The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2016-11-09 Fire Commission Regular MinutesHAWAII FIRE COMMISSION REGULAR SESSION MINUTES NOVEMBER 9, 2016 AUPUNI CENTER CONFERENCE ROOM CALL TO ORDER Chair De Luz called the meeting to order at 9:03 a.m. ROLL CALL Present: David De Luz, Jr., Chair Robert Becker, Vice Chair Denise Laitinen, Commissioner Donna Payesko, Commissioner Marcella St. Ambrogio, Commissioner Scott Susman, Commissioner Ralph Yawata, Commissioner Absent: Kimo Lee, Commissioner Mapuana Waipa, Commissioner A quorum was present. Also Present: Darren Rosario, Fire Chief Melanio Lorenzo, Accountant Molly Stebbins, Corporation Counsel Josie Pelayo, Secretary Chair De Luz introduced new Fire Commissioner Donna Payesko of Council District 7. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chair De Luz stated that he would like to add to announcement at end of meeting that they will be selecting a new chair and vice chair for 2017 at the next meeting. Vice Chair Becker motioned to approve the agenda as amended. Commissioner St. Ambrogio seconded, and it carried unanimously. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS (None.) APPROVAL OF MINUTES • October 12, 2016, regular session • October 12, 2016, executive session: An additional statement for clarity was added to the minutes as requested by Commissioner Susman. Commissioner Susman motioned to approve the minutes as amended. Commissioner Yawata seconded, and it carried unanimously. Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes November 9, 2016 Page 2 DISCUSSION ON FIRE CHIEF'S WRITTEN REPORT Chief Rosario stated that for the benefit of the new commissioners, he will do a presentation on the overview of the Fire Department at the next meeting. He went on to highlight items on his written report. • Budget and Finance: Accountant Lorenzo explained the financial report and the challenges of equipment purchase. Chair De Luz stated that the county includes all equipment purchases in its operating budget, not as capital projects. Chief Rosario stated that EMS funds can only be used for specific items. Chair De Luz stated that a public information officer would be a great staff position. FY 2017/2018: Chief Rosario stated that they submitted their budget with a 5% reduction as directed by the Finance Director. $36,000 was cut from equipment that had already been ordered. Small amounts were cut from all areas. They were able to increase salaries and wages but not overtime. Alternative Funding and Grants ✓ 2015 CDBG: The Pahoa Brush Truck had a final personnel orientation. ✓ 2016 CDBG: The Pahala Wildland Pumper preconstruction is being finalized. ✓ 2015 AFG: Bidding closes November 16 for this $1.3 million grant for self- contained breathing apparatus replacement inventory. ✓ 2017 CDBG: Working on application for a new Brush Truck for Hawaiian Paradise Park. • Human Resources Division: There was a promotion to BC of Emergency Operations and a Fire Captain in October. Promotions have been directly off the assessment values. The Fire Fighter Recruit Performance Assessment Exercise was conducted in October; 57 passed. Of the 57, 10 are certified EMTs through the Kapi`olani Community College EMT Program. Applicants have to pass the UH Compass test. They interview every applicant who pass the process. He keeps himself outside of the hiring process. Six personnel are confirmed for retirement. Commissioner Susman stated that the interview is the final process, and some people do not do well in interviews. He asked to be present during interviews. Emergency Operations Division: Three companies participated in the Hilo Airport Triennial Exercise which is a Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program. Vice Chair Becker attended, but he felt it was too short. Trucks from different agencies were not able to communicate. Six companies participated in Fire Prevention Week by doing displays and presentations at schools around the island. Special Operations ✓ Hazmat: Two personnel will attend the Radiological/Nuclear Response class in Nevada. One personnel will attend the Prevention and Response to Suicide Bombing Incidents in New Mexico. There was an after action review with those Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes November 9, 2016 Page 3 involved in the BEI chlorine leak to identify lessons learned and how to make improvements. ✓ Rescue: Regarding recent incidents on Oahu over the use of the helicopter, Hawaii County does not do what Honolulu does. However, they have re- evaluated their current policies and procedures and a memo clarifying these safety procedures is being finalized. Support Services Division ✓ Training: Work was done with assisting the Fire Ground Survival Class. ✓ Volunteer Training: A new volunteer commander will be selected at the next captain's meeting on November 19 at Cooper's Center at 10:00 a.m. ✓ EMS Bureau: Captain Hara was able to secure a motorized wheelchair for an elderly couple in Kona identified through their incident reduction program. The couple has difficulty moving about their residence resulting in numerous calls to 911. Chair De Luz offered to assist in building a ramp for them. ✓ Prevention Bureau: They conducted 29 public school assemblies relating to their FFSG Program and Fire Prevention week teaching approximately 9,000 children about fire safety. ✓ Auxiliary Services: The maintenance shop is busy with maintenance and repairs. One dispatcher was cleared for temporary assignment to FRD II. The hiring and promotion process is being worked on for FRD I and IIIs. ✓ Warehouse: The move is being delayed due to office space issues. New Projects/Business: The new Haihai station is expected to be completed by January -February 2017. They continue with the Nomex testing in anticipation of union agreement being a requirement. Vice Chair Becker reported on a continuity of operations plan which he felt needs to be integrated county -wide. He contacted Chief Ranger John Brower of the Volcanoes National Park who will get an emergency coordinator to work with them. Chief Rosario stated that he would like the Deputy Chief to participate. Other Departmental Activities: Chief Rosario stated that he is open to any concerns the commissioners have. Commissioner St. Ambrogio asked if the concern about commissioners having some kind of identification has been resolved. Corporation Counsel Stebbins stated that she doesn't see any issue with an identification card for fire commissioners if the department has the ability to make it. Recess was called at 12:42 p.m. The meeting reconvened 1:10 p.m. Commissioner St. Ambrogio left during the break. COMMITTEE REPORTS (None.) Hawai'i Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes November 9, 2016 Page 4 EXECUTIVE SESSION Vice Chair Becker motioned to meet in executive session to work on the Fire Chief's program of work and annual evaluation, to consider sensitive matters relating to public safety, and may consult with Corporation Counsel on questions and issues pertaining to the commission's powers, duties, privileges, immunities, and liabilities HRS 92-5 (a) (2) (4) (6) and the Hawaii County Charter Section 13-20 (b). Commissioner Laitinen seconded, and it carried unanimously. Executive session convened at 1:14 p.m. Regular session reconvened at 2:37 p.m. ANNOUNCEMENTS Chair De Luz announced that the next meeting is scheduled for December 14, 2016, 9:00 a.m., West Hawai'i Civic Center, Building G Conference Room, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Kailua-Kona, Hawai'i. • Chair De Luz announced that at the next meeting, they will select a new chair and vice chair for 2017. • Collection of files and documents (Done.) ADJOURNMENT Vice Chair Becker motioned to adjourn. Commissioner Yawata seconded, and it carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 2:43 p.m. SUBMITTED BY: JOSIE PELAYO, SECRETARY APPROVED BY DAVID DE LUZ, JR., CHAIR