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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-08-10 Fire Commission Minutes William P. Kenoi Toby Taniguchi Mayor Chairman Scott Stabo Vice-Chairman Hawai‘i County Fire Commission nd c/o 333 Kīlauea Avenue, 2 Floor, Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720 Phone: 961-8251; Fax: 961-8622 REGULAR SESSION - MINUTES August 10, 2011 Hilo Lagoon Centre Conference Room, 101 Aupuni Street, Suite 145, Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720 CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chair Taniguchi at 10:00 a.m. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Chairman Toby Taniguchi Vice Chairman Scott Stabo Commissioner Kimo Lee Commissioner Greg Henkel Commissioner Byron Moku ABSENT: Commission Laurie Bass Commissioner Kaloa Robinson Commissioner Luahiwa Namahoe A quorum was present. ALSO PRESENT: Lincoln Ashida, Corporation Counsel Jennifer Kualii, Fire Commission secretary Martha Rodillas, Secretary to Lincoln Ashida Darryl Oliveira, Fire Chief Laurie Kaneta, Secretary to Fire Chief Hawai‘i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer Commissioners: Laurie Bass, Greg Henkel, Kimo Lee, Byron Moku, Luahiwa Namahoe, Kaloa Robinson, Scott Stabo and Toby Taniguchi STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Moku moved to approve the Minutes of July 13, 2011 and July 26, 2011. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Henkel and carried unanimously by voice vote. APPROVAL OF WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS Commissioner Henkel moved to accept Communication No. 11-07 and Communication No. 11-08. The motion was seconded by Vice Chairman Stabo and carried unanimously by voice vote. CHIEF’S REPORT Budget: As of this time, nothing new to report on the program budget. The department is in the new fiscal year and things are moving along as planned and budgeted for. Alternative Funding and Grants : th  August 15 – Anticipated opening of the 2011 Assistance to Fire Fighters Grant Program. The department is in the process of assembling a team of grant writers, primarily the rank and file from the department, to pursue the purchase and acquisition of EMS equipment. This will be the first time the department will be going for EMS equipment; the equipment is much needed since it will be replacing all of the EKG units around the island as well as purchase Automated Compression Devices, which will provide automated, uninterrupted chest compressions at a consistent rate and depth during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The other piece to that package is to pursue the purchase of an ambulance vehicle through the grant as well.  FEMA FY 2009 Assistance to Fire Fighters Grant: Nothing to report.  FY 2010 Assistance to Fire Fighters SAFER: No new updates; will continue to work with the procurement office and HR on the volunteer recruitment program video.  FY 2010 CDBG – Tanker/Tender – Pahala Fire: Chassis has been delivered to Freedom Fire and looking at completion sometime at the end of this month with delivery soon thereafter.  FY 2011 CDBG – Fire Apparatus – Pahoa Fire: Currently working with the department’s mechanic on the specifications for the truck and waiting on the source of funds to be confirmed with HUD. 2  FY 2011 DOT Highway Safety Grant: FEO Yoshioka continues to work with the instructor on the training schedule for the motor vehicle extrication class; will inform the Commission once it has been confirmed.  FY 2012 DOT Highway Safety Grant: No new updates on purchase of pediatric spinal boards. Capital Improvement Projects :  Makalei Fire Station: Cement foundation has been poured and still moving on track. Communication is flowing real well between the departments and the contractors. No new updates on any of the other CIP projects. Chair Taniguchi asked Chief Oliveira on the status of the missile impact doors for the Waimea station. Chief Oliveira replied that the work hasn’t started yet; the last update from BC Gahan is they are still trying to get those missile impact doors installed as well as the photovoltaic system. Nothing has moved or changed with regards to Waimea Station. Commissioner Henkel asked Chief Oliveira if the Pohoiki radio relay towers is a CIP project. Chief Oliveira replied, yes; waiting on the narrow band licensing from FCC because it’s moving the repeater to the new site as well as trying to narrow band that repeater, which means complying with the FCC’s mandate of 2013 to be on a narrow band or be on narrow band technology for efficiency and use of the spectrum. Commissioner Henkel stated he is concerned. He’s gone down there and spoke to the lifeguards, they are currently using their cell phones for communication, sometimes they are even without communication, and wanted to give them an update. Chief Oliveira replied that the lifeguards and fire personnel operate off of the existing repeater site. There has always had dead spots in certain areas just because of geography and topography, but as soon as the switch is flipped on the new repeater site, communications will be improved. Chief Kosaki stated communication is still available to be transmitted on Frequency 1. Chief Oliveira clarified that by going to Frequency 1, it opens up the microwave system, it by-passes the repeater and it can hit any repeater on the island. There are several safeguards in place that allow personnel to communicate. 3 Promotions and Hiring: Open-Competitive Recruitments: None in place. Internal Recruitments:  Fire Emergency Medical Services Specialist III: Selectee, Jesse Ebersole, promoted on August 1, 2011.  Fire Rescue Specialist/Fire Hazardous Materials Specialist/Fire Equipment Operator/Fire Captain: Internal recruitment process initiated.  Fire Communications Supervisor: Internal recruitment process initiated. Division Reports : Aquatics Certification Program – requires all personnel to go through a department propriety training program and all chief officers have completed that training. New Equipment – in the process of getting specifications together and working with the County’s purchasing officer on a lease purchase for at least two fire apparatus to upgrade the existing fleet. It has been approved for and budgeted in the current budget for two months of lease purchase payments and this will carry over into the next fiscal year. National Fire Academy – AC Darren Rosario, Fire Inspector Kazuo Todd and Fire Apparatus Trainer Mon-El Kim are currently at the academy. Chief Oliveira stated the status of the aerial truck for the South Kohala station was brought up at the last meeting. All of the training has been completed; positions had to be reassigned that was approved by the Mayor and Managing Director and looking st at a September 1 target date for the truck to be officially on-line and active. Chief Oliveira also noted as previously shared with the commission, that when the department purchased and took delivery of the truck, there was a commitment by the administration to not put that truck on-line until all of the training was completed and until the personnel were proficient of its use due to the risks and hazards associated with this new piece of equipment never before seen in the department. Special Ops:  Hazmat: Received approval to purchase additional gas detectors.  Rescue: Wrapping up the aquatic certification program which has a component tied to rescue in that the department has its own propriety operations certification that qualifies individuals to perform search and rescue operations with water rescue activities.  Project Lifesaver: Chief Kosaki is the lead on this project that is unique to this island. This project has been in place for approximately six years and partners with the Office of Aging, the Alzheimer’s Association as well as another office that deals with disabled individuals. It is for people that are at-risk for wandering due to dementia, Alzheimer’s or other neurological disorders. The agencies are able 4 to work with their caregivers or families and basically puts on the individual, or on one of their belongings, a radio transmitter in the event they should wander or get lost. The search and rescue unit, when they are activated and deployed, can use a radio transmission finder to then track down and pinpoint the location of the missing party.  Sayre Foundation: Currently, Chief Kosaki is working with the Sayre’s on the purchase and delivery of certain equipment that department personnel have identified as things they’d like to have in a rescue company.  Ocean Safety Program: Punalu‘u Beach Park – Chief Kosaki is working with Corporation Counsel, o the County’s Property Management Office, the Planning Department and the Mayor’s Office on the installation of a lifeguard tower. The department has had some challenges with this particular property because where the department would like to place the tower it’s on private property. Hāpuna Beach Park – Chief Kosaki is also working to place a temporary o tower on the north end of the property that would give the ocean safety officers a visual vantage point to observe activities on the far north end of the beach which is on State unencumbered land.  Awaiting the delivery of the new ATV for Hāpuna Beach Park. Funding is through State funding.  New uniform policy for ocean safety officers – there’s a uniform reimbursement program in place. Currently, the department is negotiating and consulting with the union regarding UV protection garments for ocean safety officers. th  State Junior Lifeguard Championships – Held on July 30 at Hāpuna Beach and Kauai took the championship again. Thanks to Chief Kosaki for working with the ocean safety officers on hosting and putting on a really nice event. Support Services Division:  EMS Bureau: Two MICT candidates are still moving forward with their training in class, o they’re in their second month of internship and should be returning home to wrap up their internship in October. Continues to review the partnership the department has with AMR and the o integrations of the AMR into the 911 response system; seeing tremendous benefit in reducing the unnecessary use of advance life support resources from both Hilo and Kona by integrating AMR providing basic life support response as part of our 911 Dispatching system.  Training Bureau: Recruit training continues as planned; in the process of trying to prepare the 15 remaining recruits for their EMT training. 5 Volunteer Program: Tom Brandt reported as follows: th  Next company officers’ meeting is confirmed for September 24 at the Pa‘auilo Gym Annex beginning at 10:00 a.m.  Business cards were at the printers as of last week; something to pass out that has the volunteer company association, the training office phone number and the volunteer website.  There is great interest in the process of selecting the new chief. Most people don’t understand this is a slow process so selections can be done in the most judicious manner.  Mr. Brandt has offered to extend his term for one year versus the normal two year selection process. Chief Oliveira stated there are two other items tied to our volunteer program; it’s the work with the national park on decommissioning of their vehicles and apparatus which could hopefully be provided to the volunteers in Volcano. Chair Taniguchi confirmed that it’s 19 Alpha. Chief Oliveira replied, yes. The other item is the request to Young Brothers to assist with the shipping or reduced shipping costs for a vehicle that would be coming from the federal surplus disposal for the volunteers.  Consolidation of volunteers at the Four Seasons, Kona Village and Kukio properties still continues in the discussion phase; currently awaiting a response from the Four Seasons Corporate office on their acknowledgment and commitment to continue to provide the support for the volunteer program. Auxiliary Services:  Communications Sections – Chief Gahan is working with Public Works and the contractor regarding new dispatch equipment to be installed and reconfigured at that work space. This is also tied to a long term plan which is the ADA/Hazard Abatement construction and renovation for that work area.  Promotion: Fire Radio Dispatcher III Ms. Sandee Ozeki. The Fire Radio Dispatcher III is the line supervisor, actually there taking calls and working with the actual dispatchers. Employee/Public Relations:  American Cancer Society Relay for Life – the Fire Department made a donation of $2,000 on behalf of EMS week. The EMS Week Fun Run and Family event was held in May, proceeds were raised and donated to three firefighters who are battling cancer now and the balance donated to the American Cancer Society. 6  Daniel Robert Sayre Memorial Foundation Awards Ceremony – to be held on rd September 3 at the Fairmont Orchid. Chair Taniguchi asked Chief Oliveira for an update on the smoke detector program. Chief Oliveira replied no progress; still waiting on confirmation for the approval of the funds from the Assistance to Fire Fighters Grant program. Chair Taniguchi asked that relative to the asset procurement, the department has a capital lease to purchase the two apparatus, is the County allowed to do operational leases relative to procurement? Chief Oliveira replied that would probably be a question he would defer to Finance. It is in the department’s budget and not associated with the capital improvement budget which is typically funded through bonds and other sources. th Chair Taniguchi encouraged the Commissioners to participate in the September 24 volunteer company meeting. Chair Taniguchi thanked Chief Oliveira for volunteering to stay on board to afford the Commission the opportunity to go through the process and to be vigilant and mindful of the steps that they are taking. NEW BUSINESS  Discussion of letter from Mark Vaught, Chair of the County of Maui Fire and Public Safety Commission dated July 8, 2011, regarding Request for Support Regarding the Proposed Charter Amendments and/or Recommendations. Commissioner Moku moved to file Communication No. 11-07, transmittal from Mark Vaught, Chair of the Maui County Fire & Public Safety Commission. The motion was seconded by Commission Henkel. Chair Taniguchi stated he doesn’t necessarily understand the dynamics that’s involved and what’s going on on Maui. Commissioner Henkel stated his theory is that it’s kind of a step backwards for Maui. Chair Taniguchi indicated that by virtue of everyone accepting their role as commissioners is self evident, what he doesn’t really know is how this had come about, its background and what is going on politically. There might be a few options; however, Chair Taniguchi feels a little bit uncomfortable putting forth a communication without fully understanding what’s going on. Commissioner Lee stated the Commission cannot support this letter. Commissioner Henkel stated it is outside the Commission’s kuleana. 7 Corporation Counsel Ashida indicated Maui is in the middle of their Charter revision. Each of the respective counties and each of the charters have a provision that every 10 years there’s a mandatory review, which means the Charter Commission is empanelled and required to comb through the charter to make any recommended changes. Like the State constitution, the charters can only be amended, changed and repealed by the voters. Hawai‘i County went through the Charter revision in 2010. Different counties are on a different schedule; Maui’s ballot questions will appear on the 2012 ballot. As the charter requires, Maui’s current practice is that the commission select/hire and fire the chief. There is a proposal being floated in Maui which would essentially repeal that provision and return that authority to the mayor. There are a lot of forces and dynamics at play that even go beyond the Island of Maui. Certain actions taken by the Kauai Police Commission, in their action or inaction in selecting a former chief of police on Kauai, led to a significant push by proponents that should not allow commissions to do this but rather return the authority to the mayor. Corporation Counsel Ashida stated this is a remarkable political fire storm that is going on in Maui. As a Commission, the Commission needs to decide what to do, does the Commission respond, the Commission could respond and say thank you for your letter but basically, what happens in Maui is beyond the scope of this Commission’s jurisdiction. Chair Taniguchi thanked Corporation Counsel Ashida for his insight. Chair Taniguchi indicated he is inclined to agree with Commissioners Henkel and Lee that it is not this Commission’s kuleana and transmit a letter as such. As a professional courtesy, the Commission does have an obligation to respond. Corporation Counsel Ashida also stated he is willing to do the letter. The Commission has all of its minutes and proceedings which are public record, and if Maui so chooses, the Commission can provide those documentations. His concern is that he does not want to see this Commission used in a political process. Commissioner Henkel asked if this matter can be tabled to the next regular meeting and get input from the commissioners that are absent. Chair Taniguchi replied the Commission could certainly do so; Chair Taniguchi also asked Corporation Counsel Ashida to provide the Commission with a draft letter to discuss at the next meeting. Commissioner Moku stated he endorses the position that the Commission doesn’t get involved. Commissioner Moku moved that with the consensus of the Commissioners currently present at this meeting, the Commission draft a response for review stating this Commission is taking no position on the matter and at the next meeting; turn over the latest draft for review by all commissioners. Commissioner Henkel seconded the motion and it was carried unanimously by voice vote. 8 Chair Taniguchi requested to take the agenda out of order and asked the Commissioners if anyone objects. Commissioners: (All nodded negative). COMMITTEE REPORTS Budget & Finance – No report. Office Management and Staffing – No report. Rules and Policies – No report. Public Relations – No report. Training and Education – Commissioner Namahoe absent; Chair Taniguchi did not receive any report. ANNOUNCEMENTS  The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 23, 2011 at 9:00 a.m., at the Hilo Department of Liquor Control Conference Room, 101 Aupuni Street, Suite 230, Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720  The following meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 25, 2011 at 9:00 a.m., at the West Hawai‘i Civic Center, Council Room, Building A, 74-5044 Ane Keohokālole Highway, Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i 96740 Corporation Counsel Ashida addressed the Commission regarding the length of the rd special meetings. He indicated that should the meeting on August 23 go long, the Commission can recess that meeting as long as the Chairman announces at the time of that recess, when the meeting with resume, date, time and place, then the agenda does not to be posted again, it’s like a continuation of the meeting. At 10:50 a.m., Commissioner Henkel moved to go into Executive Session to discuss interview questions and interview process for appointment of fire chief where consideration of matter affecting privacy will be involved and a closed session is requested, and to consult with Corporation Counsel on questions and issues pertaining to the commission’s powers, duties, privileges, immunities, and liabilities. (Pursuant to HRS 92-5 (a)(2) and (a)(4) and Hawai‘i County Charter Section 13- 20(b)). The motion was seconded by Commissioner Moku and carried unanimously by voice vote. At 1:26 a.m., Chair Taniguchi called the Regular Session back to order. Chair Taniguchi stated there is no other business left on the agenda. Chair Taniguchi announced the next meetings will be held on:  Tuesday, August 23, 2011 at 9:00 a.m., at the Hilo Department of Liquor Control Conference Room, 101 Aupuni Street, Suite 230, Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720; and 9  Thursday, August 25, 2011 at 9:00 a.m., at the West Hawai‘i Civic Center, Council Room, Building A, 74-5044 Ane Keohokālole Highway, Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i 96740 ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Lee moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Henkel and carried unanimously by voice vote. Meeting was adjourned at 1:28 p.m. SUBMITTED BY: JENNIFER M. KUALII Secretary 10