HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-02-08 Fire Commission Regular Minutes
FIRE COMMISSION
REGULAR SESSION MINUTES
FEBRUARY 8, 2017
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Becker called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Robert Becker, Chair
Scott Susman, Vice Chair
David De Luz, Jr., Commissioner
Kimo Lee, Commissioner
Donna Payesko, Commissioner
Marcella St. Ambrogio, Commissioner
Mapuana Waipa, Commissioner
Ralph Yawata, Commissioner
Absent: Denise Laitinen, Commissioner
A quorum was present.
Also present: Darren Rosario, Fire Chief
Renee Schoen, Assistant Corporation Counsel
Josie Pelayo, Secretary
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Commissioner De Luz motioned to approve the agenda. Commissioner St. Ambrogio
seconded, and it carried unanimously.
STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS (None.)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
January 13, 2017, regular session: Vice Chair Susman motioned to approve the
minutes. Commissioner Yawata seconded, and it carried unanimously.
January 13, 2017, executive session: Commissioner De Luz motioned to approve
the minutes with a non-substantive correction. Commissioner Waipa seconded, and
it carried unanimously.
DISCUSSION ON WRITTEN REPORT
Chief Rosario gave a PowerPoint presentation on the organizational structure of the
Fire Department.
Chief Rosario highlighted items on his written report:
Budget and Finance
FY 2016/17: They are on track. However, large incidents would be a big concern.
FY 2017/18: They have a mandatory 5% budget cut and were told to identify non-
essential items; they co
Fire Commission
Regular Session Minutes
February 8, 2017
Page 2
they cut services. A big item at the legislature is the TAT Tax. They are pushing for
another Puna medic.
Alternative Funding and Grants
2016 CDBG: The Pahala Wildland Pumper Apparatus Project is going well.
2015 AFG: Cost is less than the grant. They can now purchase face masks.
2017 CDBG: A brush truck for Paradise Park was cancelled by the Mayor.
Human Resources Division: Bargaining Units 3, 4, 13, 63 and 73 received pay
increases effective January 1, 2017.
Emergency Operations Division
Operations: A structure fire on Ohai St. on January 6 was deemed suspicious.
Training and Education: The confined space training was completed.
Special Operations
o Rescue: A $25,000 donation from the Sarah Foundation was used to
replace rescue harnesses and purchase repelling equipment.
o Ocean Safety: A bill is at the Legislature to provide lifeguards at Kua
Bay. Another bill is to provide immunity for lifeguards; Act 170 sunsets
in June 2017. They are working with DLNR to reinstitute Act 190 that
provide warning signs at beaches.
Support Services Division
Training: Transitioning new captain and driver trainer. Conducted
th
familiarization for burn trailer and driving simulator. Plans started for the 45
recruit class.
Volunteer Training: Volunteer Captain John Bertsch was selected as
Volunteer Commander. Their next meeting will be on February 18 at 10:00
EMS Bureau: Since the inception of their High Performance CPR standards
and Community Hands Only CPR programs, their cardiac arrest save rates
have improved from 4% to 10%. In 2016 they had 200 out of hospital cardiac
arrests. Twenty of those victims walked out of the hospital neurologically
intact. A bill requesting funding for a Puna ambulance is at the legislature
Auxiliary Services: Started re-flooring project for Station 15 in North Kohala.
Dispatch parking lot repaving was completed. Waiting on DPW for Station 7
fencing project and replacement generator for Station 9 in Waimea.
New Projects/Business: Will be meeting with the Mayor and Managing Director to
discuss items relating to program of work, facility repairs, and staffing.
2017 Program of Work Update: Work on this continues. They will aggressively go
after grants.
Fire Commission
Regular Session Minutes
February 8, 2017
Page 3
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Commissioner De Luz motioned to meet in executive session to work on matters
privacy, and may consult with Corporation Counsel on questions and issues pertaining
-5 (a)
-20 (b). Commissioner Susman
seconded, and it carried unanimously. Executive session convened at 11:15 a.m.
Open session reconvened at 1:15 p.m.
NEW BUSINESS
Review Draft 2017 Commission Calendar
Review Draft 2017 Commission Program of Work, make committee assignments
Review Draft 2017 Fire Chief Position Description
The drafts were review. Chair Becker asked the commissioners to send input to Ms.
Pelayo by February 22.
COMMITTEE REPORTS (No reports.)
Budget and Finance
Office Management and Staffing
Rules and Policies
Public Relations
Training and Education
Rules and Regulations Review Committee
Ms. Schoen explained how committees work.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Chair Becker announced that next meeting is scheduled for March 8, 2017, 9:00
a.m., Aupuni Center Conference Room, 101 Pauahi St., Hilo, Hawaii.
Collection of files and documents (Done.)
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 1:33 p.m.
SUBMITTED BY: JOSIE PELAYO, SECRETARY
APPROVED BY: ROBERT BECKER, CHAIR