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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020 Chief's Report for April MeetingCHIEF’S REPORT (04/8/20) I. Budget • FY 2019/2020 • FY 2020/2021 o Budget package received from Finance. II. Alternative Funding and Grants • Daniel R. Sayre Memorial Foundation Funding assistance o Board Meeting held December 27, 2019 o Refer to Special Operations Section for details • USDA USFS Wildland Grant o $50,000 grant funding with a $50,000 county match o Earmarked for Training and equipment. o Still awaiting Final official approval by USDA, received verbal approval • USFA FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant o Grant Committee reviewing projects for 2020 application submittal • Shippers Wharf Grant o Application for funding of Rescue Boat repairs III. Human Resources Division 1) Recruitments a) Internal Recruitment within Department • Fire Captain – Written test notifications to applicants on March 20, 2020. Written exam scheduled for April 24, 2020 at 1000 hours. • Fire Equipment Operator – Applications are currently in the screening process. Written exam scheduled for Tuesday, May 12, 2020 at 1330 hours. b) Open-Competitive Recruitment • Accountant I – DHR referred two (2) applicants that have met MQs, interviews are in the process of scheduling. • FRD I – DHR has referred 33 applicants that have met MQs, interview are in the process of scheduling. • WSO I – Summer hires targeted hire date is May 18, 2020. 2) Employee Development and Training a) County training sessions have been postponed until further notice. b) New Hire Orientation – 49th Fire Fighter Recruit class completed. 3) Labor Relations a) Internal Investigations – ongoing. IV. Emergency Operations Division AC-1 1) AFG update: Grant Application has been submitted successfully. 2) Working on Operational needs for COVID-19 pandemic 3) Worked with Captain Christian Wong on revising the Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) for HFD, and included a pandemic Annex to address situations like COVID-19. 4) Building a COOP team to assist with planning out operational needs for the department a. Immediately addressing the needs for COVID-19 response b. Mid-long term addressing any other response planning needs 5) Worked on acquiring a new PortaCount Respirator fit testing unit for our department. The current test units are out dated and inoperable. The Sayre foundation has purchased a second unit for HFD to complement the need. 6) Teams conducted fit testing for all personnel for N-95 masks to assure compliance with OSHA and personnel safety due to current COVID-29 7) Continues to work with the Sayre foundation on current needs and planning for the 2019 recognition awards and 2020 Equipment request. BATTALION 1, East Hawai‘i Incidents: 1) 2/29, #4592; SAR: Exhausted Hiker, Mana Road/Keanakolu vicinity, Dist 17. 60’s male lost and exhausted. Guiding him by using smart phone and direction, got him to an open area and extricated by C-1. No injuries or t- port by medics. LZ in district 17. 2) 3/1, #4625; STRUCTURE FIRE: on Wilder Road, Dist 4. Companies 1, 3, and 4 prevented roof collapse after arriving on scene and finding heavy extension to the rear and roof of the structure. No injuries reported. Near total loss with estimated $302,175 loss and $33, 575 save. Red Cross assisted residents. 3) 3/5, #4946; RESCUE / EMS: Helicopter “Hard Landing”, Pahoa, Dist 10. Blue Hawaiian Helicopter, 6 onboard and 6 transported to Hilo Medical Center. 4) 3/8, #5162; STRUCTURE FIRE: 15th Ave, Dist 18. Fire originated on the exterior of the house and was prevented from causing any significant damage to the structure. 5) 3/23, #6302; STRUCTURE FIRE: Shell Circle, Dist 10. Single family home fully engulfed upon arrival of first units. Per neighbors, home vacant and possibly used by squatters. Total loss, no injuries. 6) 3/28, #6602 SAR: Assist Coast Guard with identifying if overdue vessel is in port or not. Searched Hilo Harbor, Wailoa Small boat harbor, and Reeds Bay. USCG confirmed later in the day that vessel had safely arrived in Honolulu. 7) 3/28, #6623; STRUCTURE FIRE: 18-1267 Maui Street – District 5. Scene of previous structure fire. Bystanders witnessed someone throwing lumber on the fire. No injuries. Training: 1) Everbridge access set up and familiarization by BC’s. Allows BC to conduct mass recalls for personnel shortage. 2) New Thermal Imaging Camera for BC’s with subsequent training and familiarization. Special Services/Events: 1) AFG grant work by BC Ian Smith, in collaboration with others 2) COVID 19 outbreak and subsequent preparation and management of ongoing situation 3) Personnel movements on 4/1: Staffing and DO arrangements 4) Tsunami Watch, EOC activated. Later stood down. 5) Multiple modules added to Fire RMS to capture COVID19 data with training documentation. BATTALION 2 West Hawai‘i Incidents: 1) 2/29, Inc. #4580; BRUSH FIRE: Dist. 20, Co. 20, 11, T1, E6, BT6, V20A, V11A, V11C, BC2, 1 acre burned fire contained and extinguished, no structural involvement. 2) 3/6, EMS: M7 personnel possibly exposed to COVID-19. In self isolation from 3/6 to 3/9. AAR 3/10 in EMS office. 3) 3/10, Inc. #5277, STRUCTURE FIRE: Dist. 21, Co. 21, 7, 12, 6, BC2, Insp. 2, fire confined to room origin, extinguished and overhauled by Co. 21 & Co.7, Insp. 2 arrived for investigation, no injuries. 4) 3/10, Inc. #5317 STRUCTURE FIRE: Dist. 16, Co16, BC2, PV system fire confined to battery storage area. 5) 3/17, Inc. #5776, STRUCTURE FIRE, Dist. 15, Co. 15, 14, 9, BC2, Insp. 3, fully involved residential structure, all residents safely exited structure, fire contained, extinguished and overhauled by companies on scene, Insp. 3 arrived for investigation, no injuries. 6) 3/22, Inc. #6197, STRUCTURE FIRE, Dist. 15, Co. 15, 14, 9, T16, BC2, Insp. 2- 1, Unoccupied residential structure, approximately 50% involved upon Co. 15 arrival, fire contained, extinguished, and overhauled by companies on scene, Insp. 2-1 on scene to investigate. Training and Education: 1) 3/10, 12 Dive Rescue Training, Rescue Company 7 B Platoon. Special Services/Events: 1) Preparations for COVID-19 pandemic. SPECIAL OPERATIONS AC1 and F2 continue to share the duties of the position and are making good progress. Hazmat 1) HAZMAT ID units update: Units arrived and training for Makalei companies have been completed. Kaumana training postponed due to COVID-19 2) Gas Monitors update: working with FISCAL to finalize procurement requisitions. Ocean Safety 1) AC Okinaka working on WSO Transfers and new hires, scheduled to execute on May 15, 2020 2) RWC expansion program Update: Due to inability to meet the deadlines, the grant has been cancelled 3) Making arrangements for COVID-19 related needs a) Social distancing b) PPE 4) Response guidelines. Rescue 1) Dive Rescue International refresher Training conducted for Kailua personnel, training for Waiakea has been postponed until COVID-19 subsides 2) Plans for Rescue Boat 7-7 (Force): working on getting quote for anticipated retrofits - Awaiting response from Force Marine. Sayre Foundation 1) Purchased a new PortaCount respirator fit testing kit for HFD, to support COVID-19 needs. 2) 2019 equipment acquisitions continues to come in and being issued a) 3- Holmatro E-draulic (Jaws of Life) units for Kailua, North Kohala and Capt. Cook b) 6- FLIR Thermal Imaging cameras for Central, Haihai, Keaau, North Kohala, South Kohala , and HOVE c) High rise kits and flow meters for Central and Waimea 3) Gifting ceremonies will be scheduled following distribution- may be postponed until COVID-19 pandemic subsides. V. Support Services Division TRAINING: 1) Establishment of Covid-19 best practices standards in accordance with Covid- 19 Awareness class and Chiefs memo daily self-monitoring amongst recruits and training bureau. 2) Established CARF’s for the 49th and their county employee email address’ 3) Conens relocated the container from alongside the EMS office. The container no longer sits within violation of the property setbacks thanks to Conens. We have been able to use it for storage down at the Joint Operations Training Site. 4) Freed up parking situation at Sta. 3 by relocating some training equipment into the storage container located down at the Joint Operations Training Site. 5) Prepared groundwork/pier blocks to receive donated shipping containers to establish an onsite outdoor classroom at the Joint Operations Training Site. VOLUNTEER TRAINING: 6) Cancelled all drills for March and April due to threat of Coronavirus and to comply with social distancing standards. Volunteer companies are still available to respond to emergencies, but are advised to avoid grouping together other than for emergencies. 7) Captain Wilson and Pires assisted in the drive through Coronavirus testing in Kailua-Kona on March 23. 8) Verified odometer readings on all Volunteer apparatus on loan from the State at DLNR’s request. 9) Did a thorough cleaning of Station 1A in Pepe‘ekeō. 10) Coordinated with AC2 and BC Baybayan to set up an area at WHCC for Captain Pires to be able to work on the West side. EMS BUREAU: 1) Education: • 48th Fire Recruit class is out on EMT clinicals • MICT class has started 1st rotation (1 of 4). They will return to Hilo on April 13th. They will have grand rounds and begin 2nd rotation • We have begun scheduling in house EMT refreshers • Assisting personnel with NREMT re-certifications 2) Ambulance Fabrication • Our three new medics have begun construction at Braun North West. Anticipated projected completion date is sometime in June. Medics are for Station 7, 9, and 18. 3) COVID-19 • Assisting with Operations – PPE/Response safety/educational updates. • Multiple public education presentation • Working with different vendors for PPE replacement • Assisting with COVID-19 screening • Assisting with possible exposures with HFD personnel – working on communication algorithm; with base stations and critical access hospitals. • Working with AMR on airport protocols – Kona and Hilo Airports. • Working with HOPE Services and the County of Hawai‘i with Homeless assistance. • Assisted with Kamana Senior Center operations and safety of staff and Kupuna. • Involved at the EOC with briefings. 4) PulsePoint presentation for the Hilo Rotary Club. 5) Community Paramedicine Program • Continue to have multiple visits PREVENTION BUREAU: 1) The Fire Prevention Bureau conducted 64 inspections. 2) The Fire Prevention Bureau reviewed 66 construction plans. 3) The Fire Prevention Bureau Investigated 3 fires. 4) The Fire Prevention Bureau continued the 24 hour schedule and saw many benefits, challenges, and continued interest from our Operations personnel. We have 1 TA Inspector participating in the program. 5) Smoke Alarm Program is currently running with assistance from the Red Cross. They have an order for 500 additional devices from the Red Cross. 6) The Fire Prevention Bureau is looking to certify personnel as a NFPA Fire Inspector I. The certification is accredited by Pro Board. 7) The Fire Prevention Bureau was donated smoke alarms from the Pacifica Alliance of Community Health. 8) 2 Personnel has recently been accepted for training at the National Fire Academy. AUXILLIARY SERVICES: This month saw a lot of projects put on the side as we scrambled to find vendors to purchase a variety of medical supplies, safety gear, and cleaning supplies. Currently we have distributed and initial stock to all stations and personnel. While we believe the amount we have is acceptable, it is hard to gauge whether we will have too much, or too little as we can’t predict the growth rate of Covid19 on our island now that social isolation has been enacted and business are shut down. As such we are still pursuing additional purchases of supplies through purchasing and other sources. 1) Covid-19 actions: • Warehouse has been closed to outside visitation, and reorganized to create social isolation for deliveries • Dispatch has been closed to outside visitation • Working on remote work plans to allow workers to continue working from home should conditions get worse • Noelani and Chief Todd will be undergoing to emergency training on Spillman and the Motorola Consoles to allow to work in dispatch in a worst case scenario • We have been scrambling to procure a variety of safety goods to protect our personnel in the current situation. • We have distributed N95s, Face Shields and Gowns to all stations. • All non-emergency or Covid19 purchases have been halted due to emergency 2) Holmatro EVo3 Battery based Extrication tools • Three Stations were given brand new extrication tools at $33.8k per set donated through the Sayre Foundation • Station 7 Kailua, Station 6 Captain Cook, Station 15 Norht Kohala • Station 17 was issued Station 7’s old Hurst EDraulic tools • Next three stations we will be pursuing will be Stations 12, 18, and 1. 3) Purchases/Repairs/Replacement’s in March • STN 16, waiting on quote to repair exhaust muffler, station personnel will be submitting a parts list • STN 5 broken MSA G1 backpack. Waiting on parts • STN 14 Chainsaw quoted at $500, waiting until next fiscal year, issued loaner. • STN 10 backflow preventer leak, estimated 80k gallons of water lost, repaired. • Other Repairs/Discrepancies have been delayed due to Covid 19 situation. 4) Dispatch • We are bringing up the 5th training station to be live to allow for a isolated dispatching location • CD is working on getting Spillman installed at the back up Dispatch site to allow for use of the CAD if we have to relocate. • Working on procedures for TA to FRDIII stating April 1st. • Rapid SOS has launched Jurisdiction view. Waiting on jurisdictional approval • Waiting on recruitment list from HR, 33 candidates have applied and made it passed the HR testing. • National Telecommunicator Week is this month. April 12-18 5) The following Projects are on hold due to the Covid-19 • Working on Volunteer website pages • Working on a contract to add Bullard wipes for after scene decon, and Bullard care kits to contract to issue with the new FXR350 helmets. • Warehouse re-organization project • POE switch project • Mobile Data Terminals Project • Computer replacement project for stations • Plymovent repairs project Maintenance Shop Apparatus and Equipment repair: • 83 total repairs/service • 19 service calls or trouble calls • 9 contracted out and tows VI. New Projects/Business • Working with DPW, Council, and Finance to replace the roof at the Pāhala Fire Station • Coronavirus tracking VII. Employee/Public Relations • As indicated above in Section Reports.