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Home My WebLink About2017-09-20 Fire Commission Regular MinutesHAWAII FIRE COMMISSION MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 20, 2017 AUPUNI CENTER CONFERENCE ROOM 101 PAUAHI ST., HILO, HAWAII CALL TO ORDER Chair Becker called the meeting to order at 9:03 a.m. ROLL CALL Present: Robert Becker, Chair Scott Susman, Vice Chair Denise Laitinen, Commissioner Marcella St. Ambrogio, Commissioner Mapuana Waipa, Commissioner Ralph Yawata, Commissioner Absent: David De Luz, Jr., Commissioner Donna Payesko, Commissioner A quorum present. Also present: Darren Rosario, Fire Chief Kazuo Todd, Battalion Chief John Bertsch, Volunteer Commander Jessica Yeh, Deputy Corporation Counsel Josie Pelayo, Secretary APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Waipa motioned to approve the agenda. Commissioner St. Ambrogio seconded, and it carried unanimously. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS PATRICK KAHAWAIOLAA came before the commission requesting clarification on why the county will no longer allow sleepovers in the Keaukaha gym and other gyms in the county. This has been allowed for many years. The news reported that this was a concern of a fire official, and it was brought to Parks & Recreation. This is an island -wide thing. He wants to know how to come to a resolution. Deputy Corporation Counsel Yeh stated that this is public testimony on an item not on the agenda. This could affect a reasonable amount of people, and they should not engage in discussion. This matter could be tabled for the next meeting. Chair Becker stated they will defer scheduling this for now. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF AUGUST 9, 2017 Under New Business, Chair Becker made a change for clarity, stating that the WPS phone has a cost only when used. Commissioner St. Ambrogio motioned to approve the minutes as amended. Commissioner Laitinen seconded, and it carried unanimously. Hawaii Fire Commission Minutes of September 20, 2017 Page 2 FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT BATTALION CHIEF KAZUO TODD gave a PowerPoint presentation on the Department's Auxiliary Services including their website, MSA replacement, SDS binder, email conversion, Target Solutions, and their SharePoint Solutions. Chief Rosario pointed out that everyone now has an email account. VOLUNTEER COMMANDER JOHN BERTSCH highlighted items on his written report. The monthly meeting was held in Discovery Harbor where they held executive leadership training in defensive driving. Their website, www.hvfca.net, is a conduit for volunteer recruitment. They can post training information, and it has a data base of all members. Work on the SOGs continues. Wet drills are being done in districts without water restrictions. The next captains' meeting will be on 11/18/17 at 9:00 a.m. at his station, Seven Bravo in Palisades. Volunteers are given certificates of service for one year and every five years thereafter. Chief Rosario highlighted items on his written report: • Budget and Finance: ➢ 2017/2018: Due to the payroll lag, half of June's payroll went into this fiscal year. They have expended 99% of their equipment budget. The budget is on track. ➢ 2018/19: The budget kickoff was on September 15. They were told to prepare two budgets, a status quo one and one with a 3% reduction, which is $750,000. There is not much more they can cut without cutting services. The County expects a 3% shortfall. Last year they were directed to present a 5% reduction. They did not do it, and the County cut their budget. They have critical needs in their office. The budget will be due on November 1, and the supplemental budget will follow. If the County ends up with a surplus, then they can consider the supplemental budget. The 5 -year replacement program is now in its 6t" year. Alternative Funding and Grants ➢ 2016 CDBG: The Pahala Wildland Pumper has been delayed at the plant. ➢ 2015 AFG Grant: They have not yet received word. Human Resources Division ➢ Internal Recruitment: There are three applicants for two BC vacancies. ➢ Open Recruitment: October 1 is hire date for an account clerk and three Radio Dispatcher I and two alternates. Emergency Operations Division ➢ Operations: A Hawaiian Airlines flight to LAX had a fire on board and made an emergency landing. They responded to a couple brush fires in West Hawaii with air and water support. Personnel held MDA and Wildfire fundraisers. ➢ Special Operations: ✓ Hazmat: Four HFD personnel will attend the Hazmat Continuing Challenge being funded by the local LEPC. They completed their annual refresher class for Hazmat Technician which is required by HIOSH. Hawaii Fire Commission Minutes of September 20, 2017 Page 3 ✓ Rescue: Confined space training will continue for all rescue and hazmat personnel. The 20th Anniversary Sayre Awards Dinner presented awards to seven HFD personnel and one contract pilot. ✓ Ocean Safety: DLNR approved funding for lifeguard services at State beach parks, but they need to find funding. Support Services Division ➢ Training: Recruit training continues. ➢ Volunteer Training: (Bertsch gave report earlier.) ➢ EMS Bureau: Personnel attended the Pinnacle EMS Leadership Conference which was funded by the Shippers Warf Grant. The 45th Fire Recruit class conducted a free car seat inspection at Hilo Target. Captain Hara has been actively engaged in weekly homeless outreach doing wound care and assessments at the new Camp Kikiha. Eight HFD personnel started MICT class at the KCC EMS Training Center. ➢ Prevention Bureau: HFD started partnership with the Red Cross by incorporating their smoke alarm projects. ➢ Auxiliary Services: (Todd gave report earlier.) ✓ Maintenance Shop: Equipment installed in the new X-8 for Honoka`a. ✓ Dispatch: Six new hires will start on October 1. They are seeking funding through E911 for new and replacement equipment. ✓ Repairs: Working on repairs forms to streamline repair submittals. • New Projects/Business: The Central Fire Station Renovation Project is still on hold by DPW. Planning continues for the Hawaii Fire Chief's Conference in November. • Public Relations: Governor Ige and Mayor Kim attended the Sayre Foundation dinner. • Other Departmental Activities: They will assist with the downtown Ho`olaule`a and Ironman Triathlon. The Ironman draws 10,000 people. The role of the Fire Department is to support the public and the community, not the Ironman participants. They have a hurricane response policy and have specific actions for different levels of hurricane. For Hurricane Iselle, they utilized the volunteers extensively for obtaining supplies and clearing roadways. Police, Fire, and DPW are involved in hurricanes. He is confident in their role in pre and post natural disasters. Chair Becker asked if it was right for Mr. Kahawaiolaa to have a discussion with the Fire Commission. It is a code enforcement matter. He doesn't want to agendize something that is not within their purview. Ms. Yeh agreed. It's a code interpretation. It looks like he wants an avenue to talk. It is a P & R issue. She doesn't have enough knowledge of the situation. He provided testimony on something not on the agenda. Chief Rosario said he will speak to Mr. Kahawaiolaa. This is not a Fire Department issue, no matter what was put out in the media. This is a building code matter. • 2017 Program of Work Update: No discussion. Recess was called at 11:28 a.m. The meeting reconvened at 11:42 a.m. Hawaii Fire Commission Minutes of September 20, 2017 Page 4 UNFINISHED BUSINESS Review draft of changes to the commission's rules and regulations: At the August 9, 2017, Fire Commission meeting, the commission reviewed and revised proposed amendments to the Fire Commission Rules and Regulations pertaining to the classification of complaints, attendance of commissioners, and the removal of contested case proceedings. The commission will discuss and deliberate the finalization and approval of these amendments for public hearing in accordance with Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 91. A revision was distributed. No changes were made. Commissioner Laitinen motioned to have a public hearing on changes to the commission's rules on November 15, 2017, at 9:00 a.m. in Hilo. It will be followed by the monthly meeting at 9:30 a.m. Commissioner St. Ambrogio seconded, and it carried unanimously. Chair Becker stated that they need to do the Chief's annual evaluation. He asked the commissioners to look at the Chief's performance elements, give a score of 1-5, and provide short narrative. This will be due to Ms. Pelayo on October 4. He will compile the first draft. ANNOUNCEMENTS Chair Becker announced that the October meeting has been changed from October 11 to October 18, 2017, in the West Hawaii Civic Center, Building G Conference Room, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 11:58 a.m. SUBMITTED BY: JOSIE PELAYO, SECRETARY APPROVED BY: ROBERT BECKER, CHAIR