The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2017-07-10 Fire Commission Regular MinutesHAWAII FIRE COMMISSION REGULAR SESSION MINUTES JULY 10, 2017 AUPUNI CENTER CONFERENCE ROOM 101 PAUAH I ST., H I LO, HAWAII CALL TO ORDER Vice Chair Susman called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. ROLL CALL Present: Scott Susman, Vice Chair David De Luz, Jr., Commissioner Denise Laitinen, Commissioner Mapuana Waipa, Commissioner Ralph Yawata, Commissioner Absent: Robert Becker, Chair Donna Payesko, Commissioner Marcella St. Ambrogio, Commissioner A quorum was present. Also present: Darren Rosario, Fire Chief Melanio Lorenzo, Accountant Jessica Yeh, Deputy Corporation Counsel Josie Pelayo, Secretary APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Waipa motioned to approve the agenda. Commissioner Laitinen seconded, and it carried unanimously. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS (None) APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF JUNE 14, 2017 Commissioner Waipa motioned to approve the minutes. Commissioner Yawata seconded, and it carried unanimously. FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT Chief Rosario stated that the Fire Department has its own Deputy Corporation Counsel, Malia Hall. So, if he is unsure about requests by the commission, he will seek her advice. He asked the commissioners for feedback when visiting the stations. Regarding records requests, he doesn't want confidential documents made public. Ms. Yeh stated that requests for records, comes under UIPA, not the Sunshine Law. Chief Rosario went on to highlight items on his written report. Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes June 14, 2017 Page 2 Budget and Finance: (Mr. Lorenzo was present to provide clarity and answer questions.) They were 4% in the black at the end of the fiscal year. Commissioner De Luz stated that although they have line item expenditures, the Chief doesn't have total discretion with some expenditures that have to go through the County's Expenditure Review Committee. Collective bargaining is also out of his realm. They also lack administrative staff. Chief Rosario reported that they have only one secretary assigned to the Chief, but she also does work for the Assistant Chiefs. They need clerical assistance in Finance and Human Resources. They are always told to live within their budget. They are being impacted by cuts in Federal funds. The Mayor signed off on the 2017-18 budget which includes State funding to run their EMS Program and Hapuna Beach. They are looking to replace the engine at Waikoloa and Keauhou. According to OSHA, they need to maintain at least one HAZMAT company. Critical items that were taken out of the budget, were put back in, but not additional staffing. Supplemental budget requests are still waiting for funding which includes wildland fire equipment. Mr. Lorenzo pointed out that the budget does not include pay increases. • Alternative Funding and Grants: The 2015 AFG Grant for replacement masks was delayed, and they are waiting for FEMA's approval to purchase. Human Resources Division: The Fire/EMS Specialist II promotion is targeted for August 1. The BC promotion is pending interview and selection. They have open recruitments for Account Clerk and Fire Radio Dispatcher I. The Hawaii Fire Fighters Union is still waiting for one jurisdiction to approve the contract. • Emergency Operations Division ➢ Operations. East and West Hawaii had numerous incidents and rescues, one of which was fatal. The 4t" of July was pretty quiet around the island. They support an additional runaway truck ramp on the D.K. Inouye Highway. Recruits were trained in all aspects of wildland fire June 26-30 recruits. ➢ Special Operations ✓ Hazmat: Scheduled training with the Gas Company regarding propane incidents. The LEPC approved funding for personnel to attend the annual Continuing Challenge Conference. ✓ Rescue: Work continues on updating the SOGs. Equipment purchased with a $25,000 grant from the Karakin Foundation was distributed to Waiakea and Kailua. The Sayre Foundation now provides equipment for volunteers and Ocean Safety. ✓ Ocean Safety: Started Jr. Lifeguard sessions around the island which is being funded by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Championships will be held on Oahu on July 29. Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes June 14, 2017 Page 3 • Support Services Division ➢ Training: 16 Firefighter Recruits completed their second month of training. In- service training for air quality check on Mako was conducted by Hilo ARFF. ➢ Volunteer Training: DOT vehicle checks and defensive driving training class was completed in June. ➢ EMS Bureau: A new medic was placed in service at the Pahoa Fire Station. It replaced their 2012 series ambulance which averages 55,000 miles per year. The old medic will be used as a backup. EMS is a State funded program, so funding has to go through the legislature. Chief will give the commission information when items go before the legislature. Visited Maui's dispatch center to look at their EMD program in their efforts towards improvements. Captains Hara and Ebersole conducted presentations for the DOH community on Maui and Oahu on their Community Paramedic Pilot Program. Eight HFD personnel were selected to attend the 2017 MICT class at KCC. This is the first time in history that applicants were turned away due to the very competitive process. There were 14 applicants for 10 slots. ➢ Prevention Bureau: Their very small staff was extremely busy the entire month. ➢ Auxiliary Services ✓ Maintenance shop: They were especially busy due to brush fires. Vice Chair Susman stated that Kona is over 100 miles from the Hilo maintenance shop. He asked about a mechanic to work from a truck out of Kona. Chief stated that it's complicated. He will discuss this with Chief Honda. West Hawaii wants a maintenance shop, but he doesn't see it happening. ✓ Repairs: The North Kohala re -flooring project has been delayed to July. New Projects/Business: The Central Fire Station Renovation Project is on hold by DPW. They continue work on the Hawaii Fire Chiefs Association Annual Training Conference. • Public Relations: No additional report. • Other Departmental Activities: The Mayor conducted an emergency operations center training for cabinet and peer/local government entities. Recess was called at 10:45 a.m. The meeting reconvened at 11:00 a.m. EXECUTIVE SESSION Commissioner De Luz motioned to meet in executive session to do a mid -year performance review of the Fire Chief where consideration of matters affecting employee privacy will be involved and may consult with Corporation Counsel on questions and Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes June 14, 2017 Page 4 issues pertaining to the commission's powers, duties, privileges, immunities, and liabilities HRS 92-5 (a) (2) (4) and the Hawaii County Charter Section 13-20 (b). Commissioner Laitinen seconded, and it carried unanimously. Executive session convened at 11:01 a.m. Regular session reconvened at 12:40 p.m. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Review draft of changes to the commission's rules and regulations: This will be continued at the next meeting. ANNOUNCEMENTS Vice Chair Susman announced that the next meeting is scheduled for August 9, 2017, 9:00 a.m., West Hawaii Civic Center, Bldg. G Conf. Rm., 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 12:45 p.m. SUBMITTED BY: JOSIE PELAYO, SECRETARY APPROVED BY: SCOTT SUSMAN, VICE CHAIR