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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013_0805 KFC Open Min DRAFT finalRRIFTT�� B�e�Agiyroue COUNTY OF KAUAI Minutes of Meeting OPEN SESSION Board/Committee: I FIRE COMMISSION Meeting Date August 5, 2013 Location Mo`ikeha Building, Meeting Room 2A /213 Start of Meeting: 2:12 p.m. I End of Meeting: 3:32 p.m. Present Chair Jimmy Miranda; Vice Chair Jesse Fukushima; Members: Heidy Huddy - Yamamoto; Dan Brown; Savita Agarwal (entered at 3:03 p.m.) Also: Deputy Fire Chief John Blalock; Deputy County Attorney Jennifer Winn; Boards & Commissions Office Staff. Support Clerk Cherisse Zaima; Administrator Paula Morikami Excused Eugene Jimenez Absent SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Call To Order Chair Miranda called the meeting to order at 2:12 p.m. with 4 members present, constituting a quorum. Mr. Brown shared with the Commission the news of the passing of Fire Chief Damien Victorino and shared his personal reflections of the Chief. He is hoping the Commission will be able to draft a letter to the family expressing their appreciation for Chief Victorino's service to the County and that he will be missed. Mr. Fukushima asked if that could be done in the form of a resolution to which Deputy County Attorney Winn explained that it could not be done today as it is not posted on the agenda; however, a card signed by all Commissioners could be sent. Mr. Fukushima shared his personal thoughts on Chief Victorino Chair Miranda requested the assistance of Boards and Commissions staff to have a card sent. Approval of Kauai Fire Commission Open Session August 5, 2013 Page 2 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Minutes ■ Regular Open Session Minutes of July 1, 2013 Mr. Fukushima moved to approve the minutes as circulated. Mr. Brown seconded the motion. Motion carried 4:0 Chief's Monthly ■ Overview for the month of June 2013 and pertinent updates Report ■ Budget Report as of June 30, 2013 Deputy Chief Blalock offered his personal reflections of Chief Victorino. Chief Blalock stated he would be filling in for Chief Westerman who was out of State representing the State of Hawaii at a Fire Marshall's Conference in Annapolis. Chief Blalock gave an overview of the Chief's monthly report. Operations Bureau Referencing the pre - planning being done for various businesses listed under Station Updates, Ms. Huddy- Yamamoto asked what pre - planning is and what it entails, to which Chief Blalock explained the elements of pre- planning and how the information is tied in to the MDTs (Mobile Data Terminals). Training Bureau Swift water train- the - trainer classes in Colorado were attended by three (3) fire personnel. Chief Blalock stated that they deal with swift water more than anybody else, noting the numerous rivers and tributaries that outnumber those on any other island in the State. The fact that they have never had training despite how often they deal with swift water rescues was brought to the forefront shortly after the recent large -scale HanakapPai rescue. The three newly trained personnel are working with the Deputy Chief on a training plan on how to implement swift water training for the De artment. Kauai Fire Commission Open Session August 5, 2013 Page 3 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Mr. Fukushima asked if they found any physical difference between Colorado and Hawaii to which Chief Blalock replied there is, but the training has provided basic guidelines that can be implemented in any situation. The Colorado training regiment will be adapted to fit Kaua`i's needs when it is implemented for KFD's personnel; this will also tie in to doing pre - planning for river and swift water rescues. Mr. Fukushima commented that back in the early `90's there was some discussion at County Council on early warning systems for the rivers on Kauai that would benefit Civil Defense, the Fire Department, and the Police Department; he is unsure if the County has pursued anything on developing that since then. Chief Blalock explained some of the early warning systems are already in place, noting some of the new things they are looking into implementing in conjunction with other agencies outside of the County. Prevention Bureau Mr. Brown mentioned that he was informed that the drowning prevention display at the airport seemed very popular with people stopping to watch and additionally, going to the kiosk for brochures. Chief Blalock talked about the definition of drowning and what is often attributed to a drowning; there may be other factors, one of which is often people overestimating their own abilities and underestimating dangerous situations. Mr. Miranda asked what Firewise /CWPP was. Chief Blalock explained the Firewise program and the benefits of a CWPP (Community Wildland Protection Plan). Kauai Fire Commission Open Session August 5, 2013 Page 4 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Ocean Safety Bureau The Junior Lifeguard program is in its 10th year and once again won the State Championships this year. Two programs were being offered, the Junior Lifeguard program for ages 13 -17 and the Keiki Junior Lifeguard program for ages 8 -12. The Keiki Junior Lifeguard program received an overwhelming response and needed to be expanded. With the help of the Kauai Lifeguard Association, the Junior Lifeguard program is taking 20 participants to the National Championships in California. At the request of Mr. Fukushima, Chief Blalock elaborated on the two incidents listed under Anahola Tower update and further commented on some of the problems the lifeguards have been having with homeless individuals on the beaches. Chief Blalock highlighted the commendations KFD received from the public. Mr. Fukushima moved to accept the Chief's Budget Report Monthly Report and Budget Report. Mr. Brown Chief Blalock gave an overview of the budget report. seconded the motion. Motion carried 4:0 Communications ■ Follow -up memo dated July 2, 2013 to Council Chair Furfaro from the Commission regarding recovery of rescue expenses related to the use of the County of Kauai helicopter Mr. Fukushima elaborated on the content of the letter and provided some background information on the issue that prompted the response to Council Chair Furfaro. Kauai Fire Commission Open Session August 5, 2013 Page 5 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION There was discussion on how to determine what is considered a recoverable Ms. Agarwal entered the meeting at 3:03 p.m. expense, the training and expense involved in investigating it, who would make the determination, and the potential liabilities that may arise from such determinations. Additionally, there was discussion on the responsibilities of first responders in relation to this issue and what will be required of them. Ms. Winn gave an example of what the process may be like should they choose to seek reimbursement. Mr. Brown offered insight on the nature of a firefighter's job and what should be expected of them as a first responder during a rescue, which he feels should not be focused on determining recoverability. Chief Blalock stated that the Department is working on presenting something to the State Legislature to try and recover some expenses for Mr. Fukushima moved to receive the memo to services that cover State entities. Council Chair Jay Furfaro. Mr. Brown seconded the motion. Motion carried 5:0. Executive Pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes § §92 -4 and 92 -5 (a) (4), 92 -9 (a) (1 -4) Deputy County Attorney Jennifer Winn read the Session (b), the purpose of this executive session is to receive and approve Hawaii Revised Statues as described on the Executive Session minutes and to consult with the Commission's legal agenda that would take the Commission into counsel on issues pertaining to the Commission's and the County's powers, Executive Session for item ES -007 and ES -008. duties, privileges, immunities, and/or liabilities as they may relate to this item, deliberate and take such action as appropriate. • ES -008 Executive Session minutes of July 1, 2013 • ES -007 Discussion regarding Recovery of Rescue Expenses Related by the County of Kauai for rescues performed by the Fire Mr. Fukushima moved to convene into executive Department session at 3:15 p.m. Mr. Brown seconded the Kauai Fire Commission Open Session August 5, 2013 Page 6 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION motion. Motion carried 5:0. Return to Open Ratify Commission actions taken in the Executive Session for item: The meeting reconvened in open session at 3:30 Session ES -007 p.m. ES -008 Mr. Brown moved to ratify the Commission's actions taken in executive session. Mr. Fukushima seconded the motion. Motion carried 5:0. Announcements Next Meeting: Tuesday, September 3, 2013 — 2:00 p.m., Mo`ikeha Building, Meeting Room 2A/B The resolution for former Fire Chief Victorino will be placed on the agenda for the next meeting. Adjournment Mr. Fukushima moved to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Huddy- Yamamoto seconded the motion. Motion carried 5:0. The meeting was adjourned at 3:32 p.m. Submitted by: Cherisse Zaima, Support Clerk () Approved as is. () Approved with amendments. See minutes of Reviewed and Approved by: meeting. Jimmy Miranda, Chair