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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-11-14 Fire Commission Regular MinutesHAWAII FIRE COMMISSION REGULAR SESSION MINUTES NOVEMBER 14, 2018 AUPUNI CENTER CONFERENCE ROOM 101 PAUAHI ST., HILO, HAWAII 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 Gregory Henkel, Commissioner Kyle Keamo, Commissioner Denise Laitinen, Commissioner Donna Payesko, Commissioner Marcella St. Ambrogio, Commissioner Ralph Yawata, Commissioner Also Present: Darren Rosario, Fire Chief Renee Schoen, Assistant Corporation Counsel Josie Pelayo, Secretary APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Keamo motioned to approve the agenda. Commissioner Yawata seconded, and it carried unanimously. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS (None) APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 12, 2018 Vice Chair Susman motioned to approve the minutes. Commissioner St. Ambrogio seconded, and it carried unanimously. FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT Chief Rosario briefly highlighted items from his written report: Budget and Finance ✓ FY 2018/2019: Accountant Melanio has done a great job working with FEMA in submitting required documents for reimbursements. ✓ FY 2019/20: They were tasked with a 3% budget reduction. However, they were only able to reduce it by 1 %. Anymore, and they would have to cut services. They have been working with a reduced budget for the past decade. He hopes the Finance Department passes their budget. They want to advocate to the Finance Director to keep their apparatus replacement program going. Hawaii County is running a 20 -year replacement cycle. Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes November 14, 2018 Page 2 Alternative Funding and Grants ✓ 2019 CDBG Paradise Park Ambulance Unit Project: Working on application. ✓ 2018 CDBG Paradise Park Wildland Brush Truck Project: Bid awarded to HSV for a KME apparatus build. ✓ Daniel R. Sayre Memorial Foundation provided funding for out-of-state maintenance training for their mechanics. ✓ Human Resources Division: Internal recruitments were conducted for Battalion Chief of Emergency Operations and Special Operations. They anticipate seven retirements in the next several months. They project 12 captain vacancies. Emergency Operations Division ✓ Battalions 1 and 2 responded to numerous fires and rescues. ✓ Special Services: EMS and Fire Prevention standby units were at the Downtown KWXX Ho`olaule`a. ✓ Hazmat: There is a pending lawsuit against the County and State relating to a chlorine gas leak at BEI. ✓ Ocean Safety: They are looking at placing the towers back at Isaac Hale Beach Park along with portable toilets. They anticipate having services there within a month. In response to Chair Becker's inquiry about fire weather training, Chief stated that it got lost in the eruption event Commissioner St. Ambrogio congratulated the Chief and fire personnel for the rescue in Waimea during the recent rainstorm. Chief Rosario stated that they initially thought it would be a recovery, but it ended being a rescue. He told his personnel not to take any risks. He told the pilot to shut down if needed. It was a long process involving multiple tier repelling. Volunteer Commander Bertsch and his volunteers helped with off-road vehicles. Parker Ranch also helped. They will be meeting with the school to let the students know about the dangers of the area. • Support Services ✓ Prevention Bureau: The bureau continued with its new 24-hour schedule. 187 construction plans were reviewed. ✓ Auxiliary Services: The maintenance shop has been very busy. They still need more work on the volunteer side. Chair Becker asked if they would save money having a mechanic shop on the west side. Chair Rosario stated that they have Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes November 14, 2018 Page 3 not gotten support to build a shop on the west side. There is a directive for no new positions. Chair Becker asked if they could use the Makalei Station for repairs. Chief Rosario said that would need an additional position. The Chief Mechanic needs the personnel in Hilo right now. Vice Chair Susman stated that when he was in the department, they struggled to get a mechanic there. They had an outside mechanic who worked from his step van. When a mechanic was hired for West Hawaii, he was told it was a Hilo position, and he didn't want to move to Hilo. Half of the work is for Kona, and they are getting short-changed Chief Rosario stated that there are no positions for Kona. A position out there would be great. He welcomes the commission's help in advocating for it. Chair Becker stated that they could benefit from a cost analysis. Chief said it could be put into the commission's annual report to the Mayor. (Chief Rosario exited.) NEW BUSINESS Review of 2019 Working Documents: • Fire Chief's Position Description: Chair Becker stated that this is a tool for Commission, and the only change would be the salary. • Fire Chief's Evaluation Structure and Performance Elements • Fire Commission's Calendar of Events • Fire Commission's Program of Work • Fire Commission's Proposed Additions to Chief's 2019 Program of Work: The commission discussed implementing a fire shelter program for all personnel who respond to wildland fires. The Sayre Foundation was suggested as a source for funding. There were no substantive changes to the documents. CHAIR'S REPORT ON MATTERS OF INTEREST TO THE COMMISSION (No additional report given.) EXECUTIVE SESSION Commissioner Henkel motioned to meet in executive session to work on the Fire Chief's annual evaluation and to 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 10:45 a.m. Open session reconvened at 11:36 a.m. Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes November 14, 2018 Page 4 ANNOUNCEMENTS Chair Becker announced that the commission's next monthly meeting is scheduled for December 19, 2018, at 9:00 a.m., in the West Hawaii Civic Center, Building G Conference Room, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. He further announced that they will be voting for a chair and vice chair for 2019 at the next meeting. He and Commissioner Laitinen will end their term on the commission at the end of December. He is willing to stay on for an additional 3 months if needed. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 11:40 a.m. SUBMITTED BY: JOSIE PELAYO, SECRETARY APPROVED BY: ROBERT BECKER, CHAIR