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Home My WebLink AboutFire Commission Agenda 2-26-26 J ty OF p. o!!•;' �!y C. Kimo Alameda,Ph.D. v• '�� Gerald Kosaki,Chair Mayor Brian Cushnie,Member ��'�''�• Les Hanano,Member Derwin Ignacio,Member Wesley Mattos,Member +•.°4 o+�'.` Wayne Perrin Jr.,Member >f OF Rick Porter,Member Carlene Wolf,Member Vacant,Member COUNTY OF HAWAI`I Fire Commission 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 9 Hilo,Hawaii 96720 Phone: (808)932-2950 Fax: (808)932-2949 AGENDA Notice is hereby given of the following matters to be considered by the Fire Commission of the County of Hawaii in accordance with the provisions of section 92-7, Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS). Additional meeting instructions and information are located at the end of the agenda. DATE: THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2026 TIME: 9:00. A.M. PLACE: WEST HAWAI`I CIVIC CENTER, BUILDING A COUNCIL CHAMBERS 74-5044 ANE KEOHOKALOLE HWY., KAILUA-KONA, HI I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL II. PUBLIC STATEMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS 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 the Commission for 2026 pursuant to the Rules and Regulations of the County of Hawaii Fire Commission (Fire Commission Rules) Rule 5(A)(1). (Continued from January 15, 2026 meeting). IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. January 15, 2026 regular session. B. January 15, 2026 executive session. V. FIRE CHIEFS REPORT Temporary Fire Chief Volpe or designee will report on the following departmental matters: • Administrative Update: Budget, grants, and human resources. Hawai`i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. Hawaii County Fire Commission Meeting Agenda February 26, 2026 Page 2 • 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. VI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Consideration of the Process to Appoint a Permanent Fire Chief. The Commission will discuss the process for recruiting, screening, selecting, and appointing a permanent Fire Chief in accordance with Fire Commission Rule 11. Discussion may include establishment of a timeline, recruitment strategies, screening criteria, interview procedures, and other elements of the selection process. The Commission anticipates further considering training offered by the Department of Human Resources and the notice of vacancy to be published. Following discussion, the Commission may take action on the above. VII. NEW BUSINESS A. Hawaii County Fire Commission's Annual Report The Commission will review the draft Annual Report, discuss any proposed revisions, and take action as appropriate, including approval of the final report. The Annual Report is a report on the Commission's activities to be submitted to the Mayor, Managing Director, and the Council, in accordance with Fire Commission Rule 4(h). B. Commission's Secretary Position The Commission will discuss the status of the Commission's Secretary position, including the upcoming vacancy effective March 1 , and the absence of a backup position or contingency plan. The Commission may consider possible options and take action as appropriate. Vill. EXECUTIVE SESSION (CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC) For the following agenda item, the Commission anticipates convening an executive session to consider charges against officers or employees of the Fire Department where matters affecting privacy will be involved, as specified below, 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 Hawaii § 13-20(b): Hawaii County Fire Commission Meeting Agenda February 26, 2026 Page 3 A. Consideration of a Draft Confidential Communication to Temporary Chief Volpe Relating to: 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 January 15, 2026 meeting). IX. RETURN TO OPEN SESSION FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION OF EXECUTIVE SESSION MATTERS A. Draft Confidential Communication to Temporary Chief Volpe Relating to Correspondence No. 25-04, as described in Executive Session item VII(A)(1) above. X. EXECUTIVE SESSION REPORT Executive session report by the deputy corporation counsel in accordance with HRS § 92-4(b). XI. AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING Consideration of items to be placed on the upcoming agenda. XII. ANNOUNCEMENTS The Commission's next regular monthly meeting is currently scheduled for Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 9:00 a.m., at the County Building, Suite 1401 , 25 Aupuni Street, Hilo, HI. XIII. ADJOURNMENT Meeting Instructions and Information Submitting Testimony: Those wishing to testify in person may register with the Commission Secretary at the meeting. Those wishing to submit written testimony at the meeting are requested to bring 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. All oral and written testimony will be public record. Hawaii County Fire Commission Meeting Agenda February 26, 2026 Page 4 Notice to Lobbyists: If you are a lobbyist, you must register with the Hawaii County Clerk within five days of becoming a lobbyist [Article 15, Section 2-91.3(b), Hawaii 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, 25 Aupuni 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 tt° s1/ . a ail,coui ,, ,o , d,ea,[�!ineints/tiire/ ireu, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,u ,,,,,,,,,,,,,i, ,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,.............................. c2ii,121,12lissl122. 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, this notice is available in alternate/accessible formats.