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Home My WebLink About2017-10-18 Fire Commission Regular MinutesHAWAII FIRE COMMISSION REGULAR SESSION MINUTES OCTOBER 18, 2017 WEST HAWAII CIVIC CENTER BLDG G CONFERENCE ROOM 74-5044 ANE KEOHOKALOLE HIGHWAY, KAILUA-KONA, HI CALL TO ORDER Chair Becker called the meeting to order at 9:02 a.m. ROLL CALL Present: Robert Becker, Chair Scott Susman, Vice Chair David De Luz, Jr., Commissioner Donna Payesko, Commissioner Mapuana Waipa, Commissioner Ralph Yawata, Commissioner Absent: Marcella St. Ambrogio, Commissioner Denise Laitinen, Commissioner A quorum was present. Also Present: Darren Rosario, Fire Chief John Bertsch, Volunteer Commander Jessica Yeh, Deputy Corporation Counsel Josie Pelayo, Secretary APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner De Luz motioned to approve the agenda. Vice Chair Susman seconded, and it carried unanimously. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS (None.) APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 20, 2017 Commissioner De Luz pointed out a correction to his name. Vice Chair Susman motioned to approve the minutes with that non -substantive change. Commissioner Waipa seconded, and it carried unanimously. FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT Chair Becker stated that the commission has begun working on the Chief's annual evaluation. If any of them have questions, they could ask it now. Chief Rosario highlighted items on his written report: • Budget and Finance ➢ 2016/17: The final balance returned 2.87% to the General Fund. ➢ 2017/18: They had three very critical fires all in areas with the highest drought index. They had a lot of rain this past week which helped. Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Minutes October 18, 2017 Page 2 ➢ 2018/19: They had a budget meeting yesterday and were directed to make a 3% reduction. They looked at historical records, and made reductions in fuel costs and helicopter rental. Their budget is due to Finance in November. Alternative Funding and Grants ➢ 2016 CDBG: Pahala Wildland Pumper is delayed due to quality inspections. ➢ 2015 FG Grant: Waiting for additional inventory of the breathing apparatus. ➢ 2016 AFG Prevention Grant: Not funded. ➢ 2016 AFG Vehicle Grant: Not funded. ➢ 2016 AFG Equipment Grant: Not funded. Human Resources Division ➢ Internal Recruitment: Two offers were extended for the Battalion Chief positions. Only one was accepted. ➢ Open Recruitment: The Account Clerk is pending reference checks. ➢ Labor Relations: Investigations are being conducted for workplace violence incidents and misconduct while on duty. Step 1 meetings were held for three grievances. Emergency Operations Division ➢ Operations: Incident logs show EMS with the highest numbers, but fire calls cost the most. They are looking for another EMS in HPP or Pahoa. Three people were rescued from a sunken vessel. ➢ Special Operations ✓ Volunteer Training: Volunteer Commander John Bertsch reported that their Captains' meeting will be held on November 18 at 7 Bravo at 10:00 a.m. The Sayres will give a presentation on their foundation. They are still critical for drivers. They have to have a certified trainer to train the volunteers. All volunteers go through a 2 -month defensive training class for use of their vehicles when going to a fire scene. A fire in Ka'u was significant; they pulled volunteers all the way from Waimea. Regarding the Chief's annual evaluation, from the volunteer side, they have enjoyed fantastic support from the Chief. They used to be separated, volunteer vs. career, now they are a combined company under one Chief. Under Chief Rosario, the career staff have become extremely appreciative of the volunteers, and they appreciate it. Some improvements could be inclusion, such as being invited to training when it's available. As the Safety Director for the Ironman Triathlon, Commander Bertsch reported that they hosted BC Todd at the Ironman Command Center and introduced him to their advanced tools. The Medical Director of Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Minutes October 18, 2017 Page 3 Ironman provided advance life support training for 16 MICTs which is a certification course. Regarding their radios, many volunteers don't carry their radios when they are working, especially in construction jobs. They are looking at alternative ways to get the word out. In the event of natural disasters or fire ground, the volunteers still have the ability to communicate. Chief reported that they are working on obtaining three vehicles through DOFA. ✓ Hazmat: They completed their refresher classes for the Hazmat Technician which is a HIOSH requirement. ✓ Rescue: The Sayre awards dinner was held on September 2 with the Governor and Mayor in attendance. Eight HFD personnel and one pilot received awards. ✓ Ocean Safety: They held a Drowning and Aquatics Injury Prevention meeting on September 15. They had a media event that showcased video clips that will be shown in approximately 30,000 hotel rooms. ➢ Support Services Division ✓ Training: Recruits started EMT training. ✓ EMS Bureau: HFD conducted free island -wide Child Passenger Safety Seat Clinics in September. This is supported through a DOT State Highways grant. They received notification of a $48,340 grant award for one set of eDraulic extraction tools and continuation of HFD's CPS program. HMSA highlighted HFD's Community Paramedicine Pilot Program in their monthly magazine. EMS stood by for the annual KWXX Ho`olaule`a in downtown Hilo where an estimated 15,000-20,000 people attended. ✓ Prevention Bureau: They conducted 91 inspections, reviewed 68 construction plans, and investigated 6 structure fires and one brush fire. Arson K9 was used in two fires. They installed smoke alarms and conducted 13 home inspections. ✓ Auxiliary Services: Planning of Target Solutions Project will be in October. The new X-8 was placed on line in Honoka`a. It replaced the 28 year old -Dodge which was reallocated to Captain Cook. Six new dispatchers started on October 2. The Spillman will be going live on December 5. Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Minutes October 18, 2017 Page 4 ➢ New Projects/Business: The Central Fire Station Renovation Project is still on hold by DPW. They continue to plan for the Hawaii Fire Chiefs' Conference in November. They will waive the conference fee for Fire Commissioners, but they will have to pay for their meals. ➢ Public Relations: Chief met with Patrick Kahawaiolaa of the Keaukaha Community Association to provide assistance in guiding them in seeking approval for use of community facilities for overnight housing. ➢ Other Departmental Activities, i.e. staffing, overtime, vacation, sick leave: HIOSH investigated a complaint regarding firefighters fighting a propane truck fire. HFD actions were found to be appropriate. They prepared a report on their overtime, much of which is contractual. This report will be sent to the commission. Vice Chair Susman stated that they need to keep justifying the need for training. Chief stated that they are looking at having training during on -duty. He explained how overtime worked on 24- hour and 12 -hour shifts. They hope to have the Haihai station running in November. Recruit graduation will be in January. Chief explained the salary inversion problem. Chair Becker will give a presentation to the Salary Commission. Commissioner De Luz asked to discuss the salary issue in executive session. ➢ 2017 Program of Work Update: Chief's report was distributed. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Update on the commission's revised rules: A public hearing will be held on November 15, 2017. Ms. Pelayo stated that the notice was published in the newspapers. Chair Becker stated that they will have the public hearing, take statements, and then go into a regular meeting where they could vote to accept the revised rules. NEW BUSINESS • Review of the commission's 2017 calendar of events: Chair Becker stated that suggestions for 2018 should be sent to Ms. Pelayo by November 1. Commissioner De Luz suggested SOGs for commissioners to use as a guiding document. Discussion on the Fire Chief's 2018 Program of Work and Performance Elements: Chair Becker explained the Program of Work. They need to start working on the elements. Recess was called at 11:55 a.m. The meeting reconvened at 12:20 p.m. Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Minutes October 18, 2017 Page 5 EXECUTIVE SESSION Commissioner De Luz motioned to meet in executive session to work on the Fire Chief's annual evaluation and may consult with Corporation Counsel on questions and issues pertaining to the commission's powers, duties, privileges, immunities, and liabilities; pursuant to HRS 92-5 (a) (2) (4) (6) and the Hawaii County Charter Section 13-20 (b). Vice Chair Susman seconded, and it carried unanimously. Executive session convened at 12:22 p.m. Regular session reconvened at 1:16 p.m. ANNOUNCEMENTS Chair Becker announced that the commission will hold a public hearing on its revised rules on November 15, 2017, at 9:00 a.m. in the Aupuni Center Conference Room, 101 Pauahi St., Hilo, Hawaii. It will be followed by the commission's monthly meeting at 9:30 a.m. in this same location. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Yawata motioned to adjourn. Commissioner Susman seconded, and it carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 1:18 p.m. SUBMITTED BY: APPROVED BY: JOSIE PELAYO, SECRETARY ROBERT BECKER, CHAIR