HomeMy WebLinkAbout09 Chief's Report for March 10 2021FIRE CHIEF’S REPORT MARCH 10, 2021
I. BUDGET
1) FY 2020/2021 - County Budget
a) We are eight months into our fiscal year budget cycle and our
spending continues to be on track.
b) We continue to work closely with our Finance Director on our
current budget to achieve a balanced budget at the end of the fiscal
year.
2) State Funded Budget Items a) EMS budget is also being worked on and at this time we are still
anticipating 2.5% reduction, we continue to have communications
with the State EMS team. b) We are supporting Hapuna Lifeguards with County funding. Kua Bay funding will end June 30, 2021. c) We continue to reach out to our Legislatures, DLNR, HGEA union
and others to help raise support for State funding of lifeguards at
Hapuna and Kua Bay. 3) FY 2021/2022 – County Budget
a) Status quo budget submitted, we continue to work with the Finance
Director on the supplemental requests, the Fire Chief and his team will present the budget to County Council on April 13, 2021.
II. ALTERNATIVE FUNDING AND GRANTS
1) SAFER Grant – The Mayor and Finance Director gave approval for our
department to apply for the SAFER Grant. This Grant is designed to help
departments increase staffing. The Grant is for a three-year period.
During the three-year grant period, the salary and wages (S&W) are paid
for by the Grant. We have been approved to apply for six Captain
positions to increase staffing at two of the four stations currently with
supervisory FEO’s and three firefighter positions. This is a total of nine
positions which add an additional $1,000,000 to our S&W account in our
budget after the Grant term ends. In previous years, this Grant had a
matching cost. This is the first year that there is no match and the S&W
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for three years is paid 100% by the Grant. This grant opportunity is very
exciting and is a step in the right direction.
2) Daniel R. Sayre Foundation
a) Off Road Tanker for South Kohala Fire Station donated by an
anonymous donor was completed and was inspected on Feb. 22 &
23, 2021. Expected delivery is late March 2021.
b) Off Road Tanker for the North Kohala Fire Station donated by an
anonymous donor will be inspected March 8-11, 2021. With an
anticipated delivery date of mid-April, 2021.
c) Sayre Foundation application for the County of Hawaiʻi Non-Profit
Grant for approximately $70,000 for two Rescue watercrafts and
associated training is moving to the next step which is a review and
presentation on March 8, 2021.
d) Continuing work on the USDA Grant to help support our PPE
(Bunker Gear) needs.
e) Received Rescue boards in February. Awaiting items such as: 2
UTV’s, PA system.
3) FEMA AFG for Covid-19 - we are purchasing PPE and supplies currently
we have spent approximately $220,000.00, we have a balance of approx.
$125,000 left to spend.
4) FEMA AFG for 2021 has been completed and submitted we have
submitted for extractors for all of our fire stations.
III. HUMAN RESOURCES
Recruitment
1) Internal Recruitment within the Department
a) Prevention Inspection I – Opened 02/21/21, Closes 03/02/21. Pending referral list from Department of Human Resources (DHR). Written exam has been scheduled with DHR for 04/15/21.
b) Water Safety Officer (WSO) III – Opened 02/21/21, Closes
03/02/21. Pending referred list from DHR. c) Fire Radio Dispatcher (FRD) III – Two (2) applicants were referred from DHR. Interview/Assessment has been scheduled for 03/10/21. One applicant has voluntarily withdrawn from
recruitment. Tentative hire date 04/01/21.
d) Human Resources (HR0 Technician I – Pending Interview/Assessment scheduling.
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2) Open-Competitive Recruitment a) Fire Fighter Recruit (FFR) Physical Agility Exam (PAE) completed
on 02/27/21. We have 60candidates that are in the Application
Phase of the Recruitment. Deadline for submission is 03/12/21. b) Water Safety Officer (WSO) I – Opened 02/21/21, Closes 03/02/21. Tentatively 35 applications are active. We are targeting the PAE for the first week of April, 2021. Interviews completed and
conditional offers to be sent by 04/19/21. Pre-Entry Medical Exams
to be scheduled last week of April with targeted hire date of 05/17/21 for summer hires. Items for Prevention Bureau Reorganization & Reclassifications
1) Reallocation of Prevention Bureau Positions a) Prevention Inspector II SR 23, Position No. OO-04923 to reallocate up to Fire Captain SR 25.
b) Prevention Inspector SR 23, Position No. OO-04924 to reallocate down to Inspection II SR 21. c) Permanent conversion of pilot project to 24-hour schedule for all positions except BC, Position No. OO-01396 to remain an 8-hour schedule.
d) With conversion to 24-hour schedule, reorganization will be based on Platoon assignments with a Captain and an Inspector I for each. e) Inspector I SR 21, Position No. OO-04924 to transfer to Support Services and reclassified as an IT position.
2) Tasks at hand a) HR has reached out to DHR, C&P for the reallocation and reclassification of positions. b) Union consultation(s) – Chief
c) Targeted for 05/01/01. Upcoming 1) Request for Recruitments were sent to Department of Human Resources
(DHR) a) Fire Radio Dispatcher I – Opened in early March 2021, written exams tentatively scheduled for April 2021. b) Fire Captain – Open later March 2021, written exam scheduled for
early May 2021. c) Fire Equipment Operator – Open later March 2021, written exam scheduled for late May 2021.
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2) Water Safety Officer (WSO) I – There are five (5) summer hires (89-day) with tentative start date of Monday, 05/17/21 thru Friday, 08/13/21
(88 days).
IV. EMERGENCY OPERATIONS DIVISION
1) Apparatus Updates
a) KME Apparatus: E-7 & 17 both placed in service. b) Pierce Apparatus: E-20 placed in service. c) Rosenbauer build (BT-17), expected completion date is March 22,
2021. Final inspection scheduled for March 23 & 24, 2021, in
Lyons, South Dakota. Three personnel attending. 2) Officer Developement Training course for our newly promoted Company officers scheduled for March 1-5, 2021.
3) Promotions for Operations Battalion Chief, Fire Captain’s, Fire Equipment
Operators, and personnel transfers all scheduled for March 1, 2021.
BATTALION 1, East Hawaiʻi
Incidents
1. 02/6/21, Inc# 02609; Rescue: Mauna Kea Summit, District 4. 20’s male rescued after sliding over 700 feet down steep, icy slope. Company 50,
Rescue Company 2 located male party and set up a rope rescue system to successfully extricate male party to safety. Patient found in initial stages of hypothermia, examined by PTA Medic and refused treatment or transport. 2. 02/17/21, Inc# 03489; Structure Fire: Nāʻālehu, District 11, 95-5520 Māmalahoa Highway, commercial animal feed store structure fire, no
fatalities, and no injuries.
3. 02/19/21, Inc# 03482; HAZMAT: Hilo, District 1, 434 Kamehameha Avenue, HAZMAT CO2 leak. Building was evacuated prior to arrival. Incident was mitigated by making entry and shutting the CO2 tank valve. HAZMAT personnel took monitor readings and confirmed atmosphere to be within
normal limits and safe for reentry. No injuries were reported.
4. 02/22/21, Inc# 03635; Rescue, “Narnia”, Wailuku River, District 4. 30’s male on side of embankment with possible hip fracture extricated by Chopper 1. Transported to Hilo Medical Center. 5. 02/23/21, Inc# 03670; Structure Fire: Honomū, District 1, 28-1716 Puako
Street, Suppression able to prevent extension to surrounding areas. No fatalities or injuries reported. Suspicious in nature due to the fact that there were no occupants.
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BATTALION 2 West Hawaiʻi
Incidents:
1. 02/8/21, Inc# 2709; Structure Fire: 734786 Kanalani Street, National Park Headquarters. District 21. 2. 02/11-13/21, Inc# 02928; Brush Fire: Nanea – Kaupulehu mauka of Hwy 19, District 14. Multi-day incident 192 acres.
3. 02/12-15/21, Inc# 2993; Search & Rescue: Missing Person Polōlu Valley Rescue Company 7 and Rescue Company involved. Four day search for 26 yr. old male, negative findings. 4. 02/12/21, Inc# 3025; Search & Rescue: Missing Diver, Mauna Lani Hotel, District 14. 1 DOA recovered on day 2 of search.
5. 02/13/21, Inc# 3048; Search & Rescue: Swimmers in Distress, Hoʻokena, District 6. Two opihi pickers swept into ocean, father and son. Both recovered. 6. 02/13/21, Inc# 3070; Structure Fire: Kulalani Condo’s, District 14. Two-story condo, unattended kitchen fire, no one home, family dog saved and
resuscitated.
Training and Education:
1. 02/19/21 Kona ARFF Triennial Drill, Live Burn Exercise. BC2, FMS G. DeMello, Co. 21, Vol 7B and 9B participated. 2. 02/26/21 Kona ARFF Triennial Drill Daylight Rescue & Recovery Operations Exercise. BC2, FMS G. DeMello, Co. 21, Vol 7B and 9B participated. 3. February 22, 2021 Bayshore Towers high rise and standpipe operations
training with Company 1 and Training Bureau.
Special Services/Events:
1. 02/16/21 Blessing for New Engine 7 at Kailua Fire Station.
SPECIAL OPERATIONS
HAZMAT
1. 2021 Civil Support Team (CST) training with our Hazmat companies set for
March 1-5. a) 03/01/21 Table top exercize at KMR. b) 03/02-04/21 Four shift specific training with the CST. c) 03/05/21 Hilo Medical Center full scale drill and off site Hazmat entry
drill with CST and HPD Special Response Team (SRT) at Keaukaha Military Reserve (KMR).
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2. 1 Hazmat incident CO2 leak, see Inc# 3482 in Battalion 1 above 3. AC Okinaka attended his first Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) meeting. Discussed recent Hazmat incident and ongoing discussions in the
Hazmat community.
Ocean Safety
1. AC Okinaka working with State Highway on a donation of a 42’ office trailer
to replace the current Kahaluʻu office. Kahaluʻu office to be relocated to Kua Bay. 2. iPads have been received. Weʻre waiting on IT support to set up iPads. 3. WSO III (Ocean Safety Lieutenant) recruitment: Tentative interview date
March 17, 2021and hoping to promote on April 1, 2021.
4. Water Safety Officer I (WSO I) recruitment has also begun, Performance Assessment Exercize (PAE) and Interviews scheduled for April to prepare for May Summer hires. 5. Street LG program for Ocean Safety incident reporting moving along.
Tentative deployment in March, 2021.
6. RWC procurement status: Request For Quotes (RFQ) currently open and closing date set for March 2, 2021. Upon closing, we will hope to select a vendor for the purchase of two SKIʻs and sleds.
Rescue
1. Due to a stabilized budget so far this Fiscal Year, we have approved the increase in Dive Rescue Training hours back up to 8 hours, per quarter. This
will allow for a better opportunity for our Rescue personnel to achieve their
required 18 SCUBA dives for the recertification period. 2. Various Rescues and Search incidents listed above.
V. SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION
Training Division
1. A new County Physician has been appointed for Hawai‘i County. The
Training Bureau rescheduled all upcoming Annual Medical Exams up to
September 2021 with Dr. Mitchell of Hawai‘i Family Health.
2. Engine 1-1 is being outfitted as a dedicated training vehicle. This engine will
be used to allow on-duty companies the use of a fire apparatus without
removing first-line pumpers from service.
3. The Training Bureau continued with plans to pave the “Burn Trailer” training
area in collaboration with the Department of Public Works and the State of
Hawai‘i.
4. Flow testing equipment went out for bid.
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5. The Training Bureau participated in High Rise and Standpipe Operations
training with Central Fire Station personnel.
6. Solicitation announcement has been sent out for Driver Improvement
Program auditors. Selected personnel will conduct annual driver audits and
provide training to operations personnel.
Volunteer Training Division
1. Brought newly-promoted Fire Captain Peter Andrade on board as the new West-side Volunteer Training Captain.
2. All Volunteer Companies received hands-on training on fire ground ladders,
including types of ladders, parts, inspection, maintenance, safety, handling, and raising ground ladders. 3. Added one new volunteer to Company 9B, Kanehoa. 4. Began negotiations with the newly-elected Fern Forest Community
Association Board for use of the Quonset hut on association property as a volunteer fire station for Company 5C, Fern Forest. 5. Began distribution of County and State certificates of self-insurance for all volunteer vehicles and apparatus. Distribution will be completed in March.
Emergency Medical Services Bureau
1. The Hawai‘i Fire Department has been given an opportunity to participate with
the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office on an $86,000 mental health first aid education grant. In addition to providing this valuable training to our water safety personnel and paramedics, we will also be supporting community training for about 120-200 individuals.
2. The Emergency Medical Services Bureau assisted the Department of Health
with medical monitoring of post vaccination individuals for adverse reactions. This was done at multiple COVID vaccination clinics island wide. 3. Assisted the Hawaii County Police Department with a night scenario active shooter training at Waiakea High School.
4. The EMS Bureau assisted with a community complaint at our monthly fire
commission meeting. 5. Our Community Paramedicine program continues to have a positive impact in our community. We average a monthly cost savings of $14,000 - $18,000. Additionally, we receive island wide referrals for high utilizers of the 911
system from our fire line personnel and community partners such as the
Department of Health and Adult Protective Services.
Fire Prevention Bureau
1. The Fire Prevention Bureau assisted with the Covid 19 task force and
community outreach. 2. The Fire Prevention Bureau continued the 24-hour schedule and saw many benefits. The Bureau is fully staffed with the assistance of T/A personnel.
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We have seen great improvement in the ability to keep up with our plan review duties. 3. Two Fire Inspector I’s are temporarily assigned to leadership positions as
Captains in the Bureau. This will help as we look forward to holding
promotions this year. 4. The Bureau has continued to adapt our public education programs during these times. We have contributed to two school career day events. One was done via a video and the other through WebEx. We continue to look for more
ways to use technology to educate and assist our community.
5. The Fire Prevention Bureau investigated three fires.
Fire Auxiliary Services/Maintenance Shop/Fire Dispatch
1. Mount, Cradlepoint, and antenna installation has started for our mobile data terminal project and we have completed vehicles for seven of the twenty-one
stations. Installation will be completed in March and then we will begin
working on the next phase of the project. 2. SCBA Maintenance posicheck 3 training was completed in February and is being scheduled for March. 3. The warehouse sent out $15,019.11 worth of personal protective equipment
and station supplies in the month of March (excluding EMS supplies).
4. An order for Lion fire jackets and pants has been opened to departmental personnel and should be compiled by March 15 at an estimated cost of $100k. 5. The maintenance shop had a total of eighty-nine repairs, forty-six service
calls and seven contracted out tows.
VI. New Projects/Business
1. New Fire/Police Joint Dispatch Center has received approval to move
forward. Bid was officially awarded.
2. Approval has been given by the Mayor and Finance Director to add an
Information Technology (IT) position to the Fire Department. This position
would be full time with the Fire Department.
3. The members of the strategic planning committee has been set and meeting
will be commencing once a new Fire Chief is selected.
4. As part of the Chief’s improvement to communication plan video conferencing
cameras were procured and distributed to every station. Currently testing
with stations to verify complete installation. This will help facilitate the staff
meetings that were postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.