The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2014-07-09 Fire Commission Regular MinutesHAWAII COUNTY FIRE COMMISSION MINUTES OF JULY 9, 2014 NORTH HAWAII COMMUNITY HOSPITAL 67-1125 MAMALAHOA HIGHWAY, KAMUELA, HAWAII CALL TO ORDER Chair Taniguchi called the meeting to order at 10:25 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Toby Taniguchi, Chair Byron Moku, Vice Chair David De Luz, Jr., Commissioner Carol Ignacio, Commissioner Kimo Lee, Commissioner Absent: Carol Kitaoka, Commissioner Mapuana Waipa, Commissioner Also Present: TJ James, Volunteer Fire Captain, Ocean View Josie Pelayo, Secretary STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS (None) APPROVAL OF AGENDA Vice Chair Moku motioned to approve the agenda. Commissioner Ignacio seconded, and it carried unanimously. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MAY 7. 2014 Vice Chair Moku motioned to approve the minutes. Commissioner Lee seconded, and it carried unanimously. FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT Fire Chief Rosario highlighted items on his written report: BUDGET STATUS ➢ FY 2013/2014: Overall, they were at about 96% of their budget. They felt their budget was managed well. Regretfully, a requested for support vehicles was denied. The department will once again request support vehicle replacement in the upcoming fiscal budget. They are one of a few departments that have been on or right around the budget. Mayor Kenoi has allowed them to get high ticket items such as apparatuses. Support vehicles are additional requests, separate from apparatus. They are in the process of replacing the Kawailani Station which is a high ticket item. Some travel and training was turned down but was later approved. Three of their prevention personnel were sent to the mainland for training. They would like to cut Hawaii County Fire Commission Minutes of July 9, 2014 Page 2 back on electricity costs with photo voltaic systems and energy conservation measures (ECMs). Commissioner De Luz expressed concern that deferred maintenance of facilities could become problematic. Chief Rosario said maintenance costs come out of their budget. He has talked to Mayor Kenoi about citizens' complaints about the looks of Central Station. However, the County's main focus is being ADA compliant. Chief Rosario remarked, EMS Battalion Chief Lance Uchida and Accountant Melanio Lorenzo have done a great job in securing EMS funding from the State. ➢ FY 2014/2015: Their budget was approved, and there were no changes since the last meeting. • ALTERNATIVE FUNDING AND GRANTS ➢ FY 2012 Assistance to Fire Fighters Prevention Grant Application: Home inspections have started in East Hawaii, and smoke detector installations will be scheduled. Two public education talks have been set up in July for the Holualoa and Honaunau senior centers for signups for home inspections and smoke detector installations. ➢ FY 2013 CDBG Grant for Waiakea Quint: Estimated arrival is August 1St. ➢ Capital Improvement Projects: Chief Honda continues to work on the Kawailani Fire Station replacement. They also continue to work on the joint Fire and Police Communications Center. HUMAN RESOURCES DIVISION ➢ Recruitments ✓ Internal recruitments within the County: Robert Perreira will be promoted to Battalion Chief of the Prevention Bureau on July 1. ✓ Open -competitive recruitments: Twenty-five firefighter recruits started on June 16. The Water Safety Officer I classification was amended to only require a driver's license at the time of application. This opened up the applicant pool. They had almost 100 applicants. They have struggled for years to fill the positions. The swimming test is pass or fail. The required training will now be provided internally through their department. Commissioner De Luz said this shows innovation and aggressive action by management. Chief Rosario further stated that they have a large number of great Water Safety Officers who have worked for many years. • EMERGENCY OPERATIONS DIVISION ➢ Operations: The Makani Pahili 3 -day exercise with the USAR team went well. They did two extended rescue/search operations at Kumukahi Point and Malama Flats. ➢ Special Operations ✓ Ocean Safety: They are waiting for the arrival of five new surveyor type lifeguard towers. The first two towers will be for Ahalanui and Honolii. Mayor Kenoi wanted Hawaii County Fire Commission Minutes of July 9, 2014 Page 3 the tower delivered to the Honolii soon. Due to difficulty in taking the tower down to Honolii, they will be using a helicopter outfit from Maui to place the tower on site. The Jr. Lifeguard Program started in Hilo and Ka'u on June 9. A second session will be held in Hilo in July. Sessions in Puna and Kahalu'u will follow. The DeRego Foundation is sponsoring the program at Hapuna. Qualifying Jr. Lifeguards will attend the State Championships on Kauai in August. ✓ Hazmat: A drill was conducted in the vicinity of PGV to establish locations to deploy AreaRAEs to monitor possible chemical release. • SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION ➢ Personnel did a pre -delivery inspection at Kovatch Manufacturing in Pennsylvania for two new custom pumpers for Waimea and North Kohala. AC Honda continues to represent the Fire Department on the Radio RFP Evaluation Committee. He will be evaluating two systems on the mainland. ➢ Volunteer Training: Acting Volunteer Commander TJ James reported that their next scheduled meeting conflicts with the HFD Run in Hilo. They may change the venue to Hilo because some captains want to participate in the run. At the meeting they will hold election for the Commander's position. They have two candidates and will continue accepting nominations until August 1. The nominees and bio will be posted on their website. It will be a secret ballot with a provision for proxy vote. In response to Commander James's concern about brush boots, Chief Rosario stated that they are participating in a state-wide vendor program to purchase three -in -one brush boots. They have to go through procurement requirements. The vendor will come over to do the sizing. He doesn't know when they will get the boots but is hoping it will be in August. Vice Chair Moku reported that 7 Bravo had their annual pancake breakfast last Friday. They had a good turn -out from the community. Commander James stated that Discovery Harbor also has a good relationship with its community. ➢ EMS Bureau: They supported a Level Three Trauma Recertification Survey for Hilo Medical Center and Kona Community Hospital. The trauma surgeon who conducted the survey gave EMS high remarks for their documentation, communication, and patient care. He said it was the best he's seen in his career. The first of a series of "Aloha Training" for all personnel was conducted by Dr. Kimo Alameda. EMS personnel assisted with setting up interviews and videos to customize the training. Personnel's feedback was very positive. ➢ Prevention Bureau: Fire Prevention Inspector Kurashige attended the NFA R206 Fire Investigation and Origin and Cause class. Three structure fires were investigated. Their Arson K9, Ka'imi, was used at two sites. He was also sent to Kauai to assist with the Coco Palms fire. An arson K9 demonstration was held at the American Cancer Society's "Bark for Life". ➢ Dispatch: Fire Radio Dispatcher I interviews were held in June. Hawaii County Fire Commission Minutes of July 9, 2014 Page 4 ➢ Maintenance Shop: The mechanic shop re -roofing project notice to proceed was given to the contractor. DPW has not yet issued the start date. Island -wide DOT inspections were completed. NEW PROJECTS/BUSINESS: The compensation plan review for excluded managers continues. Fire Chief Rosario and Police Chief Kubojiri are co-chairs for the Hawaii Island United Way 2014-15 fundraising campaign. EMPLOYEE/PUBLIC RELATIONS: The County is getting more involved with health awareness. Commissioner De Luz suggested the Fire Department does something similar to the Police Department's "Most Wanted" to get information out to the public. Chief Rosario said they are looking at a Public Information Officer. COMMITTEE REPORTS/UPDATES • Budget and Finance (Committee Chair De Luz): Chair Taniguchi thanked Commissioner De Luz for testifying before the Council in support of the Fire Department's budget. 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, August 13, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. in the Aupuni Center Conference Rm, 101 Pauahi St., Hilo. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 11:52 a.m. SUBMITTED BY: JOSIE PELAYO, SECRETARY APPROVED BY: TOBY TANIGUCHI, CHAIR