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Home My WebLink About2016-10-12 Fire Commission Regular MinutesREGULAR SESSION MINUTES OCTOBER 12, 2016 WEST HAWAII CIVIC CENTER, BUILDING G CONFERENCE ROOM 74-5044 ANE KEOHOKALOLE HIGHWAY, KAILUA-KONA, HAWAII CALL TO ORDER Chair De Luz called the meeting to order at 9:06 a.m. ROLL CALL Present: David De Luz, Jr., Chair Robert Becker, Vice Chair Kimo Lee, Commissioner Marcella St. Ambrogio, Commissioner Scott Susman, Commissioner Ralph Yawata, Commissioner Absent: Denise Laitinen, Commissioner Mapuana Waipa, Commissioner A quorum was present. Also Present: Darren Rosario, Fire Chief William Brilhante, Assistant Corporation Counsel Josie Pelayo, Secretary APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner St. Ambrogio motioned to approve the agenda. Commissioner Susman seconded, and it carried unanimously. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS (None.) APPROVAL OF MINUTES • September 21, 2016, regular session: Vice Chair Becker made a correction under New Business, third paragraph from "elements are" to "elements were". Commissioner Susman motioned to approve the minutes as amended. Commissioner Yawata seconded, and it carried unanimously. September 21, 2016, executive session: Commissioner Yawata motioned to approve the minutes. Commissioner Susman seconded, and it carried unanimously. DISCUSSION ON FIRE CHIEF'S WRITTEN REPORT Chief Rosario highlighted items from his written reports: • Budget and Finance ✓ 2015/16 Budget: They have not had any large scale incidents to impact their budget and expect to be in the black again. De Luz's requested a report on overtime breakdown. Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes October 12, 2016 Page 2 ✓ 2016/17 Budget: They were directed to cut their budget by 5%, and the first draft is due November 1. They will submit a supplemental budget with increases. Alternative Funding and Grants ✓ 2015 CDBG: The Pahoa Brush Truck project has been completed. ✓ 2016 CDBG: There was a protest by a bidder. ✓ 2015 AFG Grant: The application for replacement of self-contained breathing apparatus inventory was submitted. ✓ 2016 Office of Aging Grant: This community-based paramedic program for West Hawaii started on September 19. Human Resources Division: There was a Battalion Chief of Emergency Operations promotion in West Hawaii. Interviews were conducted for two Water Safety Officer I vacancies. Chair De Luz expressed concern that the Fire Department doesn't have a Public Information Officer or an IT person. The Fire Department is a 24-hour business, but they can only get IT service during the 8 -hour work day. Chief Rosario stated that it would be great to have additional clerks. He shares his personal secretary with the Deputy and Assistant Chiefs. Accountant Lorenzo does a lot of the fiscal work including making sure vendors are compliant with procurement requirements. Mr. Brilhante stated that there are about four different State requirements that vendors have to comply with in order to do business in Hawaii. In response to questions referencing accidents involving the Honolulu Fire Department, Chief Rosario stated that he is confident their department is working within their training guidelines. They could use more funding for additional training. They send all officers to fire ground training. They have a good relationship with the union. Prerequisites for Water Safety were changed. Now, applicants only need a driver's license and to pass the agility test. They provide the training. • Emergency Operations Division ✓ Hazmat: There was a chlorine release incident at the BEI facility. An AAR will be held with those involved to identify lessons learned and how to make improvements. They had a couple incidents at PGV. He believes that PGV needs to take a more active role in monitoring and showing their presence. Support Services Division ✓ Volunteer Training: The captain's meeting will be on November 19 in Volcano. ✓ EMS Bureau: All 8 MICT students passed the requirements and attained permanent National Registry and State of Hawaii Paramedic License. This is the first class in the last decade to have 100% completion. 16 HFD personnel have expressed interest in the next MICT class targeted for August 2017. Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes October 12, 2016 Page 3 ✓ Auxiliary Services: The maintenance shop is hosting a mechanics training this week for all other counties. The warehouse move is 50% complete. • New Projects: Select fire personnel will wear the Nomex station uniforms for evaluation and recommendation. The new Haihai Station project continues. They did site inspections, and there was no flooding which concerned the community. • Public Relations: The Sayre awards dinner was held on September 3. Five HFD rescue personnel and two Water Safety Officers were recognized for their exemplary performances. The foundation achieved its goal of generating funds to support equipment purchases and repairs. Their training center has been renamed to the Daniel K. Sayre Training Center. Chief Rosario distributed an update to his Program of Work COMMITTEE REPORTS (No reports.) • Budget and Finance • Office Management and Staffing (De Luz) • Rules and Policies • Public Relations (Lee) • Training and Education (Waipa) • Rules and Regulations Review Committee Recess was called at 10:25 a.m. The meeting reconvened at 10:42 a.m. NEW BUSINESS • Discussion on Fire Commission's Annual Report: Discussion was held on how to make the annual report available. It was agreed that it will be given to the Mayor, Managing Director, and County Council as required by the County Charter. It will be made available to the public upon request, but it will not be placed on the commission's website. UNFINISHED BUSINESS • Review draft of Fire Chief's Position Description Vice Chair Becker explained the process of writing the description. With a revised position description, they would like to go before the Salary Commission and request a salary increase for the Chief. Mr. Brilhante stated that there is no requirement that future commissions follow this position description. They could incorporate expectations into the evaluation, but it could be changed by new commissioners. Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes October 12, 2016 Page 4 Vice Chair Becker stated that they will continue to work on the position description. • Review process of Fire Chief Darren Rosario's Annual Evaluation (No discussion.) (CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC) 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; to conduct an annual evaluation of the Fire Chief, and to consider sensitive matters relating to public safety pursuant to HRS 92-5 (a) (2) (4) (6) and the Hawaii County Charter Section 13-20 (b). Commissioner Susman seconded, and it carried unanimously. Executive session convened at 11:35 a.m. Open session reconvened at 2:28 p.m. ANNOUNCEMENTS • Chair De Luz announced that the next meeting is scheduled for November 9, 2016, 9:00 a.m., Aupuni Center Conference Room, 101 Pauahi St., Hilo, Hawaii. • Collection of files and documents (Done.) ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Susman motioned to adjourn. Commissioner Yawata seconded, and it carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 2:30 p.m. SUBMITTED BY JOSIE PELAYO, SECRETARY APPROVED BY DAVID DE LUZ, JR., CHAIR