HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-02-14 Fire Commission Regular MinutesHAWAII FIRE COMMISSION
MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 14, 2018
WEST HAWAII CIVIC CENTER
74-5044 ANE KEOHOKALOLE HWY, KAILUA-KONA, HI
CALL TO ORDER
Vice Chair Susman called the meeting to order at 9:03 a.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Scott Susman, Vice Chair
Denise Laitinen, Commissioner
Donna Payesko, Commissioner
Marcella St. Ambrogio, Commissioner
Mapuana Waipa, Commissioner
Ralph Yawata, Commissioner
Absent: Robert Becker, Chair
David De Luz, Commissioner
A quorum was present.
Also present: Darren Rosario, Fire Chief
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 (None.)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
• December 13, 2017: Commissioner Waipa motioned to approve the minutes.
Commissioner Laitinen seconded, and it carried unanimously.
FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT
Fire Chief Rosario highlighted items on his written report:
Budget and Finance:
✓2017/18: A written summary was distributed to commissioners. They are still
targeted to be in the black. They were able to purchase vehicles for the BCs to
replace vehicles with over 200,000 miles.
✓2018/19: They took a 3% reduction. They look for alternative funding for training.
They submitted about 20 supplemental requests to their budget. March 1 is the
Mayor's final budget. After that, they will have to negotiate again.
Hawaii Fire Commission
Meeting Minutes
February 14, 2018
Page 2
Alternative Funding and Grants
✓ 2017 AFG Grant: Application submitted for $204,000 for HazMat equipment
✓ 2016 CDBG Grant: The Pahala Wildland Pumper arrived. The radio needs to be
installed and drivers need to be trained.
✓ 2015 AFG Grant: Received 211 replacement self-contained breathing apparatus
inventory and are awaiting additional masks.
✓ 2016 AFG Regional Grant: Have not received word on request for a light and air
response vehicle.
Human Resources Division
✓ Internal Recruitment: Lance Uchida was promoted to Assistant Chief of Support
Services on January 1. A Chief Mechanic applicant was given an offer to start
February 1. There is ongoing recruitment for BC of EMS, Captain of Emergency
Operations, Captain of Prevention Bureau, Fire/EMS Specialist, HR Program
Specialist, and Water Safety Officers.
✓ Open Competitive Recruitment: There is ongoing recruitment for Water Safety
Officer 1 (1/2 T) and Fire Fighter Recruit (Temp).
✓ Employment Development Training: Four employees are scheduled to attend
training on conducting job interviews.
✓ Labor Relations: Internal investigations are being conducted on fire and water
safety personnel.
Emergency Operations Division
✓ Operations: There were numerous structure and brush fires in East and West
Hawaii.
✓ Special Operations
➢ Hazmat: Two personnel will attend a Preventive Radiological/Nuclear
Detection Program in Nevada which is funded by State Civil Defense.
They are in the process of setting up a hazmat technician class to be held
on the Big Island and is grant funded.
➢ Ocean Safety: Two gifting ceremonies were held for those who donated
five rescue boards and two Polaris Rangers to Ocean Safety.
Support Services Division
✓ Training: The 45th Fire Fighter Recruit class will graduate on February 3.
✓ Volunteer Training: Volunteers attended a meeting with new AC Uchida.
✓ EMS Bureau: Captains Ebersole and Hara attended multiple CP and MIH
programs in Pennsylvania and Texas which were funded by the Shippers' Wharf
Grant. HFD is partnering with Hilo Medical Center in rolling out Healthcall EMS
Solutions. They did multiple radio interviews with Sherry Bracken on their CP
program and cardiac resuscitation efforts on the Big Island. They completed
Hands only CPR for the senior class and faculty at Pahoa High School. This will
be also be done at Konawaena High School this month.
✓ Prevention Bureau: The four bureau personnel conducted inspections, plan
reviews, investigated fires, installed smoke alarms, and did residence inspections.
Hawaii Fire Commission
Meeting Minutes
February 14, 2018
Page 3
✓ Auxiliary Services: The email conversion project was completed. New dispatcher
training is being conducted, and new recruitment is being started.
New Projects/Business: The Mayor wants the collated HPD/HFD Dispatch Center
completed during his term.
• Public Relations: Did public service radio announcements with Sherry Bracken.
Other Departmental Activities: Commissioner St. Ambrogio inquired about obtaining
AEDs for her community. Chief Rosario stated that when it comes to a private
community, it's up to the private entity. He recommended that the community contact
their council member. Commissioner St. Ambrogio stated that Council Chair
Poindexter will give them $1,000, but they have questions about training and where it
will be kept.
• 2018 Program of Work Update: Written report was distributed to the commissioners.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
• Review proposed Commission's 2018 Program of Work: Commissioner Laitinen
motioned to approve. Commissioner St. Ambrogio seconded, and it carried
unanimously.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Chair Susman announced that the commission's next monthly meeting will be held on
March 14, 2018, at 9:00 a.m. in the Aupuni Center Conference Room, 101 Pauahi St.,
Hilo, Hawaii.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Waipa motioned to adjourn. Commissioner Yawata seconded, and it
carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 10:31 a.m.
SUBMITTED BY: JOSIE PELAYO, SECRETARY
APPROVED BY: SCOTT SUSMAN, VICE CHAIR