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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-07-20 Fire Commission Regular MinutesHAWAIʻI FIRE COMMISSION REGULAR SESSION MINUTES JULY 20, 2016 AUPUNI CENTER CONFERENCE ROOM 101 PAUAHI ST., HILO, HAWAIʻI CALL TO ORDER Chair De Luz called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. ROLL CALL Present: David De Luz, Jr., Chair Robert Becker, Vice Chair Marcella St. Ambrogio, Commissioner Scott Susman, Commissioner Mapuana Waipa, Commissioner Absent: Ralph Yawata, Commissioner Kimo Lee, Commissioner A quorum was present. Also Present: Darren Rosario, Fire Chief Paul Lakin Volunteer Commander Melanio Lorenzo, Accountant IV Jennifer Ng, Deputy Corporation Counsel Josie Pelayo, Secretary APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Waipa motioned to approve the agenda. Commissioner Susman seconded, and it carried unanimously. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS (None) APPROVAL OF MINUTES June 8, 2016, regular session: Commissioner St. Ambrogio motioned to approve the minutes. Commissioner Waipa seconded, and it carried unanimously. (There was no executive session.) DISCUSSION ON FIRE CHIEF’S WRITTEN REPORT Chief Rosario highlighted items on his written report: · Budget and Finance: Mr. Lorenzo reported that they are in the pre-closing stage of the Fire Department’s expenditures. They have a balance of over $850,000. Chief Rosario reported that they had two approved apparatuses in their budget. However, in February, the County’s finance was looking lean, and County Finance cancelled the purchase of two apparatuses that were approved and in the budget. Hawaiʻi Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes July 20, 2016 Page 2 Commissioner St. Ambrogio asked how they handle the overtime budget when they have emergencies such as brush fires and hurricanes. Chief Rosario stated that they cut non-emergency overtime such as training. They used to do quarterly captain’s meetings. Now, they do station meetings with chief officers. They start the year by bringing in people for meetings, and then cut back when needed. Mr. Lorenzo stated that expenses above $5,000 must go before the ERC. Chair De Luz stated that this administration expects a balance. The Chief was not allowed to purchase approved equipment. At the end of the day, the Chief’s CEO is the Mayor. Vice Chair Becker stated that the budget now shows an $800,000 balance. He asked how get the message out (explanation). Chief Rosario reported that this Friday, they have their staff meeting. In this day, personnel want an explanation. Right now 100% of funded positions are filled, although the funded positions are not up to national standards. Mr. Lorenzo stated that the 2016/17 budget is status quo except for salaries and wages. Chief Rosario reported that the Kailua and Central ambulances will be replaced. That budget item comes from the State. They operate 15 ALS units and a helicopter for $15 million. They are looking for two ALS locations in Puna. Having one at the HPP Fire Station will not work out, so they are looking at having two units at the Pāhoa Fire Station. The State EMS will make the decision. More recently, requests for services in Puna have exploded. There has been a lot of interest in establishing more volunteer fire stations. However, they need a minimum of $700,000 to start a volunteer station. They got approval for a replacement tanker for Waimea and Pahala and a 4X4 response vehicle for Waipiʻo. · Alternative Funding and Grants: The 2015 CBDG Pāhoa Brush Truck Apparatus Project is expected to be completed on July 22. The 2016 CDBG application for the Wildland Pumper Apparatus for Pahala was approved. They have not yet received notification on the 2015 Assistance to Fire Fighter’s Grant. They are encountering a lot of roadblocks on the Office of Aging Grant for a community based paramedic pilot program in West Hawaiʻi. · Human Resources Division: Random drug and alcohol tests are conducted for helicopter pilots. The FAA desk audit was completed with no issues. In December, there will be 25 personal who qualify for 25 years of service retirement. Hawaiʻi Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes July 20, 2016 Page 3 · Emergency Operations Division ü Hazmat: Personnel attended class on Incident Response to Terroristic Bombings which was funded by State Civil Defense. The LEPC’s web page is now on the County’s website. ü Rescue: The initial Confined Space classes have been completed. Hazmat and other personnel will also be trained. Training is being developed for their underwater communications system. ü Ocean Safety: The Jr. Lifeguard Program started up again on June. The Island Championships will be held on July 30. The State Championships will be held on Maui in August. They will receive $10,000 from the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority via the Sayer Foundation for their Jr. Lifeguard Program. The PA system was installed on the north tower at Kahului. · Support Services Division ü Training: Personnel attended the Police Department’s SRT training on “Active Shooter Scenario.” They would like to incorporate it into the Fire Department’s training. Thirty HFD personnel renewed their ACC certification. ü Volunteer Training: Volunteer Commander Lakin reported that they assisted on the West Side. They would like to have plumbing in the stations. He will be stepping down as commander when they get someone qualified to replace him. The next captains’ meeting will be on August 13 at 10 o’clock in Paʻauilo. ü EMS Bureau: Their CISM/Peer Support Team had several activations. They met with the American Heart Association to discuss the department’s work on improving cardiac arrest and survival rates on Hawaiʻi Island. KTA sponsors much of their AEDs which are being distributed to select personnel around the island. ü Prevention Bureau: They have been busy with inspections and new hires. Fire Prevention Captain Baybayan attended the National Fire Academy’s Interview and Interrogation class. ü Auxiliary Services: Dispatch has four trainees. The statewide TEXT2911 is ready for implementation. The Spillman CAD training will begin in July. The maintenance shop had 119 service calls. The Warehouse is finalizing a lease for a relocation to the old Food Fair. They received approval to send two personnel to the Communications Center Manager Course which is funded by the Hawaiʻi State E911 Board. They met with the Board of Water Supply about updating hard copy forms to digital pdf and electronic submissions. Hawaiʻi Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes July 20, 2016 Page 4 · New Projects: The new Haihai Fire Station continues with no major setbacks. All cesspools have been replaced with septic tanks. Upgrades to Central Fire Station is being handled by DPW. They continue to push for items they feel are necessary. They have been trying to get a line item for maintenance. · Public Relations: Commissioner St. Ambrogio told the Chief that she is impressed with his presentation and creativity for funding. She appreciates his support for the community. Chief Rosario stated that it’s a group effort. The Police Department does quarterly meetings with the media which they would like to do. Chair De Luz asked Chief Rosario to do a presentation on the hiring and promotions process. Recess was called at 11:15 a.m. The meeting reconvened at 11:33 a.m. COMMITTEE REPORTS Chair De Luz stated that he would like to have two people on each committee. He suggested the following: · Budget and Finance: Becker, Yawata · Office Management and Staffing: De Luz · Rules and Policies: No one, status quo until next year · Public Relations: Lee, St. Ambrogio · Training and Education: Waipa, Susman · Rules and Regulations Review Committee: Defer to next year EXECUTIVE SESSION Vice Chair Becker 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; and to consider sensitive matters relating to public safety pursuant to HRS 92-5 (a) (2) (4) (6) and the Hawaiʻi County Charter Section 13- 20 (b). Commissioner St. Ambrogio seconded, and it carried unanimously. Executive session convened at 11:45 a.m. Regular session reconvened at 12:55 p.m. Chair De Luz reported that Vice Chair Becker and Commissioner Susman will continue working on the Chief’s Position Description, and it will be placed on the next meeting agenda. He would like to complete the Chief’s annual evaluation by November. Hawaiʻi Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes July 20, 2016 Page 5 ANNOUNCEMENTS · Chair De Luz announced that the next meeting is scheduled for August 17, 2016, 9:00 a.m., West Hawaiʻi Civic Center, Building G Conference Room, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi. · Collection of files and documents (Done) ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Susman motioned to adjourn. Commissioner St. Ambrogio seconded, and it carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 1:05 p.m. SUBMITTED BY: JOSIE PELAYO, SECRETARY APPROVED BY: DAVID DE LUZ, JR., CHAIR