HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-10-09 Fire Commission Regular Minutes
HAWAI‘I COUNTY FIRE COMMISSION
REGULAR SESSION MINUTES
OCTOBER 9, 2013
NORTH HAWAI‘I COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Toby Taniguchi called the meeting to order at 10:04 a.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Toby Taniguchi, Chair
Byron Moku, Vice Chair
Laurie Bass, Commissioner
David De Luz, Jr., Commissioner
Luahiwa Namahoe, Commissioner
Excused: Carol Kitaoka, Commissioner
Kimo Lee, Commissioner
Mapuana Waipa, Commissioner
A quorum was present at 10:39AM.
Also present: Darren Rosario, Fire Chief
Renwick Victorino, Deputy Fire Chief
Wayne Krug, Volunteer Fire Chief
Lincoln S. T. Ashida, Corporation Counsel
Josie Pelayo, Secretary
STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS
None.
At 10:04 a.m., Commissioner De Luz had not yet arrived, and there was no quorum.
Chair Taniguchi tabled ÐactionableÑ items and moved on to the Fire ChiefÓs Report.
FIRE CHIEF’S REPORT
(Including but not limited to the items listed below.)
Fire Chief Darren Rosario highlighted items from his written report:
BUDGET STATUS
FY 2013/2014: Expenditures are at 28% vs. a budget of 25%. Finance has
contingency funds for emergencies such as wildfires.
ALTERNATIVE FUNDING AND GRANTS
HawaiÒi County Fire Commission
Regular Session Minutes
October 9, 2013
Page 2
FY 2012 CDBG Grant for Pahoa Tanker: The tanker arrived on September 11.
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There was some damage during shipping. Training was conducted on the 13
and 14th.
FY 2012 Assistance to Fire Fighters Grant Application: This Fi
Training Grant was approved by the Council Finance Committee and will go to
the full Council on October 16.
FY 2012 Assistance to Fire Fighters Prevention Grant Application: This Smoke
Detector Program Grant was approved by the Council Finance Committee and
will go to the full Council on October 16.
FY 2013 CDBG Grant for Waiakea Quint: Bids for this (quint) ladder truck grant
will close at the end of this month.
Capital Improvement Projects: Kawailani Fire Station Replacement - DLNR
approved transferring of ownership to the County. They have to work on an
environmental impact statement and community response.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES UPDATE
Chief Rosario reported that he had hoped to have face-to-face me
council member but has not yet been able to do that. However, he or a member of
his staff has attended every Council meeting that they were invited to. He attends
monthly cabinet meetings with the Mayor. Staff meetings at the district stations are
being held once every two months. He tries to tie in these meetings with other
meetings.
Chair Taniguchi stated that he understood meetings within the department is an
investment of time, but he wants to be sure that the ChiefÓs vis
department is presented and shared with the entire department.
Chief Rosario stated that there have been challenges with messages getting down
to the rank and file. The departmentÓs VCT does not allow him to address all the
stations at one time, and further, he prefers having face-to-face meetings when
possible.
Vice Chair Moku stated that in this age, face-to-face is becoming less feasible, and
the further use of technology should be considered. This should be a serious
consideration (capital improvement) in the future.
Chief Rosario stated that his meetings with Ocean Safety have been mostly on his
days off at work sites because a lot of them work only on weekends. He has been
attending the volunteer meetings, but when he is unable to, either Chief Honda or
HawaiÒi County Fire Commission
Regular Session Minutes
October 9, 2013
Page 3
Chief Kosaki attends those meetings. They attend all community meetings that the
Mayor requests. Fleet replacement is going well. They again, were directed to work
on a status quo budget with a 5% reduction.
Commissioner De Luz arrived at 10:39 a.m. A quorum was present.
A recruit class for 2014 was approved for 12 recruits. If they have retirements, they
will request additional recruits. They do not have funding for a jet-ski program, but
the program will not be shelved. They are trying to get funds from the County to
staff the north end of Hpuna.
HUMAN RESOURCES DIVISION
Recruitments
Internal recruitments within the Department: Promotions for EMS Specialist II
was done on October 1.
Internal recruitments within the County: A new Human Resources Assistant
started on September 16.
Open-competitive recruitments: The Accountant IV started on September 1.
Labor Relations
Arbitration: A termination hearing ruled in favor of the employer, but they had
to pay one monthÓs salary.
Grievances: A Step 3 was held for a Fire Fighter for loss of compensation
due to his expired State of HawaiÒi Medical ExaminerÓs Certificate. A Step 1
was filed for a Fire Radio Dispatcher and a Water Safety Officer.
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Classification: The 41 Fire Fighter Recruit Class is targeted to be
reallocated to Fire Fighters on October 1.
EMERGENCY OPERATIONS DIVISION
Operations: The new Pahoa truck lost two rear wheels and is being repaired.
Either there was a defect in the studs or the lug nuts were loose. They are not
able to say what specifically happened. Initial talks with the vendor is that they
have not had this happen before. Corporation Ashida suggested that Deputy
Corporation Counsel Lugo look at the warranty agreement. Commissioner De
Luz stated that if this is a defect, it could happen again.
Special Operations
HawaiÒi County Fire Commission
Regular Session Minutes
October 9, 2013
Page 4
Ocean Safety: Recruitment is ongoing for two new full-time positions to cover
the PunaluÓu Tower seven days a week. They have not had any req
transfer to these positions. The Ironman donated funds to purchase a PA
system for Hpuna beach. They have begun the procurement process to
purchase five new lifeguard towers to replace the old wooden towers in Hilo
and Puna.
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Training: The Training Bureau, along with the 42 Recruit Class, participated
in an annual ARFF training burn with the Keahole Airport Crash F
Company.
Volunteer: Volunteer Chief Krug reported that the captainÓs meeting will be in
Paauilo on December 7. He gave his volunteer response log to Chair
Taniguchi. Chair Taniguchi stated that the response log will help when
looking at providing equipment for the volunteers. He encouraged the
commissioners to attend the captainÓs meetings.
Chief Rosario reported that Volunteer Station 7A shut down opera
effective September 17. The equipment was retrieved and issued to other
volunteer companies. The volunteer divisionÓs proposed SOG and district
boundaries were submitted to him for review and approval. They
with driver audits.
SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION
EMS Bureau: Chief Rosario reported that their first Child Passenger Safety
Inspection Clinic was held on September 28 at the Central Station. Eight more
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clinics will be scheduled throughout the island. EMS assisted with the 20
annual KWXX HoÒolaulea.
Prevention Bureau: BC Andrade attended the bi-annual meeting for the Western
Region Fire Code Development Committee in Alaska. Seventeen new codes
were submitted; fourteen passed through committee. They conducted fire and
life safety oversight on the EK Fernandez County Fair in both East and West
HawaiÒi as well as at the Downtown Hilo HoÓolaulea. They have been preparing
for the Fire Prevention Week event at Hilo Bayfront on October 5 and in Kona on
October 26. Preparation continues for the Junior Fire Fighters Safety Guide
Program for K-6 graders.
Dispatch: Monthly 911 statistical reporting was initiated after the installation of
the Intrado System.
Auxiliary Services/Warehouse: Annual safety checklist was init
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Regular Session Minutes
October 9, 2013
Page 5
Maintenance Shop: They are working with DPW and Council Member Onishi on
the roof replacement project.
NEW PROJECTS/BUSINESS
The HawaiÒi Fire Department will be hosting the HawaiÒi Fire Chiefs Association
Conference at the Fairmont Orchid November 7-9.
EMPLOYEE/PUBLIC RELATIONS
This week is the Ironman Championship where visitors are coming from around the
world. They will provide their rescue boat and five personnel to assist in the water.
The air medical helicopter will be staffed. Two chief officers will rotate through the
race center. AMR, a private ambulance company, will take care of the athletes. The
medical tent is prepared for race related injuries. HFD will take care of the public.
Four medical teams will be on AliÒi Drive.
Commissioner De Luz stated that because of the success of the EMS Fun Run, he
heard the police department is looking to do something similar.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Commissioner Namahoe motioned to approve the agenda. Vice Chair Moku seconded,
and it carried unanimously.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 11, 2013
Commissioner De Luz motioned to accept and file the minutes. Vice Chair Moku
seconded, and it carried unanimously.
COMMITTEE REPORTS/UPDATES
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 Moku): No report.
Training and Education (Committee Chair Namahoe): No report.
HawaiÒi County Fire Commission
Regular Session Minutes
October 9, 2013
Page 6
Chair Taniguchi stated that he would like to meet in executive session to discuss their
duties and responsibilities with Corporation Counsel Ashida.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Chair Taniguchi announced that the next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday,
November 13, 2013, at 10:00 a.m., in the Aupuni Center Conference Room, 101 Pauahi
St., Hilo, HawaiÒi.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Vice Chair Moku motioned to meet in executive to consult with Corporation Counsel on
the commissionÓs powers, duties, privileges, immunities, and liabilities. Commissioner
De Luz seconded, and it carried unanimously.
Executive session convened at 11:45 a.m.
Regular session reconvened at 1:08 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner De Luz motioned to adjourn. Commissioner Bass seconded, and it
carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 1:09 p.m.
SUBMITTED BY: JOSIE PELAYO, SECRETARY
APPROVED BY: TOBY TANIGUCHI, CHAIR