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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-12-13 Fire Commission Regular MinutesHAWAII FIRE COMMISSION MINUTES OF DECEMBER 13, 2017 WEST HAWAII CIVIC CENTER KAILUA-KONA, HAWAII CALL TO ORDER Chair Becker called the meeting to order at 9:11 a.m. ROLL CALL Present: Robert Becker, Chair Scott Susman, Vice Chair David De Luz, Jr., Commissioner Donna Payesko, Commissioner Marcella St. Ambrogio, Commissioner (A quorum was present.) Absent: Denise Laitinen, Commissioner Mapuana Waipa, Commissioner Ralph Yawata, Commissioner 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 NOVEMBER 15, 2017 • Public Hearing on Amendments to Rules and Regulations: Vice Chair Susman motioned to approve the minutes. Commissioner De Luz seconded, and it carried unanimously. Regular Session: There was a name correction to the motion to meet in executive session. Vice Chair Susman motioned to approve the minutes with the correction. Commissioner St. Ambrogio seconded, and it carried unanimously. • Executive Session: Commissioner St. Ambrogio motioned to approve the minutes. Vice Chair Susman seconded, and it carried unanimously. FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT Fire Chief Rosario highlighted items from his written report: Budget and Finance ➢ FY 2017/18: They are half way through the fiscal year with a balance of 46%. He had a meeting with the Legislative Auditor who is reviewing their overtime. Hawaii Fire Commission Minutes of December 13, 2017 Page 2 ➢ FY 201/19: Their budget was submitted to County Finance on November 1 and will be presented to the County Council on April 17 at 1:30 p.m. Alternative Funding and Grants ➢ 2016 CDBG: The Pahala Wildland Pumper should arrive on January 20tH ➢ 2015 AFG Grant: Received 211 SCBA units and are waiting for more. ➢ 2016 AFG Vehicle Grant: Received notification that grant was not funded. ➢ 2016 AFG Regional Grant for light and air response vehicles: No notification yet. ➢ Ironman: Will be meeting with the organization's personnel for grant funding. Human Resources Division: HR head announced her retirement. BC Lance Uchida was promoted to AC of Support Services. Chief Mechanic recruitment continues. Fire Fighter Recruit written exams were held in November and December; agility test will be in January. They received approval for a new class of 25 Fire Fighter Recruits. • Emergency Operations Division ➢ Operations: They had a double drowning at Rainbow Falls in East Hawaii. They were not able to do any search while the water was raging because they will not put personnel at risk. Another water rescue involved two people and tiger sharks. ➢ Special Operations ✓ Hazmat: They are in the process of putting out bids for hazmat suit replacements. ✓ Rescue: They are working with the Sayre Foundation to purchase equipment funded by the Sayre Awards Dinner. They plan to standardize much of their equipment. ✓ Ocean Safety: It's taking a while to replace their rescue boards due to cost. However, the Sayre Foundation will purchase 5 boards to help them through the procurement process. Support Services Division ➢ Training: Eleven recruits successfully completed EMT training through Kapi`olani Community College. Twenty-five company officers attended an HFCA sponsored training on firefighter misconduct. ➢ Volunteer Training: Volunteer Commander John Bertsch reported that Frank Sayres gave a presentation at their captains' meeting on November 18. This was the first time a lot of their volunteers met the Sayres. Their volunteer demographics are typically an older group. They often get requests to be a volunteer about 3-4 weeks before the County fire recruitment. The do mentor their volunteers to help with their recruitment for the County. ➢ EMS Bureau: Met with State EMS Branch Chief and State Trauma Program Coordinator to firm up the contract for the Community Paramedicine Program. The contract will cover personnel costs for 5 years retro to July 1, 2017. They will be doing a presentation to the Legislature on January 16, 2018, to educate them Hawaii Fire Commission Minutes of December 13, 2017 Page 3 on the need for additional EMS services in Puna. Nearly 600 students and faculty at Waiakea High School were trained on Hands Only CPR over a 7 -day period. ➢ Prevention Bureau: They are highly understaffed and pointed that out when he met with the Legislative Auditor. ➢ Auxiliary Services: Six new Fire Radio Dispatchers were hired. They are seeking funding through E911 for a new generator for the dispatch center. • New Projects/Business: They hosted the Hawaii Fire Chiefs' Association Conference. • Public Relations: BC Michael Hayashida was a nominee for County Manager of the Year. Blessing of the new Haihai Fire Station will be held on December 14. HFD will assist with hosting the County's Annual "Magic of the Season" at the County Building on December 13. • Other Departmental Activities: Contract negotiations started for Ocean Safety and Fire personnel. Regarding the news on TV about their EMT, he was not over the DUI limit, but he had content in his system. Corrective action was taken. • 2017 Program of Work Update: No discussion. Recess was called at 11:23 a.m. The meeting reconvened at 11:47 a.m. UNFINISHED BUSINESS • Review proposed Fire Chief's 2018 Performance Elements: There were no changes. Commissioner De Luz motioned to accept. Vice Chair Susman seconded, and it carried unanimously. Review proposed Fire Chief's 2018 Position Description: The salary will be changed to the amount approved by the Salary Commission. Commissioner De Luz motioned to accept. Vice Chair Susman seconded, and it carried unanimously. Review proposed Commission's 2018 Program of Work: Continued to the next meeting. NEW BUSINESS • Selection of Chair and Vice Chair for 2018. Vice Chair Susman nominated Robert Becker as Chair. Commissioner St. Ambrogio seconded, and the vote carried unanimously. Commissioner St. Ambrogio nominated Scott Susman as Vice Chair. Commissioner Payesko seconded, and the vote carried unanimously. CHAIR'S REPORT ON COMMISSION ACTIVITIES • Update on Salary Commission Finding: Chair Becker reported that he gave a statement to the Salary Commission at a previous meeting. He told them that it is Hawaii Fire Commission Minutes of December 13, 2017 Page 4 difficult to have people apply for promotions because of their salaries. The main impetus was to fix the inversion issue. The Fire Chief's salary increase will be effective January 1. County HR told the Salary Commission that it's not the commission's job to determine how the increases would be paid. • Chair Becker and Vice Chair Susman will meet with Chief Rosario to go over his annual evaluation. ANNOUNCEMENTS • Chair Becker announced that the commission's next monthly meeting will be held on January 10, 2018, at 9:00 a.m. in the Aupuni Center Conference Room, 101 Pauahi St., Hilo, Hawaii. • Chair Becker ask for suggestions for the commission's annual report. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 12:40 p.m. SUBMITTED BY: JOSIE PELAYO, SECRETARY APPROVED BY: ROBERT BECKER, CHAIR