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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1-7-2013 KFC Open Min ApprovedCOUNTY OF KAUAI Minutes of Meeting OPEN SESSION Approved as circulated 2/4/13 Board/Committee: I FIRE COMMISSION Meeting Date I January 7, 2013 Location Mo`ikeha Building, Meeting Room 2A /213 Start of Meeting: 2:04 p.m. I End of Meeting: 3:13 p.m. Present Chair Linda Ka'auwai- Iwamoto; Members: Basilio Fuertes, Jr.; Jesse Fukushima; Jimmy Miranda; Dan Brown Also: Deputy County Attorney Mauna Kea Trask; Boards & Commissions Office Staff: Administrative Specialist 1 Lani Agoot; Administrative Aide Teresa Tamura Excused Guy Croydon Absent SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Call To Order Chair Ka`auwai- Iwamoto called the meeting to order at 2:04 p.m. with 4 members present which Chair Ka`auwai- Iwamoto welcomed Dan Brown, who took the Oath of constituted a quorum. Office on December 26, 2012, as a new member of the Fire Commission. Approval of ■ Regular Open Session Minutes of December 4, 2012 Mr. Fuertes moved to approve the minutes as Minutes circulated. Mr. Fukushima seconded the motion. Motion carried 4:0. Chief s Monthly ■ Overview for the months of October and November 2012 and pertinent Report updates ■ Budget Report as of December 31, 2012 Commissioner Miranda entered meeting at 2:18 Chief Westerman highlighted several activities: Rotary Humanitarian p.m. Awards went to Fire Captain Sal Kanoho; Budget Instruction and Process meeting with the Mayor; Held dedication of new Fire Educational and Safety Trailer; Held an After Action Review on the Tsunami; and completed the long term lease for the helicopter hanger at the Lihu`e Airport. Commissioner Fukushima asked for more information regarding the cost of the lease to which Chief Westerman clarified that the lease is approximately Kauai Fire Commission Open Session January 7, 2013 Page 2 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION $795 per month. Chief Westerman explained that the County would erect the hanger and do site improvements in exchange for a discounted lease rate. Commendations: The department received a letter from Sears Holdings thanking the Fire department for their participation in their 3rd annual safety fair. Operations Bureau: Chief Westerman reported that call loads were picking up due to the increase in tourism. He reported that brush fires are still down, however more intense as in the case of the Koke`e Fire. Apparatus: The Chief reported that most of their apparatus was in service with the exception of the E7 Spare which is inoperable and will be taken off line. He said they have a new engine coming on line in the next budget cycle. Chief Westerman gave a brief summary of events that took place at the various Stations including Station 1 E1 (Hanalei), Station 2 E2 (Kapa`a), Station 3 E3 (Lihu`e Suppression), Station R3 (Lihu`e Rescue), Station 4 E4 (Koloa), Station 5 E5 (Kalaheo), Station 6 E6 (Hanapepe), Station 7 E7 (Waimea), and Station 8 E8 (Kaiakea). Commissioner Fukushima asked for more details regarding the sewage leak at Station 6. The Chief clarified that the pumping station for that area is in front of Station 6 and a call was made to Public Works to make the repairs. Commissioner Fukushima asked if there was any spillage at the station or the surrounding area to which Chief Westerman said there was a small amount at the pump station and it was cleaned up by Public Works. Trainin g Bureau: Chief Westerman highlighted some of the training that Kauai Fire Commission Open Session January 7, 2013 Page 3 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION was held on- island (39 training sessions) and off - island (1 session), including 15t Responder Training, Conflict Resolution Training, National Fire Academy Leadership Class, and Driving Simulator Training. Commissioner Fukushima asked the amount of hours per month being put on the Simulator. Chief Westerman explained that they are trying to get a minimum of 1 crew per month, approximately 40 hours per month. Commissioner Fukushima asked what the Fire Department and the County's responsibility was in the event that the Simulator was to break down, to get it up and running. Chief Westerman said that the Simulator was purchased with an extended year warranty so that it is operational for the first year and anything beyond that is the County's cost to maintain and repair the equipment. Prevention Bureau: Chief Westerman highlighted several items including Additional Dwelling Unit Permits and Building Permit Plan Reviews, and Planning Department Reviews, Business Occupancy Inspections, Fire Safety Inspections, Complaints, and Sparky. Ocean Safety Bureau: Trainings were held including ECCU, CPR training, USLA Recertification, and Aloha Customer Service Training. Chief Westerman reported there were no drownings in the months of October and November. He also reported that the Kekaha Beach erosion has begun to change and there is beach front coming back. They will leave Mr. Fukushima moved to accept the Chief's the tower in its current location over the next year to see if the beach will Monthly Report for October and November and continue to grow in front of it. Chief Westerman reported 2 new hires into order it filed. Mr. Fuertes seconded the motion. temporary positions. Motion carried 5:0 Administration Bureau: Chief Westerman reported 1 new workman's compensation claim from a firefighter by report only, no lost time, and another workman's compensation claim determined by their medical Kauai Fire Commission Open Session January 7, 2013 Page 4 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION examiner and payroll was being processed for that claim. Budget to Date: Chief Westerman reported that the Fire Department was currently at 41.67% overall of their annual budget, with each sub - account as follows: Fire Administration is currently at 38.65% of the annual budget; Fire Operations is at 43.26 %; Rank for Rank is currently at 56.52% of hours used; Fire Prevention is at 41.09 %; Fire Training is at 41.99 %; Ocean Safety Bureau is at 37.00 %; Fire Commission is at 46.89 %. Commissioner Fuertes asked who started the Koke`e fire and Chief Westerman responded that it is currently undetermined. Communications Chair Ka`auwai- Iwamoto asked for any questions regarding the Kauai Water Safety Task Force report that was handed out to the Commission prior to the meeting. Commissioner Fukushima asked for clarification on page 2 of the report under Legislation, as it relates to the term "sheriffs ". Chief Westerman explained that in the past sheriffs have tried to obtain their own collective bargaining unit with no success. Last year water safety officers were pursuing their own collective bargaining unit and the sheriffs took issue since they were unable to obtain their own collective bargaining unit. This year, the sheriffs and the water safety officers are joining Mr. Miranda moved to receive the Kauai Water together to obtain a collective bargaining unit and HGEA has agreed. Safety Task Force report and order it filed. Mr. Commissioner Fukushima asked how that would affect the Fire Department Fukushima seconded the motion. and the Chief responded that it really didn't affect them. Motion carried 5:0 ■ KFC 2013 -01 Letter from Commissioner Fukushima to the County of Kauai Fire Commission. Pursuant to Kauai County Charter section 12.05 (c) Commissioner Fukushima is requesting agenda time to discuss, deliberate and take action on a request to review the department's operations, as deemed necessary, for the purpose of recommending improvements to the Fire Chief. Specifically relating to; (1) Management training programs for Captains and all Kauai Fire Commission Open Session January 7, 2013 Page 5 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION other upper level management, and; (2) Standard operating procedures from the ranks of Captain to Deputy Chief. Commissioner Fukushima explained to the Commission that he had discussed this matter with the Chief several months ago that whenever a lower level fire fighter wanted to be promoted they have to be qualified. He said they discussed any type of standard operating procedures that were currently in place for the upper levels of management to obtain promotions as well. Commissioner Fukushima said the standards should be the same, for public safety and welfare, trying to minimize as much as possible the liability risks to the Fire Department as well as the County. He said hopefully this is a start and asked Chief Westerman if he had given the matter anymore thought in regards to ways to try and approach this particular concern. Chief Westerman responded that he has given it extensive thought and thanked Commissioner Fukushima for the effort he has put behind bringing this matter before the Commission. Chief Westerman explained that up to the Captain level they have a standard that they have to follow, but once they reach the level of Captain that indeed the department is behind. He further explained that until 5 years ago when the Fire Commission was put into place, there were no other options beyond Fire Captain other than Fire Chief. Over the past 5 years they have added new ranks and the department has been struggling internally to try and grow the next Fire Chief. He said currently they had no policy in place to do that. The Chief said they did have some ideas and were starting to provide for training in the budget for Senior Captains and even some Fire Fighter III's, Battalion Chiefs, Assistant Chiefs, and Deputy Chiefs so they can get the education they need to be eligible. Chief Westerman encouraged the Commission to partner with them and provide to the department ideas regarding things they would like to see in the candidates for Fire Chief. He said this would help them Kauai Fire Commission Open Session January 7, 2013 Page 6 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION determine the kind of training they need to be providing the people that will be eligible to apply for those upper level positions. Commissioner Fukushima responded that the reason he brought this to the Chief is that he was the head of the department and has had the opportunity to experience everything that has transpired over the past years since he has been the Fire Chief. Commissioner Fukushima said with that type of experience and knowledge the Chief would know what it would take to become a Fire Chief or a Battalion Chief or Deputy Chief. He said he agreed that it would take a collective effort of not only the Commission but the Chief and people who have had a tremendous amount of years in the Fire Department and may even include the Union and what they would like to see. Commissioner Fukushima said he wanted to start this process now before Chief Westerman retires because he didn't want to see the process become political. Chief Westerman said one thing the Commission could do would be to support the budget and training that he has in the budget. He said that it takes travel to attend some of these trainings. The Chief said since he has been Fire Chief he has encouraged every single fire fighter to attend the National Fire Academy which is external training and interaction with the environment on a larger scale to see how things are done nationally. He said they also bring in some of the National Fire Academy classes to Kauai to provide training locally. Chief Westerman said he would try to put all these ideas into a Standard Operating Procedure or Policy over this next year, with the help of the Commission, so they could move forward. Commissioner Fukushima reiterated the importance of this matter and said that a serious attempt needs to be made before Chief Westerman retires to come up with something that is very pronounced. He said the Kauai Fire Commission Open Session January 7, 2013 Page 7 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Commission's attorney could weigh in whether they have crossed any legal lines in formulating a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). Mr. Fuertes asked the Chief if he was currently mentoring anyone in the department to which Chief Westerman responded mentoring the next Fire Chief was an issue nationwide. He said one reason was that eligible people have said they have seen the job and they don't want it due to the difficulty of the job. The Chief said he feels they need to have at least 10 or more candidates to choose from to replace him in order to find 1 to fill his position. Chief Westerman said his number one job aside from making it a safe department was to work himself out of a job. He said in order to do that he must provide the Commission with viable candidates to take the position. Chief Westerman said there were a lot of people in the department right now that would make a good Fire Chief; they just need to be encouraged. Commissioner Brown added that he felt the men themselves needed to believe they have a fair shot at being promoted once they get the education and once they put the time and effort into it. He said it would be nice to have 3 or 4 men with the Chief's knowledge to help the Chief out. Commissioner Brown suggested some type of program that could help the Mr. Fukushima moved to receive the letter young fire fighters along to obtain their goals. addressed to the Kauai Fire Commission. Mr. Fuertes seconded the motion. Commissioner Fukushima addressed the Commission saying he felt the Motion carried 5:0 direction they wanted to take was clear and it was a good start. He said he hoped before the calendar year ends or the fiscal year ends they would have a basic format developed for discussion and improvements. ■ KFC 2013 -02 Election of Chair and Vice Chair Mr. Miranda nominated Guy Croydon as Chair. Mr. Fuertes seconded the motion. Motion carried 5:0 Kauai Fire Commission Open Session January 7, 2013 Page 8 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Mr. Fukushima nominated Jimmy Miranda as Vice Chair. Mr. Fuertes seconded the motion. Motion carried 5:0 Mr. Miranda took over the floor as Chair in Guy Croydon's absence. ■ KFC 2013 -03 Approval of 2013 Meeting Schedule Mr. Fukushima moved to approved 2013 Meeting Schedule. Mr. Fuertes seconded the motion. Motion carried 5:0 Executive Pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes § §92 -4 and 92 -5 (a) (2) (4), 92 -9 Deputy County Attorney Mauna Kea Trask read Session (a)(1 -4) (b), the purpose of this executive session is to receive and approve the Hawaii Revised Statues as described on the Executive Session minutes, to consider the evaluation of an officer or agenda that would take the Commission into employee where consideration of matters affecting privacy may be Executive Session for items ES -I and ES -2. involved, provided that if the individual concerned requests an open meeting, an open meeting shall be held, and to consult with the Commission's legal counsel on issues pertaining to the Commission's and the County's powers, duties, privileges, immunities, and/or liabilities as they may relate to this item, deliberate and take such action as appropriate. • ES -1 Executive Session Minutes of December 4, 2013 • ES -2 Discussion of the duties and powers of the Fire Commission with Legal Counsel as they pertain to Commissioner Fukushima's Mr. Fuertes moved to convene into Executive communication Session at 2:45 p.m. Ms. Ka'auwai- Iwamoto seconded the motion. Motion carried 5:0. ES -1: Motion to Approve carried 5:0 ES -2: No action taken Kauai Fire Commission Open Session January 7, 2013 Page 9 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Return to Open The meeting reconvened in open session at 3:00 Session p.m. Business KFC 2013 -04 Discussion, deliberation and decision making regarding Commissioner Fukushima's request to review the department's operations, as deemed necessary, for the purpose of recommending improvements to the Fire Chief. Specifically Mr. Fukushima moved to approve the request to relating to; (1) Management training programs for Captains and all discuss and send recommendations to the Fire other upper level management, and; (2) Standard operating Chief as stated in the letter. Mr. Fuertes procedures from the ranks of Captain to Deputy Chief. seconded the motion. Motion carried 5:0 Announcements Next Meeting: Monday, February 4, 2013 — 2:00 p.m., Mo`ikeha Building, Meeting Room 2A/B Adjournment Mr. Fuertes moved to adjourn the meeting at 3:13 p.m. Ms. Kaauwai- Iwamoto seconded the motion. Motion carried 5:0. Submitted by: Lani Agoot, Administrative Specialist 1 () Approved as is. () Approved with amendments. See minutes of Reviewed and Approved by: meeting. Jimmy Miranda, Vice Chair