HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-10-12 Fire Commission Minutes
William P. Kenoi Toby Taniguchi
Mayor Chairman
Scott Stabo
Vice-Chairman
Hawai‘i County Fire Commission
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c/o 333 Kīlauea Avenue, 2 Floor, Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720
Phone: 961-8251; Fax: 961-8622
REGULAR SESSION - MINUTES
October 12, 2011
Department of Liquor Control Conference Room,
101 Aupuni Street, Suite 230, Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Vice Chairman Stabo at 10:00 a.m.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Vice Chairman Scott Stabo
Commissioner Laurie Bass (arrived at 10:01 a.m.)
Commissioner Kimo Lee
Commissioner Luahiwa Namahoe
Commissioner Greg Henkel
Commissioner Byron Moku
ABSENT:
Chairman Toby Taniguchi
Commissioner Kaloa Robinson
A quorum was present.
ALSO PRESENT:
Lincoln Ashida, Corporation Counsel
Jennifer Kualii, Fire Commission secretary
Darren Rosario, Fire Chief
Noel Ah Choy, Private 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 ADDENDUM AND/OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA
None.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Moku moved to accept the Special Session Minutes of August 23,
2011. The motion was seconded by Vice Chairman Stabo and carried unanimously
by voice vote.
Commissioner Bass moved to accept the Special Session Minutes of August 25,
2011. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Henkel and carried unanimously
by voice vote.
APPROVAL OF WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
None.
CHIEF’S REPORT
Budget:
FY 2012-13 Budget
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Department granted one week extension to November 7 to turn in budget.
Supplemental budget also being submitted; earmarking replacement of
aged apparatus.
Attended a budget orientation class by the Finance Department with
Deputy Fire Chief and Private Secretary.
Alternative Funding and Grants:
FEMA FY 2009 Assistance to Fire Fighters Grant: (Personal Protective
Equipment). Prevention Bureau staff continues to work on both programs – fire
extinguisher training and smoke detector installation. New grant extension
amended to April 1, 2012 to complete the projects.
FY 2010 Assistance to Fire Fighters SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire &
Emergency Response) . No new information.
FY 2010 CDBG – Tanker/Tender – Pāhala Fire. Peterbilt completed the chassis
and shipped it to Freedom Fire Equipment. Chief Rosario and Chief Mechanic
Glenn Maesato will go to Atlanta next week for a pre-delivery inspection to ensure
the apparatus was built to the specifications and to make any corrective
actions needed while it’s still at the plant versus having it shipped and then finding
out there was a critical mistake done. That is standard practice with all new
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apparatus. This apparatus is a 2,000 gallon tanker that will be primarily in the
Ka‘ū district.
Vice Chairman Stabo asked if there are no corrective actions to be taken, is there a
delivery date.
Chief Rosario replied by mid-day on Thursday everything will be finalized. From
there, a representative will drive it to Tennessee to do the undercoating and when
completed, it will be driven to San Diego to be shipped through PASHA in an
enclosed area. Part of the bid specification is for the apparatus to be driven a certain
amount of miles which is why it is being driven from Tennessee to San Diego; this is
part of the break in period and should there be any problems, the apparatus will still
be on the mainland to be fixed. By the end of October, the apparatus should be on
island.
FY 2011 CDBG – Fire Apparatus – Pāhoa Fire. Specifications for the new Pāhoa
fire apparatus have been reviewed by the Purchasing Department and the bid is
in the process of going out. HUD released a $600,000 grant to fund this
apparatus.
FY 2011 DOT Highway Safety Grant: Extrication training completed last week;
the Department received a set of extrication tools (Jaws of Life) from the
instructor and assigned it to the ladder apparatus in South Kohala.
FY 2012 DOT Highway Safety Grant: No new updates. Purchase of pediatric
spinal immobilization boards for medic units to better protect and treat the injured
pediatric patient.
Vice Chairman Stabo asked how many boards the Department is expecting.
Chief Rosario replied in the vicinity of 25 – 30 boards; two boards per ambulance unit
and four spares for a total cost of $12,800.
Capital Improvement Projects:
Makalei Fire Station:
Dormitory pre-cast wall panels are up on building slab.
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Dormitory masons completed trash enclosure and currently working on
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generator pad retaining wall.
Pre-cast apparatus wall panels poured late September.
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Site work contractor is working on installing septic system.
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Administration & Support Facility:No new updates.
:
Central Fire Station No new updates.
Kawailani Fire Station: Working with Councilman Dennis Onishi to look for areas
in the community to get land for a new station. With the Kawailani Roadway
widening project, the roadway is earmarked to be approximately 10 feet from the
dormitory wall which will significantly impact the station to the point that it would
not be safe for personnel.
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Ka‘u Public Safety Package: Awaiting update from Public Works to obtain
contractor to erect buildings.
Vice Chairman Stabo asked if it has been released for bid.
Chief Rosario replied it has not been released for the bid yet.
Paauilo: No new updates.
DPW ADA Compliance, Haz Mat Abatement: No new Updates
:
Pohoiki Radio Re-Location Final meetings held and equipment being transferred
over. Glen Honda did a good job in getting this project together and finally
coming to a conclusion.
Promotions and Hiring:
Open-Competitive Recruitments: Department of Human Resources will do
Request to Fill for vacant Water Safety Officer and Fire Equipment Mechanic
positions.
Internal Recruitments:
Position Title Location Comments
Fire Rescue Specialist Various Internal recruitment process
initiated.
Fire/Hazardous Various Internal recruitment process
Materials Specialist initiated.
Fire Equipment Various Written examination scheduled
Operator on 11/14/11.
Fire Captain Various Written examination scheduled
on 10/24/11.
Fire Communications South Hilo Internal recruitment process
Supervisor initiated.
Battalion Chief South Hilo Assessment Center completed
(Prevention Bureau) on 10/10/11.
Human Resources Admin
Technician
Emergency Operations Bureau:
Special Operations:
Assistant Fire Chief of Operations position is being rotated among qualified
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personnel on a Temporary Assignment basis until promotion process is
completed. Battalion Chief Gerald Kosaki is currently the AC of
Operations.
Large brush fire in the Pohakuloa area which is in the jurisdiction of the
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U.S. Army; assisted with manpower and equipment.
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Hazmat:
Battalion Chief Kosaki attended the Hazmat Continuing Challenge on
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September 6-9, 2011. In addition to the informative information gained in
the classes, he met with many vendors regarding equipment and supply
needs.
Made contact with Liz Galvez from the Department of Health (DOH) HEER
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Division. The DOH will be supplying the Department with two Hazcat kits
to assist with the categorizing of unknown hazardous materials. Training
will be conducted by DOH for the use of these kits in October and
November. This donation saved the Department over $7,000.
Received the approval to purchase four multi Raes with PID capability with
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2 Rae link 3 and docking calibration systems. These equipments were out
in the Ka‘ū and Volcano communities to monitor the SO2 levels when
Halemaumau was erupting and broke down because they were not
designed to be out 24/7. Will be going through a sole source approval to
purchase the systems.
Rescue:
Completed Aquatics Certification Competency program; completed
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approximately 92% of all personnel.
Purchased a new backup Billy Pugh net.
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Completing Memorandum of Agreement with the Coast Guard for a search
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and rescue mission drill. Battalion Chief Kosaki is in charge of working
with the Coast Guard on this drill.
Ocean Safety:
Currently working towards erecting of the Punalu‘u tower. All permits have
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been secured and planned date to begin construction is on October 10,
2011, however, there was a delay from Public Works who requested
additional plans for the construction design of the tower.
There was a request for new surveyor towers on the north end of Hāpuna
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beach overlooking the beach fronting Hāpuna Prince Hotel and for
Punalu’u beach. The Hāpuna surveyor tower has been approved using fair
share funds and the Punalu‘u tower will be purchased with CIP funds.
Commissioner Lee asked if Hāpuna Beach is a State or County park.
Chief Rosario replied a State park and the State provides funding to have lifeguards
at the beach.
Sayre Foundation – puurchased 4 rescue boards, 8 megaphones, 2 AEDs,
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and 13 AED cases. Resolution has passed and working with Laura Sayre
to schedule a dedication of these products.
Jr. Lifeguard Program – grant for $20,000 secured from the Department of
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Liquor to curb underage drinking.
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Support Services Division:
Emergency Operations Bureau:
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September 8 – 10 – four EMS Bureau personnel volunteered their off
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duty time to attend the three day Child Passenger Safety Technician
training course.
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September 23 – two Assistance to Firefighter Grants were submitted on
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September 23. One grant was to update all ambulance EKG machines to
Zoll defibrillators and automated compression devices which can be
integrated with products used at hospitals. The other grant was a
replacement ambulance for Honoka‘a.
MICT Interns Brent Okutsu and Ryan Kreps successfully completed their
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2 rotation of MICT internship on Oahu and are scheduled to start their 3
rotation back with the Department in the first week of October. There are
approximately 15 MICTs targeted for the next class.
Volunteer Training Section:
Volunteer Chief Tom Brandt reported the following:
Business cards are in and were given out at Fire Prevention Week.
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Last meeting held on September 24 was very good.
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Thanked Chief Rosario and Chairman Taniguchi for attending.
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Attended Fire Prevention Week activities last week.
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Currently coordinating with Chief Rosario’s schedule for the next volunteer
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company meeting; will inform the Commission once a date is confirmed.
Establishing a more concerted effort for cross-training with the career side.
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Vice Chairman Stabo asked if the minutes from the meeting are posted on line.
Chief Brandt replied not from the last meeting as there was a problem with the
recorder.
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Chief Rosario stated the September 24 meeting was excellent. There is a
collaborative effort to get the volunteers and line personnel intermixed as far as
training and the bottom line is they both need to work together at incidents to do an
effective job to protect the community.
Prevention Bureau:
Fire Prevention Week – will be in Kona (Lowe’s) on Saturday with the
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same displays as Hilo (Home Depot). Demonstrated two live burns; one
structure was unprotected from any form of fire protection and the other
structure was protected by a residential sprinkler system; it showed the
difference on how a sprinkler system works and how its designed to put out
fires.
Commissioner Lee asked what the estimated cost would be to make it a requirement
to have residential sprinklers in care homes.
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Chief Rosario replied the significant cost is for the meter which runs approximately
$15,000.00. Putting in the actual sprinkler system itself is very negligible compared
to the total cost of the home; it adds about $40 more per month per patient in a care
home. The cost of fire insurance also goes down.
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40 Recruit Class - completed their six weeks of EMT certification.
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EMS/MICT Chris Honda is the lead instructor for the EMT class. Kapi‘olani
Community College (KCC) was not able to provide the education and the
Department entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with KCC to
provide the instruction.
Chief Rosario noted there was a resignation in the Fire Equipment Mechanic shop
and the Department is actively going through the recruitment process for a new
mechanic.
Chief Rosario introduced Captain Renwick Victorino who will be the new Deputy Fire
Chief.
Captain Victorino stated he is truly honored to be selected as Chief Rosario’s Deputy
Fire Chief. It will be a learning experience as he is coming from the operational side
of the Department. He has been in the Department for 18 ½ years and was
previously stationed at South Kohala and Keauhou.
Commissioner Moku asked Chief Rosario what will be the primary responsibilities of
the Deputy Fire Chief.
Chief Rosario replied everyday they are going over how to split up duties. Currently,
Captain Victorino is looking through the Department’s rosters to balance out the
stations; he will be handling all transfers to ensure each station is adequately
manned; all of the internal promotions as far as coming up with the promotional
process and design of it; responsible for looking at alternative funding opportunities
and teaching him parts of the Chief’s job so in his absence, there will be no problem
with the Deputy taking over.
Chief Rosario indicated he is almost completed with the 100-day plan. He’s also put
together a timeline on what’s important and what needs to get done. Last month it
was meeting everyone and getting a feel of the office, this month is tasked with
budget, and the next several months will be meeting with the force to understand
where the Department will be going and to also meet with the Water Safety Officers.
He is also making a commitment to attend all the volunteer company officers
meeting.
Chief Rosario shared that going through the selection process for the Deputy Fire
Chief, it wasn’t something he grabbed out of the air; everything he wanted he found
in Captain Victorino. He worked for the City and County of Honolulu which has a
different agency that runs EMS and he sees the good and bad in that. He’s also
received positive comments from the men in the field which is the most important.
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Commissioner Namahoe commented that’s exactly what she’s heard, that Captain
Victorino has the confidence of the men in the field.
Next, Chief Rosario introduced his private secretary Noel Ah Choy. Noel has been in
the Department as part of their human resources team.
Ms. Ah Choy stated she has been with the County for about 10 years and worked in
the Fire Department’s HR section for about eight months. Being asked to be the
private secretary was unexpected for her; however she enjoys working with the fire
personnel. She noted Chief Rosario is very organized.
Chief Rosario conducted a PowerPoint presentation the Hawai‘i Fire Department’s
structure and mission.
Vice Chairman Stabo thanked Chief Rosario for the presentation.
NEW BUSINESS
None.
OLD BUSINESS
None.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Budget and Finance - Commissioner Taniguchi absent; no report.
Office Management and Staffing – no report.
Rules and Policies – no report.
Public Relations – no report.
Training and Education – no report.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 9, 2011 at 10:00
a.m., at the Hilo Department of Liquor Control Conference Room, 101 Aupuni
Street, Suite 230, Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720.
Set agenda for November 9, 2011 meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
Vice Chairman Stabo adjourned the meeting at 11:49 a.m.
SUBMITTED BY:
JENNIFER M. KUALII
Secretary
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