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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFire Commission Agenda 1-15-26 Gerald Kosaki, Chair C. Kimo Alameda, Ph.D. Brian Cushnie, Member Mayor Les Hanano, Member Shon Magsalin, Member Wesley Mattos, Member Wayne Perrin Jr.,Member Rick Porter, Member Carlene Wolf, Member Vacant, Member Fire Commission 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 9 • Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720 Phone: (808) 932-2950 • Fax: (808) 932-2949 AGENDA Notice is hereby givenof the following matters to be considered by the Fire Commission of the County of Hawai-Revised Statutes (HRS).Additional meeting instructions and information arelocated at the end of the agenda. DATE:THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026 TIME:9:00 15T A.M. PLACE: 25 AUPUNI ST., SUITE 1401, HILO, HI I.CALL TO ORDERAND ROLL CALL II.PUBLIC STATEMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS 15T Interested persons wishing to provide testimony on any agenda item may do so now or at the time the applicable agenda item is called. III.ELECTION OF THE CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR FOR 2026 Nominations and election of the Chair and Vice Chair of theCommission for 2026pursuant to Commission (Fire Commission Rules) Rule 5(A)(1). IV.APPROVAL OF MINUTES A.November 20, 2025regular session. B.November 20, 2025 executive session. V.ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE PASSING OFFIRE CHIEF KAZUO TODD AND VICE CHAIRSTEVEN HIRAKAMI Hawai‘i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. HawaiiCountyFire Commission Meeting Agenda January 15, 2026 Page 2 The Commission will acknowledge and honor the passing of Fire Chief Kazuo Todd and Fire Commission Vice Chair Steven Hirakami. VI.FIRE CHIEF’S REPORT The Acting Fire Chief or designee will report on the following departmental matters: Administrative Update:Budget, grants, and human resources. Operational & Divisional Reports: Summary of activities from emergency operations, special operations, ocean safety, EMS, training, prevention, and other branches. Program Updates & Highlights:Safety program, emergency operations highlights, and snapshot/stories. VII.UNFINISHEDBUSINESS A.Consideration ofimplementingan employee survey tool as part of the Fire Chief’s annual evaluation process. Continueddiscussion from the November 20, 2025 meeting and other prior meetings. Commissioner Kosaki will report on the additional information he obtained from the Department of Finance,including the budget and the procurement process.(Continued fromNovember 20, 2025 meeting). VIII.NEW BUSINESS A.Consideration ofFire Chief Todd’s annual performance evaluation. The Commission will considerhow to proceed with the annual performance evaluation of the Fire Chiefin light of the Fire Chief's recent passing. B.Appointment of a Temporary Fire Chief. The Commission will discuss the process for selecting and appointing a temporary Fire Chief in accordance withFire CommissionRule 13. Following discussion, the Commission may take action to name a temporary Fire Chief to serve until such time as a permanent Fire Chief is appointed by the Commission. C.Consideration of the Process to Appoint a Permanent Fire Chief. HawaiiCountyFire Commission Meeting Agenda January 15, 2026 Page 3 The Commission will begin discussions onthe process for recruiting, screening, selecting, and appointing a permanent Fire Chief in accordance with Fire Commission Rule 11. Discussion may include establishment of timeline, recruitment strategies, screening criteria, interview procedures, and other elements of the selection process. Following discussion, the Commission may take action to establish procedures and timeline for the permanent Fire Chief appointment process. IX.EXECUTIVE SESSION (CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC) For the following agenda item,the Commission anticipates convening an executive session to considerthecharges, as specified below,against officers or employees of the Fire Department, where matters affecting privacy will be involved,and to consult with the commission’s attorney on questions and issues pertaining to the commission’s powers, duties, privileges, immunities, and liabilities,pursuant to HRS §§ 92-4, 92-5(a)(2), (a)(4),and Charter of the County of H§13-20(b): A.Consideration and Investigation of Complaints. 1.Correspondence No. 25-04: Pertaining to allegations that two officers or employees of the Fire Department violated State and County procurement laws and/or rules, the County of Hawaii’s Code of Ethics, and misused overtime, relating to a Fire Department project. (Continued from November 20, 2025 meeting). X.RETURN TO OPEN SESSION FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION OF EXECUTIVE SESSION MATTERS A.Correspondence No. 25-04, as described in Executive Session item IX(A)(1) above. XI.EXECUTIVE SESSION REPORT Executive sessionreport by the deputy corporation counsel in accordance with HRS § 92-4(b). XII.AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING Consideration ofitems to be placedon the upcoming agenda. XIII.ANNOUNCEMENTS HawaiiCountyFire Commission Meeting Agenda January 15, 2026 Page 4 The Commission’s next regular monthly meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 26, 2026,at 9:00 a.m., Council Chambers, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Kailua-Kona, HI. XIV.ADJOURNMENT Meeting Instructions and Information Submitting Testimony:Those wishing to testify in person mayregister with the Commission Secretary at the meeting. Those wishing to submit written testimony at the meeting are requested tobring 10 copies for distribution. Written testimony may also be submitted prior to the meeting by:(1) mail to Fire Commission 101 Pauahi St., Suite 9, Hilo, HI 96720; or (2) by email to Charisse.Correa@hawaiipolice.gov. Please submit separate testimony for each item and indicate which agenda item your testimony pertains to. Alloral and written testimony will be public record. Notice to Lobbyists:If you are a lobbyist, you must register with the Hawai‘i County Clerk within five days of becoming a lobbyist \[Article 15, Section 2-91.3(b), Hawai‘i County Code\]. A lobbyist means “any individual engaged for pay or other consideration who spends more than five hours in any month or $275 in any six-month period for the purpose of attempting to influence legislative or administrative action by communicating or urging others to communicate with public officials.” \[Article 15, Section 2-91.3(a) (6), Hawai‘i County Code\] Registration forms and expenditure report documents are available at the Office of the County Clerk, 25Aupuni St., Room 1402, Hilo. Board Packet:Pursuant to HRS§92-7.5, the board packet for this meeting is available for public inspection at least three full business days before the meeting date, during regular business hours,at the commission’s Hilo Office located at 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 9, Hilo, HI 96720, and may also be accessed online at https://www.hawaiicounty.gov/departments/fire/fire- commission. Special Assistance:The in-person location for this meeting is accessible to persons with disabilities. If you require an accommodation or auxiliary aid/service or other accommodation due to a disability, contact the commission’s secretary by phone at (808) 932-2950 or by email at Charisse.Correa@hawaiipolice.gov as soon as possible, preferably three (3) days before the meeting date. Requests made as early as possible have a greater likelihood of being fulfilled. Upon request, thisnoticeis available in alternate/accessible formats.