to aerial apparatus. Unfunding of positions does not affect our ability to adequately staff companies/vehicles. • Will be meeting with Council on March 28 at about 1:30 p.m. Anticipating them going through budget with fine tooth comb. • We will have until April 8 to submit any budget changes. - 2 - Alternative Funding and Grants: • FEMA FY 2009 Assistance to Fire Fighters Grant: (254 turn out coats and 251 pants). All PPE purchased through this grant has been distributed to both Emergency Operations and Volunteer personnel. Because the bid for the PPE came in lower than anticipated, we have an opportunity to use excess funds to procure an additional $5,000 for PPE, purchase of portable fire extinguisher props and implement a smoke detector program for seniors. • FY 2009 Assistance to Fire Fighters Fire Station Construction (Makalei). • FY 2010 Assistance to Fire Fighters SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response). Unfortunately, we turned down grant for 20 new positions as County unable to commit to Year 3. Grant would have funded 100% for first two years. It is somewhat disappointing because we worked hard on grant, but if were successful once we can be successful in future submittals. However, did receive typical favorable initial review for Volunteer Retention grant, which if approved will fund marketing program costs to recruit new volunteers, as well as travel costs for professional development and higher education participation for volunteers. (National Fire Academy). • FY 2010 CDBG – Tanker/Tender – Pahala Fire. Assistant Fire Chief of Operations and our Chief Mechanic attended pre-construction meeting with vendor, Freedom Fire. Currently, they are awaiting the chassis from Peterbuilt, and once arrived, it should take three weeks to deliver out of shop. With the extra money as bid came in lower than anticipated, we are working on equipping the tanker. New tanker for Ka’u District on target for June delivery. • FY 2011 CDBG – Fire Apparatus – Pahoa Fire. On February 16, informed by Housing and Community Development that our project will be recommended for CDBG funding for $600,000. However, Federal government’s 2011 budget has not been approved and project funding amount may have to change to accommodate actual amount of grant funds received for 2011 CDBG program. If for some reason do not get sufficient funds, we are in a position to get funding up to $300,000 through Councilmember Fred Blas utilizing Puna Geothermal funds. • FY 2010 DOT Highway Safety Grant: Received notification of $24,000 award for vehicle extrication training. Submitted required documents to DOT and presently awaiting formal notification on use of funds. - 3 - Capital Improvement Projects: • Makalei Fire Station: Bids were opened, and it is really exciting for us as all bids came in well under budget (all bids came in under $7M). Bid should be awarded soon. • Administration & Support Facility: No new updates. • Central Fire Station: No new updates. • Kawailani Fire Station: Working with our County’s property manager to negotiate deal with State for corner lot at Ainaola/Komohana intersection. As of this time, we are officially declining offer of Keone street property. • Ka’u Public Safety Package: Met with Public Works. Bid package is being completed for construction to erect two volunteer garages for Naalehu and Pahala. • Paauilo: No new updates. • DPW ADA Compliance, HazMat Abatement: • Our Laupahoehoe station is waiting on replacement missile impact windows. Honokaa station completed. Waimea waiting on missle impact windows and photovoltaic system. North Kohala is 90% done, waiting for lamp post for ramp. • Pohoiki Radio Re-Location: Recently completed wind load analysis that allows installation of antennas at 90 and 110 feet elevations. We received approval from Helco to install the antennas; working with Pacific Wireless Communications to initiate installation of radios and antennas at this new site. Promotions and Hiring: Open-Competitive Recruitments: • Fire Fighter Recruits: Targeting April 1 to hire 17 candidates for our 40th Fire Fighter Recruit class. Internal Recruitments: In process of initiating recruitments for Fire Captain, Fire Equipment Operator, Fire Hazmat Materials Specialist, Fire Rescue Specialist, and Water Safety Officers positions. Emergency Operations Bureau - 4 - Support Services Division EMS Bureau: • Permission granted by MD Rosen allowing AMR to bill the Pt directly for all PRO QA “non-emergent” calls effective 2/1/11. • FMS II Chris Honda conducted in service training for newly hired Hilo Medical Center Emergency Room RN’s. EMS skills such as Pt extrication from a POV, C- spine precautions and standing takedowns were discussed and practiced. The focus of this pilot program was to facilitate better interagency relationships, share pre- hospital skills to assist the hospital practitioner, as well as, to educate the Emergency Room RN’s as to the capabilities and challenges of the EMS Provider. Training was conducted on 2/7/11. • On February 9th, 11th, and 12th, Fire Recruits successfully passed their EMT-I National Registry written exam on Oahu, completing their EMT training. • On 2/16/11 attended an EMS Providers meeting on Oahu with Dean Patricia O’Hagan of Kapiolani Community College. EMS Providers discussed challenges with continuing education, acquiring pre-requisites for MICT class and preceptor training. Later that afternoon, met with Professor Moeng of KCC to look over the MICT pre-requisite on-line program. KCC is planning to offer an exclusive MICT pre- requisite program for HFD and other State EMS providers. • Delivered our new ambulance to North Kohala Fire station on 2/18/11. Training Bureau: • February 25th Graduation Ceremony for the 39th Recruit Class. Thanks to Commissioners Taniguchi and Robinson for attending. Volunteer Training Section Prevention Bureau • On March 2nd, Prevention Bureau staff did testing of aerial luminary devices; will evaluate fire safety concerns with devices. During the New Years holiday, we stopped sales of these devices and bought up the inventory. Took an aggressive position due to potential fire hazard. The testing will evaluate and qualify the risk — measuring, documenting burn rates, distance travelled, flame lengths. Per Chief Oliveira, we will do things the right way and expressed his kudos for Prevention Bureau for taking the lead statewide. - 5 - Auxiliary Services: Communication Section • 2/02: Pacific Wireless Communications beginning installation of the rest of the Telex Radio Consoles in fire dispatch. • 2/03: Hawaiian Telephone in fire dispatch to install interface equipment for the new Telex consoles and to relocate the 911 call system from the FCS Office to Fire Dispatch Center. Distribution Center: Maintenance Shop: New Projects/Business: • 2011 Legislature: Continuing to monitor various fireworks bills, government operations and fire related bills. Employee/Public Relations • Hilo Start! Heart Walk and Health Fair: ✓ Participated in Heart Walk on Saturday, February 26. Our staff also provided EMS support at event. • American Red Cross Hats Off Campaign: Annual event upcoming on Saturday, April 2 at 4 sites in Kona and 2 sites in Hilo. • EMS Week: continuing to plan for 2011 EMS Week, to be held Sunday, May 29, at Liliuokalani Gardens. Invitations will be sent to all Commissioners.