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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-02-12 Fire Commission Regular Minutes HAWAI‘I COUNTY FIRE COMMISSION REGULAR SESSION MINUTES FEBRUARY 12, 2014 AUPUNI CENTER CONFERENCE ROOM 101 PAUAHI ST., HILO, HAWAI‘I 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 David De Luz, Jr., Commissioner Kimo Lee, Commissioner Mapuana Waipa, Commissioner Absent: Carol Kitaoka, Commissioner A quorum was present. Also Present: Darren Rosario, Fire Chief Lincoln S. T. Ashida, Corporation Counsel Josie Pelayo, Secretary STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS None. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner De Luz motioned to approve the agenda. Commissioner Waipa seconded, and it carried unanimously. At the ChairÓs request, Commissioner De Luz motioned to amend his motion by moving Investigation of Complaint HCFC 14-01 to the first item on the agenda. Commissioner Waipa seconded, and it carried unanimously. INVESTIGATION OF COMPLAINT HCFC 14-01 Complainant complained about the manner in which two employees treated her and spoke to her during a transport to Hilo Hospital. LEAH BURNS came before the commission and requested to speak in open session. Burns stated that she already had medical issues, and since the alleged incident took place, every time she takes a step, pain shoots up her leg. Every time she hears a siren, she gets a stab of fear. Not only HawaiÒi County Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes February 12, 2014 Page 2 was she assaulted, the driver told her when she calls 911 they will come to get her. Urgent Care called for her because their hands were tied. She had a melt down in their office. She understands paramedics have a difficult job. She just wanted to share her heart and soul. She believes that based on medical evidence, she had enough of a medical condition that was exacerbated by this situation. Chair Taniguchi thanked Burns for having the courage to come forward with her concerns, and also informed Burns that he was not clear on what she was asking of the commission. Taniguchi noted her complaint form, as submitted to the commission, was incomplete and did not specify the exact basis of her complaint. Ms. Burns stated that she tried to file a report with the police, and they (the police) advised her to file with the Fire Commission. She needs medical help. She could barely walk on Wednesday night because of the pain. She is seeking psychiatric help to identify the role she played. She knows she said some things. As a citizen she needs help because she is facing disability for the rest of her life. In response to questions from the commissioners, Ms. Burns stated that from previous issues she had problems with her knees. The driver told her she had to get out of the ambulance. She knows everyoneÓs emotions were raw. She said, ÐJust so you know, I have all the medical documents,Ñ and alleged the driver said, ÐJust so you know, when you call 911, we will come to get you.Ñ She is concerned about the arrogance of the personnel. She thinks an investigation of the employeesÓ conduct should happen. She felt she was assaulted and threatened when she was told to be quiet or she would be kicked out of the ambulance. ÐWhen somebody pulls you from behind and you are sandwiched, that is assault.Ñ Chair Taniguchi explained the Fire CommissionÓs process, scope and breath of authority. Recess was called at 10:25 a.m. The meeting reconvened at 10:31 a.m. EXECUTIVE SESSION Commissioner De Luz motioned to meet in executive session to consult with Corporation Counsel on questions and issues pertaining to the commission's powers, duties, privileges, immunities, and liabilities; to consider discipline and charges against employees of the HawaiÒi County Fire Department regarding Complaint HCFC 14-01, and to consider sensitive matters relating to public safety HRS 92-5 (a) (2) (4) (6) and the HawaiÒi County Charter Section 13-20 (b). Vice Chair Moku seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. Executive session convened at 10:35 a.m. Regular session reconvened at 10:52 a.m. HawaiÒi County Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes February 12, 2014 Page 3 Investigation of Complaint HCFC 14-01: Complainant complained about the manner in which two employees treated her and spoke to her during a transport to the hospital. Commissioner Lee motioned to exonerate the accused employees. Vice Chair Moku seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF JANUARY 8, 2014 Vice Chair Moku motioned to approve the minutes of January 8, 2014. Commissioner Waipa seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. FIRE CHIEF’S REPORT Fire Chief Darren Rosario highlighted items on his written report: INTRODUCTION OF NEW HIRE AND PROMOTION Assistant Fire Chief of Operations: The position was reposted in order to comply with Human Resources procedures. Accountant IV: New Accountant IV Melanio Lorenzo was introduced. BUDGET STATUS FY 2013/2014: Chief Rosario reported that they have expended 57.89% of their budget. Vice Chair Moku asked Mr. Lorenzo to let them know if he sees anything that would cause an impact whereby they would need to make corrections. Commissioner De Luz stated that the Chief can impact operations, but not with collective bargaining. Chief Rosario stated that they have to pay for the raises from their current budget. FY 2014/2015: Chief Rosario reported that they were imposed a 5% budget reduction. County Finance denied all their supplemental budget requests. He discussed this with Mayor Kenoi, and he will look at it again. Due to the 5% budget cutback, the Fire Department will cut back on its Junior Lifeguard Program, apparatus replacement, some equipment, and the fireworks destruction program. ALTERNATIVE FUNDING AND GRANTS FY 2012 Assistance to Fire Fighters Grant Application: The Fire Ground Protection Survival Course will be held in Kona at the Makalei station next week. FY 2012 Assistance to Fire Fighters Prevention Grant Application: Staff is working on this smoke detector program to identify homes in need. FY 2013 CDBG Grant for Waiakea Quint: They completed a preconstruction meeting with the manufacturer in Pennsylvania and made a prepayment in order to get a discount. Completion is expected in August. Capital Improvement Projects HawaiÒi County Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes February 12, 2014 Page 4 Kawailani Fire Station Replacement: Chief Honda continues to work on this, and DLNR is working on the lease. Corporation Counsel Ashida stated that in the event a board loses quorum, the meeting may continue, but there can be no voting. Commissioner Lee exited the meeting at 11:20 a.m. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES UPDATE Ocean Safety Division Meetings Scheduled: Chief Rosario reported that he met with personnel in Kona (about 10) and in Hilo (about 15). Some people sent in written input. There were concerns about manpower and tort liability. He testified at the legislature about tort liability for water safety officers. Tort liability was extended for three years, not indefinitely as they wanted. This deals primarily with the StateÓs coverage which covers Hpuna Beach. OfficersÓ Meeting: Quarterly meetings will be conducted with chief officers. HUMAN RESOURCES DIVISION Recruitments Internal recruitments within the County: Chief Rosario reported that recruitment continues. Commissioner De Luz asked if mandated positions are shown on the budget. Chief Rosario stated that only EMS has staffing compliance requirements. Chair Taniguchi asked for benchmarks in personnel that show a well-run fire department. It would help to bring in experts to the Finance Department to show they have mandatory compliance issues. Commissioner De Luz stated that HawaiÒi County is unique in that it runs EMS and has a volunteers. He wants the bureaucrats and line personnel to understand the challenges that the fire department has. Chief Rosario stated that the volunteers are a non-funded line item. He likes the idea of bringing in credentialed people. They follow national fire fighters guideline of having four people on the truck. However, when they expanded, they took personnel from other stations. They are trying to get back to four people on the truck. Volunteers are a huge help in the rural districts. Commissioner De Luz stated that as citizens they need to take more responsibility if they want these services in their communities. Chief Rosario stated that regarding Hpuna Beach Park fronting the hotel, it has a tower, but no personnel to staff it. Regarding Dispatch, because of attrition, they want to hire more personnel. Commissioner De Luz suggested they look at national associations for personality assessments for positions; Chief will follow-up. Vice Chair Moku told the Chief that he needs to put more muscle on the human resources department to get more positions filled. HawaiÒi County Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes February 12, 2014 Page 5 Open-competitive recruitments: Two WSO I were hired in January. They received approval to fill 25 fire fighter recruit positions. Performance and agility exams were scheduled for 82 applicants. Labor Relations: A pretermination hearing is being held today for a WSO. EMERGENCY OPERATIONS DIVISION Operations: The fire department assisted in the coordination and development of a disaster and emergency road closure plan with HPD, CD, DOH, and the Army Corp of Engineers. They also assisted in the coordination and development of an Ðactive shooterÑ drill with HPD, DAGS, and the StateÓs Sheriff Department. SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION A preconstruction meeting was held for the Aerial Fire Apparatus for the Waiakea Fire Station. KME is the manufacturer, and completion is estimated for August 1. KME is also building two pumpers which are expected to be completed by May 9. These are replacements for Station 9 and 15. Public Works continues with repairs to the Ocean View Fire Station. They are waiting for bids to reroof the mechanic shop. nd Training Bureau: The 42 Recruit class is currently attending EMT training. Captain Okinaka and FEO Carvalho attended driver training in January at the Honolulu Fire Department. Volunteer Training: Captain Mike Ichimura replaced retired Captain Henry Desa as the West HawaiÒi Volunteer Training Captain. Shipping arrangements have been completed for the apparatus donated by the Catalina Fire Department. It will go to the Laupahoehoe Station. Prevention Bureau: Kyle Vares and Palani Kurashige have passed their probationary period and are now permanent Fire Inspectors. Fireworks were recently destroyed as part of the fire departments program to collect unused and potentially hazardous explosives. Seven pallets of fireworks came from a local vendor. Dispatch: Two Fire Radio Dispatcher I trainees were released because they did not meet the minimum qualifications to move up to FRD II. They have five dispatcher vacancies. Dispatchers are working six days a week, upwards of twelve hours a day. Auxiliary Services/Warehouse: Fire Auxiliary Services Officer B.C. Komatsu attended webinar training on handling personality clashes in the workplace. They are seeking to send more supervisors to county hosted trainings. HawaiÒi County Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes February 12, 2014 Page 6 Maintenance Shop: Chief Honda continues to work with Public Works on the deteriorating roof and water leaks. They continue to have computer failures and connectivity issues. Commissioner De Luz asked for an updated organization chart with position titles. 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: No report. Appointment of new committee chairs: Chair Taniguchi stated that he is looking at succession in moving forward and made the following committee appointments: Budget and Finance: De Luz Office management: Taniguchi Rules and Policy: Kitaoka Public Relations: Lee Training: Waipa ANNOUNCEMENTS Chair Taniguchi announced that the next monthly meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 12, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. in the West HawaiÒi Civic Center Building G Conference Room, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Kailua-Kona, HawaiÒi. At that time they will continue the December 23, 2013, meeting that was recessed. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 11:50 a.m. SUBMITTED BY: JOSIE PELAYO, SECRETARY APPROVED BY: TOBY TANIGUCHI, CHAIR