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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014_0804 KFC Open Minutes APPROVEDCOUNTY OF KAUAI Minutes of Meeting OPEN SESSION Board /Committee: FIRE COMMISSION Meeting Date August 4, 2014 Location Mo`ikeha Building, Meeting Room 2A /213 Start of Meeting: 2:02 p.m. End of Meeting: 4:04 p.m. Present Chair Jesse Fukushima; Vice Chair Eugene Jimenez; Members: Heidy Huddy- Yamamoto; Jimmy Miranda; Savita Agarwal Also: Battalion Chief Albert Kaui; Boards & Commissions Office Staff: Support Clerk Cherisse Zaima, Administrative Aide Teresa quorum. Tamura, Administrator Paula Morikami; Deputy County Attorney Nicholas Courson Chair Fukushima suspended the rules to allow for the following Guests: Mayor Bernard Carvalho; Governor's Liaison Wanda Shibata; KFD Rescue Personnel Captain Gordon Tamura, Firefighters Aaron Hawthorne, Bryan Doo, Adam Hussey, and Air 1 Pilot Clifton Cates; KFD Summer Interns Tyler Topenio and Leah Emura Excused Dan Brown Absent Bradley Maruyama SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Call To Order Chair Fukushima called the meeting to order at 2:02 p.m. with 5 members present, constituting a quorum. Chair Fukushima suspended the rules to allow for the following presentations to the Kauai Fire Department Rescue crew and Air 1 helicopter pilot who were involved in the April 6th and 7th, 2014 Hanakapi`ai rescue for which they were awarded the International Association of Fire Chiefs Benjamin Franklin Award for Valor. Mayor Bernard Carvalho presented a proclamation to the KFD Rescue crew and Air 1 Helicopter pilot involved in the Hanakapi ai rescue. Governor's Liaison Wanda Shibata presented certificates of commendation to each member of the rescue crew, and the helicopter pilot involved in the Hanakapi`ai rescue. Kauai Fire Commission Open Session August 4, 2014 Page 2 The Fire Commission presented a resolution of commendation to the KFD Rescue crew and Air 1 pilot involved in the HanakapPai rescue. Each presenter expressed immense gratitude, and highlighted the bravery and heroism of these individuals as well as their professionalism and spirit of aloha. Fire Captain Gordon Tamura expressed his appreciation to the Fire Commission for recognizing the job they do, noting that people do not realize the importance of the County owning the helicopter. Often times, people do not realize what the Firefighters really do until they need to be rescued, and he greatly appreciates the recognition as well as all the support for the helicopter program from the Fire Commission, the Mayor and the County Council, Firefighter Aaron Hawthorne expressed great praise for Captain Tamura and his amazing ability and insight in teaching them the skills they require. He noted that all the support they have received in obtaining the helicopter has made a huge difference on how they are able to respond to these types of calls. Time was a critical factor in this particular rescue, and not having the helicopter would have resulted in a very different outcome. He thanked the Commission, the Mayor, and the Chief for helping the Department acquire the helicopter, and all the necessary training to enable them to help keep the community safe. Ms. Huddy- Yamamoto stated how proud and honored she is to serve on the Fire Commission, commenting that every meeting shows what a great job they do. The general public does not always recognize everything the firefighters do, and being a member of the Commission has been a learning experience that she greatly appreciates. Chair Fukushima stated the department has progressed a lot over the Kauai Fire Commission Open Session August 4, 2014 Pate 3 and he is happy to see that the Fire Department today is well - equipped, well - trained, and has demonstrated the importance of obtaining updated equipment for life - saving measures. He thanked the rescue crew, noting that every letter he sees included in the monthly Department report is one of thanks, and he commends them for the great work they do. Approval of Regular Open Session Minutes of July 7, 2014 Mr. Jimenez moved to approve the open session Minutes minutes. Mr. Miranda seconded the motion. Motion carried 5:0. Chiefs Monthly ■ Overview for the month of June 2014 and pertinent updates Report ■ Budget Report as of June 30, 2014 Battalion Chief Albert Kaui provided an overview of the Chief's monthly report and budget report. (On file) Fire Prevention Captain Daryl Date introduced Tyler Topenio and Leah Emura, who were assigned to the Prevention Bureau as summer interns. Mr. Topenio and Ms. Emura provided a Powerpoint presentation and short video highlighting the work they did on the Fire Department's Education and Marketing Plan. (On file) Ms. Huddy- Yamamoto commented that she is astounded by their talents, and thanked them for their dedication and work. Ms. Agarwal thanked Mr. Topenio and Ms. Emura for their incredible presentation, but questioned why ocean safety was not included in the presentation, and asked if that could be included. Mr. Topenio replied the reason ocean safety was not included was because they did not have access to the Ocean Safety Bureau's documents and information such as photos or video footage. Ms. Emura added that for their internship they were specifically assigned to the Prevention Bureau, they primarily focused on Kauai Fire Commission Open Session August 4, 2014 Page 4 that, and did not have as much access to Ocean Safety as they would have liked to. Ms. Agarwal stated that even if they were not able to access photos or video footage, they could have included ocean safety prevention information such as they did for the fire side. Mr. Topenio replied yes, that could be added. Fire Inspector Kilipaki Vaughan further explained that he requested for and was assigned to supervise the interns. Though he had a plan ahead of time for what he wanted them to do, upon discussing their educational goals and specific majors, he decided to go forward using their strengths. In reference to the absence of the ocean safety information, Mr. Vaughan explained that each bureau within the Fire Department has the opportunity to request their own interns, and though there is a way to include that message, these interns were primarily focused on the Prevention Bureau's message. Ms. Agarwal stated because of all the drownings that have been of concern, she feels that it should be publicized since everything comes under the Fire Department. She feels it should be included so that the public will know that the Fire Department has extra, added on duties as compared to mainland fire departments. Mr. Jimenez commended Ms. Emura and Mr. Topenio for a job well done, noting the tremendous task in putting all of that together in just six weeks. He clarified Ms. Agarwal's concerns about upgrading the image of the Fire Department, specifically through the Ocean Safety Bureau and collaboration with the visitor industry in helping with resources and marketing assistance. However, given the time and resources that were available to the interns, he feels they did a tremendous job and sees it as a first step. The second step could be to have each bureau request their own summer interns to do a similar project. As a Commission, he suggested Kauai Fire Commission Open Session August 4, 2014 Page 5 they request an extension of this marketing plan to include the various bureaus. Mr. Miranda acknowledged Ms. Agarwal's concerns, but noted that there are numerous ways that the public is being informed about ocean safety such as the videos shown at the airport. He stated that fire prevention encompasses a great deal and they can only do so much, adding that the Ocean Safety Bureau has been doing a great job in getting the message out; however, it's impossible to prevent everything. He commented that he is very impressed by the presentation given by Mr. Topenio and Ms. Emura, stating it has opened his eyes to the possibilities social media offers. Chair Fukushima expressed his appreciation to Mr. Topenio and Ms. Emura for their great presentation. He noted that the Fire Department does not have a singular role, and has grown over the years involving many different aspects, and will continue to expand. The presentation clearly shows they Mr. Miranda moved to receive the Chief s are aware of these changes. monthly report and budget report. Ms. Huddy- Yamamoto seconded the motion. Motion carried 5:0. Executive Deputy Attorney Nicholas Courson read the Session Hawai'i Revised Statutes provision as detailed on the agenda to take the Commission into Executive Session for ES -018 for discussion on the extent of worker's compensation and litigation case information allowed to be presented to the Fire Commission for review. Mr. Miranda moved to enter into executive session. Mr. Jimenez seconded the motion. Motion carried 5:01 Announcements Chair Fukushima stated due to the lack of understanding as to why the Commission members have been asked to meet with Kauai Planning and Kauai Fire Commission Open Session August 4, 2014 Pate 6 Submitted by: Cherisse Zaima, Support Clerk () Approved as is. () Approved with amendments See minutes of Reviewed and Approved by: meeting. Jesse Fukushima, Chair Action Alliance consultant Diane Zachary on the Fire Department's Strategic Plan, he feels that discussion with Ms. Zachary should be placed on the next meeting's agenda to clarify her role and intent. Mr. Jimenez stated that he feels the Commission is an integral part of the Fire Department, and should provide input toward the Strategic Plan. He understands where Ms. Zachary is coming from in wanting to gather information. Ms. Agarwal asked if it would be easier if Ms. Zachary were to come to a Commission meeting and get input from everyone. Mr. Jimenez noted it would have to be in executive session. Staff informed the Commission that an executive session was not an option because upon previous discussion with the Deputy County Attorney, it was determined that the discussion did not meet the executive session criteria. Staff announced a correction to the upcoming meeting date listed on the agenda. Due to the Labor Day Holiday, the next Fire Commission meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 2, 2014 — 2:00 p.m., Mo`ikeha Building, Meeting Room 2A /B. Adjournment Chair Fukushima adjourned the meeting at 4:04 p.m. Submitted by: Cherisse Zaima, Support Clerk () Approved as is. () Approved with amendments See minutes of Reviewed and Approved by: meeting. Jesse Fukushima, Chair