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HomeMy WebLinkAbout010814 January MeetingCHIEF’S REPORT (01/08/2014) I. Budget • FY 2013/2014 II. Alternative Funding and Grant • FY 2012 CDBG Grant for Pahoa Tanker • FY 2012 Assistance to Fire Fighters Grant application • FY 2012 Assistance to Fire Fighters Prevention Grant Application • FY 2013 CDBG Grant for Waiakea Quint • Capital Improvement Projects: A current overview of ongoing projects may include but not limited to: o Kawailani Fire Station replacement III. Goals and Objectives update IV. Human Resources Division 1) Recruitments a. Internal recruitments within the Department • Assistant Fire Chief – Internal Interviews scheduled for December 20, 2013. b. Internal Recruitment within the County • Account Clerk (Temporary not to exceed January 28, 2014) New Hire Jolee Liptrap in place until January 16, 2014. • Human Resources Assistant (Temporary not to exceed September 20, 2015) – Awaiting eligibility list from the Department of Human Services. c. Open-competitive recruitments • Water Safety Officer I – Performance Assessment exercise conducted on November 20, 2013. Interviews conducted on November 22, 2013. Recommended Hires to start January 16, 2014 • Water Safety Officer II – Applicant did not show up for Performance Assessment Exercise on November 20, 2013. There were no other applicants. Position has been temporarily downward reallocated to a Water Safety Officer I position. Recommended hire to start on January 16, 2014. • Fire Equipment Mechanic – Interviews scheduled for January 27 and 28, 2014. • Fire Fighter Recruit – Screening of applicants who passed the written examination is being conducted. Agility test scheduled for February 1, 2014. • Accountant IV – New Hire start date is January 16th. 2) Labor Relations a. Arbitrations: a. Arbitration (WSO suspension of 10 work shifts or 80 hours) pending. b. Arbitration (WSO suspension of 15 work shifts or 120 hours) pending. b. Grievances a. Step 1 meeting for WSO was held on November 18, 2013. Issue involved requiring a doctor’s note for an absence less than five (5) consecutive days. Chief did not approve proposed resolutions. Will proceed to Step 2. V. Emergency Operations Division OPERATIONS: 1) Implementation of new Collective Bargaining Agreement is set for January 15, 2014 as part of a Memorandum of Agreement between HFFA and the employers. 2) Still working on retrofit work for the rear garage at the Kawailani Fire Station to House the new apparatus. SPECIAL OPERATIONS: Ocean Safety: 1) We held our assessment for the vacant WSO I positions and will be filling these positions in January 2014. 2) The Ironman has donated funding through the Sayre Foundation for our Ocean Safety to purchase a PA system for Hapuna beach. This will allow our WSO to be more effective with their preventative actions. We are still awaiting the purchase and then will need to put it through resolution. 3) The bid was awarded for the 5 new lifeguard towers to replace some of our existing towers in east Hawaii. The final specs have been reviewed and the procurement process is moving forward. We are assessing the challenges we will encounter to replace the towers at these remote areas of the beaches. 4) Still awaiting a reply for the consultation with HGEA allowing us to reimburse our WSO a portion of their sunglasses cost. We have addressed their concerns regarding this added benefit for our WSO. 5) We have 2 Water Safety Officers on long term leaves that we are looking to create OX positions for. (OX- Approved temporary hires) 6) The Ironman has donated funding through the Sayre Foundation for our Ocean Safety to purchase a PA system for Hapuna beach. This will allow our WSO to be more effective with their preventative actions. We are still waiting to put it through resolution. 7) The bid was awarded for the 5 new lifeguard towers to replace some of our existing towers in east Hawaii. The final specs have been reviewed and the procurement process is moving forward. We are assessing the challenges we will encounter to replace the towers at these remote areas of the beaches. 8) Still awaiting a reply for the consultation with HGEA allowing us to reimburse our WSO a portion of their sunglasses cost. We have addressed their concerns regarding this added benefit for our WSO. VI. Support Services Division TRAINING BUREAU: 1) The 42nd recruit class has been at the company stations obtaining their 40 hour Type 1 driver training qualification. The recruits have been included in the trial demo of Target Solutions to view CE certified instructions and other training options. On January 6, 2014 they will be going back into the classroom for a two week EMT preparation with Captain Chris Honda. 2) Captain Okinaka along with FMSIII Chris Honda participated in the Hawaii Army National Guard Youth Challenge Academy’s Annual Career Fair on November 13th up at the old Kulani Prison facility. 3) Working on 2 new projects to acquire equipment for Training and Emergency Operations: 1) Applying for Assistance to Firefighters Grant for Driving Simulators to accompany our Driver Training Program that is currently being updated and 2) Working on a justification to acquire Thermal Imaging Cameras for our Engine Companies and Training Bureau through a grant that Civil Defense has been awarded. 4) Hosted another Fireground Survival Training class on November 5th with Instructor Woody Matthews. We trained another 22 personnel. 5) The Training Bureau continues to work on the implementation of Electronic record keeping. We now have a Microsoft Access database file for all of our uniformed personnel’s records thanks to the abilities of FEO Keola Payao who assisted us while on limited duty. 6) The Training Bureau has started a trial demo for an online training application (Target Solutions) that would be used by our department providing another avenue reaching out to all of our personnel. This program would allow us to provide training that would meet NFPA standards, OSHA regulations, and department policies. 7) Still working on 2 new projects to acquire equipment for Training and Emergency Operations: 1) Applying for Assistance to Firefighters Grant for Driving Simulators to accompany our Driver Training Program that is currently being updated and 2) Working on a justification to acquire Thermal Imaging Cameras for our Engine Companies and Training Bureau through a grant that Civil Defense has been awarded. VOLUNTEER TRAINING: 1) Initiated a shadow program for retired Captain Henry Desa. Captain Michael Ichimura shadowed the volunteer captains in November. 2) The Four Seasons volunteer station (Co. 7C) closed its operation as of November 1, 2013. 3) Integrated training with the Pahoa Fire Company 10 with Captain Neil Yoshioka and his crew. Volunteer companies 10D (Ainaloa) and 18A (Paradise Park) participated. 4) Continuing to conduct driver audits for the volunteers, Kalaoa (7B) completed. 5) Captain Henry Desa retired on December 31, 2013. Captain Michael Ichimura will be filling the position on January 16, 2014. 6) There was a Volunteer Captain’s meeting on December 7 held at the Paauilo station 7) Resolutions for contingency funds from Council members were passed for the purchase of equipment and brush boots passed and all of the Council expressed their gratitude to all of the volunteers. 8) revision of their SOGs sent back to Fire Chief and Final SOG Will be printed out for all Volunteer members. 9) Continuing to conduct driver audits for the volunteers and PUC appointments were scheduled for 2014. EMS BUREAU: 1) Supported and attended the Hawaii Fire Chiefs Conference in Waikoloa. Nationally recognized speakers presented on a variety of Fire Service topics, many of which included how EMS has grown to become an essential function of departments throughout the Country. The presentations reinforced the benefit and value of having a Fire Based EMS system established for Hawaii County. 2) EMS Bureau personnel attended a Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) recertification training up at the Hilo Medical Center (HMC) Sim-Lab integrated amongst HMC medical personnel. The training venue was not only stimulating, but encouraged collaboration and communication between partnering agencies. With this new opportunity, it is our intent to improve interagency relations, quality of training and overall patient care. 3) Queens Heart has graciously agreed to sponsor $3000.00 via the Greg Cameron Scholarship Fund to finance a marketing strategy/video for the HFD Hands Only CPR program. The producers of the popular local TV show “DA Braddahs” have also committed to producing this educational and entertaining Hands Only video. 4) Facilitated and attended a Los Angeles Prehospital Stroke Screening (LAPSS) training sponsored by Gentech. Hilo Medical Center (HMC) has initiated a “Stroke Activation” protocol similar to their “STEMI and Trauma Activation” programs. EMS providers have been instructed how to recognize and assess patients for signs and symptoms of stroke. Should the patient fit certain specific criteria, a “Stroke Activation” would be called in from the field to the ER initiating a cascade of resources and protocols. 5) Our MICT Students (5 personnel) successfully completed their MICT 150 and 160 didactic portion of training. Students are now entering the MICT 200 which includes a series of specialty training: Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Advanced Medical Life Support (AMLS), PreHospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS), and Emergency Pediatric Care (EPC). Students are scheduled to start their clinical and internship in the 2nd week of January 2014. 6) Our EMS MICT personnel started ACLS refresher training up at the Hilo Medical Center’s (HMC) Learning Lab. The refresher training was led by Hawaii Fire Department’s Medical Director, MD Judith FitzGerald which intermixed HMC medical staff and HFD EMS Providers. The feedback from the HMC participants (Students) and training staff, as well as our personnel were all extremely positive. Many of the HMC participants were impressed with the knowledge, skills and abilities of our EMS personnel. Our personnel were equally impressed and pleased with the enthusiasm, teaching style and opportunity to network with medical personnel who are apart of the continuum of care. 7) Working with the Hawaii Heart Foundation to bring a free student athlete cardiac screening clinic here to Hawaii Island. The project was done several months ago on Oahu and was successful in identifying unbeknownst and undetected high blood pressure and cardiac abnormalities for several young student athletes. UH Hilo and Athletic Directors from various high schools island wide have expressed interest in this project. 8) Networking with Kent Washington Fire Department on an Incident Reduction Program - “FDCARES”. An MOU was signed to establish FDCARES within HFD. This agreement will provide the framework and software for an a formal Incident Reduction Program to include Fall Prevention and the Multi Disciplinary Team homeless initiative. 9) The Multi Disciplinary Team (MDT) tasked with the dealing with the homeless initiative has experienced continued success. The collaboration and “street” reports provided by our Medic -1 personnel to the MDT has proven to be effective in identifying vulnerable patients and referring them to the appropriate services. January 2014 will begin the Kailua Kona MDT with Medic 7/12 personnel. 10) Our two remount ambulances are near complete and are scheduled to be inspected on January 13th and 14th. If all goes as scheduled, the ambulances should arrive on island in the 3rd week of January and placed into service come February of next year. Medics are scheduled to provide services in Hilo and Waikoloa. PREVENTION BUREAU: 1) Assisted in the planning and logistics for the 2013 HFCA conference. 2) Assisted in the annual inspection process for the Hawaii County Building and the West Hawai‘i Civic Center. 3) Firefighter Safety Guide program. Distributed 16,500 guides, approximately 35% completed them. There were 67 classrooms that had 100% student participation, and 24 schools that have classes with 100% participation. We have already met and devised a plan to increase the student participation even greater. Just a few years ago, the total student participation was at 22%. But 35% by far, is short of where we want this program to be. 4) Continuing the probationary program of both Fire Prevention Inspector I Palani Kurashige and Kyle Vares. They are both exceeding their expectations. 5) Conducted 144 code enforcement inspections, 80 commercial plans reviewed, 16 public education classes, and 3 Fire investigations. 6) Completing all the Fireworks retail site inspections for the upcoming New Year sales. DISPATCH: 1) Working with Hawaiian Tel and Intrado representatives regarding 911 system. 2) Continued training for FDR-1. AUXILLIARY SERVICES/WAREHOUSE 1) Fresh System Training 2) Attended Hawai‘i Fire Chief’s Association Conference. 3) Continual repair to stations plumbing issues. MAINTENANCE SHOP 1) Roof deterioration and water leak in Maintenance Shop reported. Concern of safety regarding area where electrical wire is attached to building as beam is deteriorating. 2) Computer failing and continue to have connectivity issues. 3) Apparatus and equipment repair: 92 total repair/ service 27 service calls or trouble calls 8 contracted out and tows New Projects/Business California Nevada Hawaii (CNH) wildland conference will be held in April. Hosted by State Department of Forestry and Wildlife.l Employee/Public Relations As indicated in above notes.