Hawaii County Fire Commission met May 23.
Here are the minutes provided by the commission:
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Chair Kosaki called the meeting to order at 9: 01 a. m.
Present: Gerald Kosaki, Chair
Carlene Wolf, Vice Chair
Brian Cushnie, Commissioner
Steven Hirakami, Commissioner
Corey Luke, Commissioner
Shon Magsalin, Commissioner
Wesley Mattos, Commissioner
Wayne Perrin Jr., Commissioner
A quorum was present.
Also present: Kazuo Todd, Fire Chief
Sinclair Salas-Ferguson, Deputy Corporation Counsel
Charisse Correa, Secretary
PUBLIC STATEMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS ( None)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chair Kosaki asked if there were any discussions regarding the minutes. Hearing none, the minutes from the April 30, 2024 meeting were approved.
FIRE CHIEF' S REPORT
Chief Todd highlighted items from the Fire Chief's Report. A detailed report is on file. Highlights: HFD recently welcomed four new brush trucks to their fleet. The blessing ceremony took place on April 10, 2024, at the Haihai Station. However, not all of the trucks are currently in service, as some need issues to be resolved. Additionally, a new rescue boat named Palekana was inaugurated on April 27, 2024. While it is not
yet in use due to necessary final training on the new electronics and some functional issues, it is expected to go out for repairs this week. The previous rescue boat, Radon, is also in the repair shop for fuel tank repairs. The Hawaiian Electric Wildfire Safety Symposium was held on April 10- 11, 2024, focusing on reducing wildfire risks in Hawaii and enhancing community safety.
Chair Kosaki inquired whether the brush trucks come equipped with the necessary gear or if he would need to purchase it separately. Chief Todd explained that some arrived with hoses, while others had no equipment at all. Donations vary, and sometimes they include equipment, but other times they do not.
Chair Kosaki asked about fuel reduction efforts. Chief Todd explained they currently lack the staffing and manpower for direct action. They applied for a CWDG grant to create a prevention wing, but it wasn't approved. Discussion included the approval of grants for Hilo and Puna to complete their community wildfire protection plans, while grants for a prevention system and a chipper program were not approved. Post disaster mitigation grants are being pursued with HWMO to recertify projects, and about $3 million may become available from the August 8t" fires on Hawai' i Island and Maui, but it will take time.
Chair Kosaki inquired about the chipper program. Chief Todd clarified that the CWDG grant would have allowed them to own chippers for their programs, but it was not approved. Chair Kosaki emphasized the importance of vigilance with green waste distribution due to the emerging presence of the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle on the island.
Commissioner Hirakami joined the meeting at 9:20 a. m.
Fiscal Branch Report: Chief Todd reported that the goal for salaries and wages is 87.5%, and they are currently at 83. 75%, indicating a good position. He mentioned that grant numbers are down because some projects won' t be completed until later in the fiscal year, and funds for purchases are already secured. The total budget is on target at approximately 83%.
Alternative Funding & Grants: The bid for three brush trucks, totaling $ 625,693, was awarded to Orchid Isle Ford, with delivery pending. For the AFG Fire Base Station Refresh Project, 94% of the funds have been obligated, with four months remaining. The bid for one brush truck under the 2022 USDA Capacity Project is still awaiting arrival through Orchid Isle. The 2023 USDA Capacity Project bid was also awarded to Orchid Isle. The Kohanaiki lifeguard tower is expected to be delivered by the end of the year, and the requisition with specifications for the Leleiwi lifeguard tower has been submitted to Purchasing.
Commissioner Mattos inquired about the dedication of the new brush trucks. Chief Todd responded that they might be assigned to 5A, 5D, or 10A. He confirmed that the new trucks are for the volunteers, noting that CBDG funds are limited to income limited locations and come with low-income requirements, noting that CBDG-funded vehicles must remain in their original jurisdictions. Commissioner Mattos asked if all volunteer trucks were from CBDG. Chief Todd said some were excess career
vehicles, donations, or bought through fundraisers and CBDG grants. Commissioner Mattos mentioned complaints from Station 12 about old trucks. Chief Todd explained that Station 12 isn' t eligible for CBDG funding but highlighted the vehicle replacement plan. He noted an increase in the vehicle replacement budget from $ 1 million to $ 2. 2 million, with new vehicles for Engines 10, 19, and Hazmat 4 in procurement, and future replacements for Engines 3, 4, and possibly 12. Commissioner Mattos clarified that new vehicles will go to the volunteer station inKau, not the career station. Chief Todd confirmed and added that Kau already has new vehicles of better quality.
Chair Kosaki asked if the AFG Grant covers any vehicle replacements. Chief Todd responded that AFG currently doesn't fund vehicle replacements. He explained their priority-based fleet replacement plan and the procurement process, noting that it used to take one fiscal year to receive an ordered vehicle, but now it takes up to four years.
Personnel Report: Interviews were held for two candidates for Battalion Chief Emergency Communications) in April. Captain Domingo was promoted to this position as of May 1 st. Sixteen candidates took the written exam for Fire Captain, with seven passing. Interviews and assessment center are pending for the Fire Equipment Operator. One candidate passed the written exam for Fire/ Hazardous Material Specialist. Water Safety Officer III interviews were held for ten candidates on April 23-24. DHR referred three names for the Water Safety Officer V position, interviews are pending. Thirteen Fire Communication Officer candidates participated in a realistic job preview in April, with interviews pending. Richard Furtado, Fire Equipment Mechanic was hired on April 3, 2024. There will be an additional vacancy for the West Hawaii mechanic position as of July 1 st. DHR referred 50 names for Water Safety Officer I; 24 candidates showed up, and about 12 passed the assessment. Nine conditional offers and five alternative conditional offers were sent out to candidates for Fire Fighter Recruit. Two conditional offers were sent out for Fire/EMS Recruit (temp).
In the HR Branch report, the program budget goals section contains an error. Chief Todd clarified that the intended wording is " less than 30 days," not "greater than 30 days."
Total Calls for Service: In April, there were 2, 487 calls, bringing the year-to-date total to 10, 225. Fire calls accounted for 3%, while rescue/EMS calls made up 74%. Service calls were 6% and good intent calls comprised 15%.
Emergency Operations:
o Battalion 1 ( East Hawai' i): There was a structure fire on Kaumana Drive, resulting in a total loss. There was a 120- gallon propane tank that was venting. Another structure fire occurred in Hakalau, where limited access due to bridge closures delayed the response. By the time firefighters arrived, the entire structure had collapsed. Chief Todd mentioned that the 911 system was down during this time, and he has not yet received a report on the cause of the outage.
o Battalion 2 ( West Hawai' i): There were several relatively small brush fires, affecting areas of/4 acre, '/ 2 acre, and approximately 2, 000 square feet. Fortunately, no homes or property were damaged.
Special Operations:
o Haz- Mat: Hazmat companies completed their CST training in April, from the 15t" to the 19t". A full-scale, multi- agency drill with CST is planned for June, followed by training with the Department of Health in September.
o Ocean Safety: One WSO I candidate was hired on May 16t"
o Rescue: The Radon is currently at Riddle Marine for boat tank replacement.
Support Services:
o Emergency Medical Services: Captain Lam attended the ESO Wave Conference in Austin, Texas. EMS and Training Branches collaborated with HPD on a three-day ALERRT Active Shooter Training for roughly 30 participants from both departments. The EMS Branch facilitated three I- Gel Supraglottic Airway webinars and participated in the State Department of Health' s quarterly meeting. FMS II assessment center was held on April 18t" and personnel have transitioned to permanent positions. EMS Branch personnel volunteered as judges for the Waiakea High School Health Academy senior project. The Fall 2023 paramedic class of eight will begin their third rotation this month. The 52nd firefighter recruit class has completed
EMT training and is back with the Training Branch, their graduation ceremony will be in July.
Regarding the paramedic class, Commissioner Cushnie wanted to know if this would significantly improve staffing levels. Chief Todd stated that once this class goes out on the line, the department will be close to fully staffed. However, this would likely last around a year. There' s a significant number of
personnel who will be eligible for retirement in 2025. Commissioner Cushnie asked if there would be another class that would start after this one. Chief Todd explained there would be a class continuously.
o Training Services: The Active Attack Integrated Response training was opened to operations personnel. The 52nd recruit class completed Fire Ground Survival training. Additionally, they joined HFD Volunteer Firefighters for Wildland Firefighting Training at Pohakuloa.
Commissioner Mattos asked about HFD' s interest in live burns, noting that recruits used to participate in them. Chief Todd explained that the United States halted live burns due to numerous safety issues. Recently, the NFPA issued guidelines on conducting live burns safely. Chief Todd mentioned that meeting these safety requirements is costly for fire departments, making live burns challenging but not impossible. Currently, HFD partners with PTA, which has a three- container system on its property, where they conduct live burn training.
o Volunteer Training: The volunteer captains' meeting took place in Ainaloa on April 20tn. Volunteer companies also participated in a multi- company drill in Waikoloa. Additionally, Company 1A ( Pepeekeo) assisted with two structure fires and took part in the Merrie Monarch parade and the Boy Scouts' Makahiki Festival.
o Fire Prevention: The Fire Prevention Branch investigated a structure fire in District 4, which is classified as undetermined due to the instability of the structure, preventing investigator entry, and significant destruction of the area of origin. A recent ATF report revealed that evidence was recovered from a high- profile structure fire in Holualoa in July 2023. Chief Todd noted that this structure had an external battery system, to his knowledge, it was not a Powerall. ATF tested the capacitor and found no evidence of electrical failure, suggesting a possible wiring issue.
Additionally, the Prevention Branch has started a podcast called " Fire Tip Tuesdays," where they educate the public on various fire safety topics. The podcast series is available on HFD' s YouTube channel. They are also working on wildfire preparedness, conducting home assessments, and meeting with HOAs and HWMO to help communities become fire-wise.
Recess was called at 10: 21 a. m., the meeting reconvened at 10: 36 a. m.
Logistics, Emergency Communications, and Vehicle Maintenance Section: Three Fire Communication Officer Is ( FCO) were promoted, continuing with a class of five FCO Is. A realistic job preview for the next FCO class was held on April 26tn. Captain Domingo was promoted to Battalion Chief of Fire Communications.
Information Technology Highlights: HFD received three fire trucks from Honolulu and completed MDT setups on them, including the required Spillman patch installation.
Safety Specialist Report: The Safety Specialist oversaw various safety initiatives in April. They're conducting HiOSH inspections and issuing safety advisories to keep personnel informed about potential hazards like pertussis outbreaks and E. coli contamination. Additionally, they're collaborating with HFD/ HFFA Joint Safety Committee through regular meetings. Additionally, they've taken on some duties related to coordinating continuity of operations planning, ensuring the department's ability to function effectively during unforeseen circumstances. HFD exercised the COOP plan coinciding with a state-wide tsunami exercise on April 25tn
There was a discussion about communication and information access during emergencies. This includes connection to WIFI, internet via Starlink satellites, mobile data signals, cellular towers, and a county-wide camera system. Chief Todd mentioned considering AT&T towers and radio towers for camera placement, along with existing towers at hotels and state facilities. The goal is to integrate these resources into the Alert Hawaii Platform, allowing the Emergency Operations Center EOC) to display a comprehensive real-time view of the island. This includes existing traffic cameras, hotel cameras, and ocean/ beach cameras. This enhanced situational awareness will give responders a clearer picture of events as they unfold.
Chair Kosaki inquired if the camera system is accessible to the public. Chief Todd responded that he believes no login is required for access. He explained that the Alert system operates not only in Hawaii but also across much of the United States, primarily on the West Coast and in Alaska. Additionally, there are some cameras on the East Coast, and other states have been adopting the system as well.
Chair Kosaki wanted to know the status of the hydrant maintenance. Chief Todd explained ongoing collaboration with the union, the Department of Water Supply, and their legal team. They have scheduled a meeting to further discuss the matter. He noted that everyone agrees on where their responsibilities lie, they need to clearly define each party' s role.
Chair Kosaki asked if volunteer firefighters are receiving the same uniforms as the regular firefighters, noting that this issue has been affecting morale. Chief Todd explained that, legally, the volunteers are part of the department. Volunteer captains were issued uniforms 10 years ago, which they wear to quarterly meetings but not while responding to incidents. For responses, volunteers use department-issued bunker gear and wear HFD t-shirts labeled " volunteer," which they purchase themselves. Recently, volunteers have requested that Fire Equipment Operators who have served for five years be issued uniforms to wear to the quarterly meetings. This request is currently being considered, as it is difficult to deny those who have dedicated five years of service. Chief Todd emphasized that these uniforms are not for public appearances or for making command decisions. His goal is not to create a career-style firefighting force from the volunteers but to build an island- wide response force that can supplement current responders by providing additional resources, such as water at scenes.
Chair Kosaki inquired about the replacement of Kalei Gregory, leading to a discussion on helicopter transports for life-threatening conditions. Commissioner Cushnie elaborated on the procedures, including night flight rules and inter-facility transfers. Chief Todd explained that a battalion chief must approve chopper transports. Cushnie pointed out that this requirement can be cumbersome, as decisions need to be made quickly. If the battalion chief cannot be reached promptly, the on- scene captain is authorized to make the decision. Chief Todd emphasized the importance of completing paperwork and checklists to comply with public use regulations for the helicopter.
Chief Todd mentioned that after receiving a two-week notice, they quickly began searching for a replacement, conducted interviews, and recently signed a contract.
Commissioner Cushnie then asked about pilot wages and retention strategies. Chief Todd explained that while pilots are currently under contract without retirement benefits, they are considering the advantages of the civil service system, which offers retirement benefits even though the salary might be lower.
Chief Todd also referred to a previous issue involving the privatization of a job at the Kona dump, which led to a lawsuit filed by a union leader. The court ruled in favor of the union, establishing that the work should remain civil service ( known as the Konno case). This ruling changed the policy statewide, making it clear that once a job is classified as civil service, it cannot be privatized again. Chief Todd explained that this policy also applies to their pilots; if Hawaii County transitions to civil service for pilots, it would be a permanent change, committing the county to manage these services internally indefinitely.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Discussion regarding the Annual Fire Commission Reports.
The commission reviewed and discussed the annual reports for 2021- 2023. Chair Kosaki pointed out a discrepancy in the 2021 report, indicating that his name needs to be added to it. Chair Kosaki asked Commissioner Luke if an annual evaluation for Chief Todd was completed in 2021, covering April to December. Commissioner Luke explained that while Chief Todd was initially selected in March, his official start date was April 14t" due to some issues that needed addressing. Chair Kosaki mentioned that he joined the commission in May after Chief Todd had already been selected. Commissioner Luke recalled conducting a scoring exercise but noted that all copies were turned in to the previous commission secretary, and none were kept by him. He added that there was a period when the commission did not have a permanent secretary until Ms. Correa started.
Chair Kosaki stated that the first evaluation the commission completed during his tenure as chair covered July 2021 to June 2022, as Chief Todd began in April 2021. He is not aware of any other evaluation conducted from April to December. He inquired with Ms. Correa if there was an evaluation on file from 2021, and she confirmed there was not. Commissioner Luke will make the necessary revisions to remove that entry after a final review. Chair Kosaki confirmed that everyone had the opportunity to review the 2022 and 2023 Annual Reports. This matter will be continued at the next meeting.
DCC Salas-Ferguson asked if the commission completes the annual reports on a fiscal or calendar year basis, as there are two different reports. Chair Kosaki clarified that both reports were done on a calendar year basis. He feels it' s appropriate to keep the annual reports on a calendar year. However, regarding the evaluation of the chief, who started in April, they felt it wouldn't be fair to evaluate him on just the few months he was there, so the commission agreed to evaluate him from June to July, to ensure a more comprehensive assessment, as per the commission rules requiring an annual evaluation.
DCC Salas-Ferguson suggested the commission consider aligning both reports with the calendar year for simplicity. Further discussion ensued regarding the timing of the annual chief evaluation, and whether it should follow the fiscal or calendar year. It was decided to add this topic to the agenda for the next meeting for further discussion.
Chair Kosaki informed the commission that he would not be available for the next meeting and inquired whether they would like to reschedule. They agreed to reschedule for Tuesday, June 25t". Ms. Correa will verify venue availability for that date.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Review, discuss, and finalize the letter addressed to the Mayor's Office in response to Correspondence No. 23- 03 from the Department of Human Resources regarding the review of the commission' s secretary position.
Chair Kosaki stated he needed to confirm a few details before drafting a letter to the Mayor's Office. He asked for clarification on creating a letter regarding a backup secretary in case their current secretary is unavailable and whether they need to specify if the backup would come from the Police Department, Fire Department, or Mayor's Office.
DCC Salas-Ferguson, who was not present at the Kona meeting, confirmed that the commission is drafting a letter to the Mayor's Office to request additional support. Chair Kosaki explained that they wanted to reallocate the secretary's position to a higher SR rating, but there were issues with that. At the last meeting, DCC Wong suggested the best solution was to request a backup secretary to ensure the commission could continue its business, noting they recently went five months without a secretary and couldn't hold meetings until Ms. Correa returned.
DCC Salas-Ferguson advised that the commission does not need to specify where the backup secretary would come from. Chair Kosaki stated that he would draft the letter and send it to Ms. Correa for distribution so the commission can review it before the next meeting.
Commissioner Hirakami emphasized the importance of highlighting that without a backup secretary, the commission was unable to meet for five months. Chair Kosaki agreed, and Ms. Correa added that this was the second time it happened; after Ms. Pelayo retired, the commission couldn't meet for six months.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Chair Kosaki announced that Ms. Correa will verify if they can reschedule their next regular meeting to June 25, 2024. If the venue is unavailable and there is a quorum, they will proceed with the meeting on June 27, 2024 at the West Hawaii Civic Center, Building A, Council Chambers.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 12: 00 p. m.
https://records.hawaiicounty.gov/weblink/1/doc/136029/Page1.aspx