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Home My WebLink About2012-08-08 Fire Commission MinutesHAWAII COUNTY FIRE COMMISSION MINUTES OF AUGUST 8, 2012 NORTH HAWAII COMMUNITY HOSPITAL CALL TO ORDER Chair Toby Taniguchi called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. ROLL CALL Present: Toby Taniguchi, Chair Kaloa Robinson, Vice Chair Laurie Bass, Commissioner Carol Kitaoka, Commissioner Byron Moku, Commissioner Luahiwa Namahoe, Commissioner Excused: Gregory Henkel, Commissioner Also Present: Gerald Kosaki, Battalion Chief Tom Brandt, Volunteer Fire Chief Lincoln S. T. Ashida, Corporation Counsel Josie Pelayo, Secretary APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Moku moved to approve the agenda. Vice Chair Robinson seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS �Gm APPROVAL OF MINUTES • June 13, 2012: Commissioner Namahoe moved to approve the minutes. Vice Chair Robinson seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. • July 11, 2012: Commissioner Namahoe moved to approve the minutes. Vice Chair Robinson seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT Battalion Chief Kosaki highlighted items on the Chief's written report. • ALTERNATIVE FUNDING AND GRANTS ➢ FY 2011 SAFER Grant: Chief Rosario received word that they did not receive the grant. The grant is to hire more personnel. The current SAFER grant was to hire personnel and cover the cost for three years. After three years, they would have to cover the cost themselves. Hawaii County Fire Commission Meeting Minutes August 8, 2012 Page 2 ➢ FY 2012 Assistance to Fire Firefighters Grant Application: The grant period is now open, and Chief Rosario is working with Battalion Chief Hiyashida on this. Capital Improvement Projects: ✓ Makalei Fire Station: The issue with HELCO concerning an easement has been resolved. Pacific Wireless is waiting for communication equipment. Completion time is expected to be sometime in September. Assistant Chief Honda is working with Public Works Manager Nolan Escalon to keep the project on track. ✓ Ka'u Public Safety Package: The bid has been awarded. The notice to proceed is expected to go out at the end of this week. It is expected to take 40 days to build the volunteer garages. ✓ Hapuna Water Safety Tower: The problem with putting up this tower on the north end of the beach is land ownership. The County cannot put up a tower on land that they do not own. In addition, they need to obtain special permits. Anywhere makai of the shoreline is DLNR (state) ownership. They are working with Deputy Corporation Counsel Brilhante on this matter. • HUMAN RESOURCES DIVISION ➢ Hiring and Promotions: They are currently conducting fire fighter interviews for the September class. 132 people passed the agility test. Out of those, 117 seventeen will be interviewed. About 15 dropped out for various reasons. Out of the remaining candidates, they will hire 18. Note: This number is lower because we were not awarded the SAFER Grant. Promotions for various rank(s) and /or position(s) have been completed. EMERGENCY OPERATIONS DIVISION ➢ Career Division Updates: They are looking forward to the 17th fire fighter recruit class. They are working with Councilman Onishi for a new location of the Kawailani station. Between last week and now, four (4) lifeguard towers in the Four Mile area of Hilo were broken into and items taken. They are looking for better ways to secure the tower, so people cannot reach in and cut the locks. (Commissioner Lee entered at 10:16 a.m.) ➢ Volunteer Division Updates: Upon Chief Rosario Chief's return, they will be requesting a meeting with the Kukio and Four Season's Resort regarding volunteers coming onto and leaving their property. Commissioner Moku will be working with them. Volunteer Chief Tom Brandt stated this was his last meeting as Volunteer Fire Chief. He thanked the commissioners for letting him be their representative, and the go- between the volunteers and commission. It was a good experience for him, and a good opportunity to represent all the volunteer stations on the island. He Hawaii County Fire Commission Meeting Minutes August 8, 2012 Page 3 has been a volunteer for 16 years. There are two people who are interested in his position, with elections to be held at the next volunteer captains' meeting (August 18, 2012 17 Bravo). Chief Brandt further reported that they want to issue yellow informational cards regarding the state Department of Health, open burning ban. Volunteer companies would like to carry the cards to issue to burn violators. Chair Taniguchi thanked Chief Brandt for coming before them to share the concerns of the volunteers, as well as his years of service to the volunteer division, department and community at large. Chief Kosaki reported that as a result of the incident in which a 15 -year old boy disappeared, they had a meeting with the Hawaii Visitor's Bureau, hotels, tour groups, and other agencies in which they shared information. He gave them information regarding their capabilities and how they can get shoreline access. The Hawaii Beach Safety website has a lot of information for every island, beach hazards, lifeguard services, high wind warnings, etc. Each agency gave a presentation on what they do and how they operate. SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION Assistant Chief Honda is doing the coordination for the tankers that they will be receiving. • NEW PROJECTS /BUSINESS There are no new projects. EMPLOYEE /PUBLIC RELATIONS They attended the American Cancer Relay for Life and provided first aid. The EMS Run had about 900 participants, and was a great success. The department has also participated in the Junior Lifeguard Championship on Oahu, with Hawaii Island representatives placing 18th overall. Status of Previous Discussions: Chair Taniguchi asked if the department had a social media policy. Chief Kosaki stated that they do not have a policy. Corporation Counsel Ashida stated that the County does not have a policy that directs all departments in terms of what they can and cannot do. The IT Department leaves it up to each department. The leadership at IT recently changed, and that may change. Even with a disclaimer on Facebook, there could be liability for defamation. The County does not allow live interaction on its site. He suggested that Chief Rosario looked at the Police Department's policy on social media, and have the Chief report back at the next meeting. In response to Chair Taniguchi's inquiry, Chief Kosaki stated that the Council's resolution for equipment from the Sayre Foundation was also for incoming orders. He is working Hawaii County Fire Commission Meeting Minutes August 8, 2012 Page 4 with the Hilo and Kailua stations for a list of required equipment prior to requesting it from the Sayre Foundation. In response to Chair Taniguchi's inquiry about an after action review with the State Hospital regarding the Pahala fire, Chief Kosaki stated that he would bring it up with the Chief. COMMITTEE REPORTS • Budget and Finance (Committee Chair Taniguchi): No report. • Office Management and Staffing (Committee Chair Taniguchi): No report. • Rules and Policies (Committee Chair Lee): No report. • Public Relations (Committee Chair Henkel): No report. • Training and Education (Committee Chair Namahoe): No report. ANNOUNCEMENTS • Chair Taniguchi announced that the next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 12, 2012, at 10:00 a.m., West Hawaii Civic Center, Building G Conference Room, 74 -5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Kailua -Kona, Hawaii. • Chair Taniguchi announced that items for next month's meeting agenda should be submitted to him or Ms Pelayo. • Collection of files and documents — Done. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Moku moved to adjourn the meeting. Vice Chair Robinson seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 10:52 a.m. SUBMITTED: JOSIE PELAYO, SECRETARY APPROVED: TOBY TANIGUCHI, CHAIR