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Home My WebLink About2014-05-07 Fire Commission Regular Minutes HAWAI‘I COUNTY FIRE COMMISSION MINUTES OF MAY 7, 2014 AUPUNI CENTER CONFERENCE ROOM 101 PAUAHI ST., HILO, HAWAI‘I CALL TO ORDER Chair Taniguchi called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. ROLL CALL Present: Toby Taniguchi, Chair Byron Moku, Vice Chair David De Luz, Jr., Commissioner Carol Ignacio, Commissioner Mapuana Waipa, Commissioner Kimo Lee, Commissioner (arrived at 11:40 a.m.) Absent: Carol Kitaoka, Commissioner A quorum was present. Also present: Darren Rosario, Fire Chief Renwick Victorino, Deputy Fire Chief Gantry Andrade, Assistant Chief Lance Uchida, Battalion Chief TJ James, Acting Volunteer Commander Melanio Lorenzo, Accountant William Brilhante, Deputy Corporation Counsel Josie Pelayo, Secretary Chair Taniguchi introduced new Commissioner Carol Ignacio from Council District 1. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS (None) APPROVAL OF AGENDA Vice Chair Moku motioned to approve the agenda. Commissioner Waipa seconded, and it carried unanimously. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MARCH 12, 2014 Commissioner De Luz motioned to accept and file the minutes. Commissioner Ignacio seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. Hawai‘i County Fire Commission Minutes of May 7, 2014 Page 2 FIRE CHIEF’S REPORT Chief Rosario introduced Deputy Chief Renwick Victorino, Assistant Chief Gantry Andrade of Emergency Operations, Battalion Chief lance Uchida of EMS in Support Services, Acting Volunteer Commander TJ James from Discovery Harbor, and Accountant Melanio Lorenzo. He highlighted the following from his written report: BUDGET STATUS FY 2013/2014: Mr. Lorenzo reported that expenditures are at 81.27%, well within their target. The contract for Unit 11 was ratified. They did a fiscal impact analysis for pay increases and projected a deficit of $16,140, but it will be covered by the general funds. FY 2014/2015: Chief Rosario reported that Mayor Kenoi provided the Council an amended budget which added a provision for a pilot water craft safety program and additional apparatus. Mr. Lorenzo worked with Terry Joyce of the State EMS. He reported that they received a contract modification and will be getting additional funding for this current fiscal year. They will request emergency funding for next year and hope to get 100% funding for pay increases. In response to an inquiry, Chief Rosario stated that calls for EMS have increased. The State Department of Health bills citizens for ambulance services. If a person is unable to pay, the State may reduce or forgive the bill. ALTERNATIVE FUNDING AND GRANTS FY 2012 Assistance to Fire Fighters Prevention Grant Application: The Smoke Detector Program is moving along as scheduled. FY 2013 CDBG Grant for Waiakea Quint: The apparatus is in the production phase, and they expect delivery in August. Capital Improvement Projects: The Kawailani Station Replacement Project is moving along. Land transfer is going through DLNR. They are working with the Police Department on a joint communications center. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES UPDATE Chief Rosario distributed an update to his goals and objectives. He highlighted items on the written report. They continue to work on the strategic plan. About 20 people signed up to help. They looked at other department’s strategic plans. They looked at their mission and vision statements and core values and want to make it more succinct. They are having a lot of peer support. They consulted with the union in order for the committee members to do a survey. They are exploring the possibility of being self- sufficient in EMS training. He continues to have regular communication with County Council members and the Mayor and his cabinet. Regular meetings with members of the Fire Department continue. Visibility at public events continues. He continues to Hawai‘i County Fire Commission Minutes of May 7, 2014 Page 3 work on the fleet replacement schedule. Measures to ensure proper staffing continues. Expanding Ocean Safety was moved up on the priority list, and funding for a pilot program was approved. They worked with State EMS and got their budget increased. A Bill in the Legislature for new ambulances for Puna and Makalei died in committee, but they will resubmit. Funding is the bottom line for expansion of services. They are behind in national standards for staffing of each fire truck. They generally only have two people on the truck. Every year they put in a request for staffing, but are denied. Battalion Chief Uchida reported that he and others went to the Legislature with multiple proposals for additional funding. Remounting of the mobile medic’s box (compartment) resulted in substantial savings, $70,000 less than a brand new unit. Equipment is changed out as needed. HUMAN RESOURCES DIVISION Labor Relations: Unit 11’s retro-active pay adjustments will be paid on June 15. EMERGENCY OPERATIONS DIVISION Chief Rosario introduced Assistant Chief Gantry Andrade who is now in charge of the Emergency Operations Division. AC Andrade stated that he wants to provide the best service to our community with pride and integrity. Special Operations Ocean Safety: They will not be able to place new tower in Honolii due to the inability to navigate the observation tower (over steep terrain) to its proposed resting place. Instead, they will have to upgrade the current tower. HB1024 (affording indemnity coverage to water safety offices) was extended to cover lifeguards for three more years; it is before the Governor for review. They are awaiting the arrival of 5 new surveyor type lifeguard towers for East Hawai‘i. SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION nd Training Bureau: Graduation for the 42 Fire Fighter Recruit class was held on rd April 12. They plan to start the 43 Fire Fighter Recruit class on June 16. They selected 25 recruits and 2 alternates. Volunteer Division: Chief Rosario introduced TJ James, Volunteer Fire Captain from Discovery Harbor who is also the interim Volunteer Fire “Commander,” replacing former Commander Wayne Krug. Commander James noted the volunteer division received the donated apparatus from the Avalon, CA fire station, and it is now online at the Laupahoehoe site. Commander James reported that at their last meeting, they had a lot of discussion on the position/title of the Volunteer Fire Chief. There is no documentation on the position. It was decided that the position will now be referred to as “Volunteer Commander”. The volunteer captains will elect the new commander at the next meeting which will be held on August 23 at 10:00 a.m. at his home in Discovery Hawai‘i County Fire Commission Minutes of May 7, 2014 Page 4 Harbor. The term is for two years. They will seek nominees in the next couple of months. They are trying to establish an overview of the position. It doesn’t have power over other companies or HFD personnel. It is pretty much a ceremonial position. He further stated that he comes from a community that is very supportive of the volunteer service. They look at it as a necessity. Everyone has a copy of the Standard Operating Guidelines. (Commissioner Lee entered at 11:40 a.m.) Dispatch: They received 45 eligible applicants and are finalizing arrangements to begin assessments. They are trying to hire a few more extras. Chief Rosario stated that Corporation Counsel Lincoln Ashida resigned last month. He always appreciated Mr. Ashida’s legal counsel and what he did for the commission. COMMITTEE REPORTS/UPDATES Budget and Finance (Committee Chair De Luz): No report. Office Management and Staffing (Committee Chair Taniguchi): No report. Rules and Policies (Committee Chair Kitaoka): No report. Public Relations (Committee Chair Lee): No report. Training and Education (Committee Chair Waipa): No report. EXECUTIVE SESSION (None) ANNOUNCEMENTS Chair Taniguchi announced that the next monthly meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 18, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. in the West Hawai‘i Civic Center, Building G Conference Room, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Kailua-Kona, HI. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 11:51 a.m. SUBMITTED BY: JOSIE PELAYO, SECRETARY APPROVED BY; TOBY TANIGUCHI, CHAIR