HONOLULU FIRE COMMISSION C I T Y A N

Minutes of Regular Public Meeting

Honolulu Fire Department Headquarters

Honolulu Fire Department Auditorium

Wednesday, October 21, 2020

CALL TO ORDER: Chair Nagamine called the regular meeting to order at 10:08 a.m.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Craig Nagamine, Charlotte Nekota, William Hong, Dennis Morton, Stefanie Sakamoto and Nicholas Teves.

MEMBER EXCUSED: Max Hannemann.

IN ATTENDANCE: Fire Chief Manuel Neves (HFD), Assistant Fire Chief Ron Rico (HFD), Assistant Fire Chief Scott Lawton (HFD), Assistant Fire Chief Jason Samala (HFD), Assistant Fire Chief Socrates Bratakos (HFD), Fire Fighter III Darryl Mau (HFD), Brian Ancheta (Corporation Counsel), and Nadine Murata.

II. SELECTION OF VICE-CHAIR. The members of the Commission shall “elect annually a Vice-Chair to serve for the ensuing year, or until a successor shall be elected” [Rules of the Honolulu Fire Commission, Rule 3.3]. Commissioner Morton nominated current Vice-Chair Nekota, and Commissioner Teves seconded, Chair Nagamine asked if there were any other nominations, there were none. By unanimous vote of the Commission, Vice-Chair Nekota was re-elected Vice-Chair.

Chair Nagamine noted that this was “redo” of the Vice-Chair election done at the Commission’s September 2020 meeting, in order to fully comply with the Sunshine Law requirements.

III. PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON ALL AGENDA ITEMS. Chair Nagamine asked if there was anyone from the public who wished to give public testimony. There was none.

IV. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2020. Chair Nagamine called for any comments or corrections to the minutes of the regular public meeting of September 30, 2020. Vice-Chair Nekota moved and Commissioner Morton seconded. There being no further comments or corrections and with a unanimous vote in favor, the Commission approved the minutes.

V. APPROVAL OF THE EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2020. Chair Nagamine called for any comments or corrections to the minutes of the executive session meeting of September 30, 2020. Vice-Chair Nekota moved and Commissioner Teves seconded. There being no further comments or corrections and with a unanimous vote in favor, the Commission approved the executive session minutes.

VI. REPORT OF THE FIRE CHIEF. Fire Chief Neves passed out copies of his September 2020 monthly report and highlighted the following:

A. Major Incidents.

1. Fires. Fire Chief Neves went over major incidents with the Commission and highlighted a few. Details can be found in the monthly report.

Fire Chief Neves mentioned that on September 24, 2020, HFD responded to a wildland fire in Kaimuki with 18 units staffed 58 personnel. Helicopters from HFD and the Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) were also assigned to this incident. The fire threatened residential buildings, powerlines and equipment. The Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) shut off power and the public was informed to be prepared for a possibility of extended power outages. The fire was contained and a fire watch was performed overnight.

Fire Chief Neves mentioned that on September 25, 2020, HFD returned to the site of the wildland fire and HFD personnel continued fire fighting ground operations along with aerial water drops from Air 1 and a helicopter from the DOFAW. Operations continued until sunset with the possibility of overnight fire watch.

2. Hazardous Conditions. Fire Chief Neves went over major incidents with the Commission. Details can be found in the monthly report.

The HFD responded to the following 20 weather-related emergencies during September:

0 Blown roofs

3 Downed power lines

5 Water evacuations

5 Arcing wire call

7 Downed trees

B. Equipment Status.

Six frontline apparatuses were out of service. Fire Chief Neves mentioned that back up is

ready should there be a need.

C. Vacancies.

Fire Chief Neves went over vacancies with the Commission.

Fire Chief Neves mentioned that there are 22 fire recruits in training in the 108^th class and they will be graduating this December.

Fire Chief Neves mentioned that this past Monday the department started its 109^th class with 22 recruits.

Fire Chief Neves mentioned currently there are 49 positions that are vacant with no names next to them.

Fire Chief Neves mentioned the 110^th class will start up sometime next year of February/March 2021.

D. Injuries- Report of Industrial Injury or Illness (ISWC). Fire Chief Neves briefly went over injuries with the Commission. Details can be found in the monthly report.

Fire Chief Neves mentioned that there are no positive cases of COVID-19 and 1 fire fighter quarantined due to exposure to a family member who tested positive.

Fire Chief Neves commended the fire fighters on taking care of themselves and practicing proper protocols.

E. Exposure Reports. Fire Chief Neves went over exposure reports with the Commission. Details can be found in the monthly report.

Fire Chief Neves mentioned that there were no actual injury or illness but there were some who wanted to submit precautionary documentation regarding possible exposure to COVID-19, asbestos, comm. disease and hazmat.

F. Grievances. Fire Chief Neves went over grievances with the Commission. Details can be found in the monthly report.

Fire Chief also reported on the following:

1. During the month of October, HFD received 6 notes/letters of gratitude and 4 complaints. Details are in the monthly report. Commissioner Hong said HFD did a good job handling the complaints.

Fire Chief Neves had each member of the executive staff give a brief description of

their sections’ recent activities.

Assistant Fire Chief Scott Lawton- Administrative Services. Chief Lawton went over the Fire Fighter Recruit Candidate process with the Commission.

Chief Lawton mentioned that the application starts at the City’s Department of Human Resources (DHR) and interested Fire Fighter Recruit I (FFRI) prospects apply online over a one-day submittal period. There are over 5000 total FFRI applicants despite the short period. The FFRII application process, on the other hand, will be year-round.

Chief Lawton mentioned for FFRI’s there’s a written test and FFRII’s do not have a written test.

Chief Lawton mentioned when written exams are passed, HFD will ask DHR for names for its physical ability test (PAT).

Chief Lawton mentioned when PAT is passed, interviews are given and the panel is made up of Chiefs or Captains who are current or past recruit training officers.

Chief Lawton mentioned once the interview is passed, suitability checks are performed: fingerprinting is conducted, and DHR follows up with the National Criminal History. A driver’s test is also administered.

Chief Lawton mentioned medical and drug screening is conducted, including a double check for tuberculosis (TB), and all candidates are communicated with via email. Driver’s license and vaccination history are also required.

Commissioner Morton asked if DHR holds up or pushes through possible candidates.

Chief Lawton answered that the candidate selection process is left to DHR. HFD has deadlines and just needs names quickly.

Fire Chief Neves commented that the written test enables DHR to rank applicants quickly, and those given interviews are re-ranked based on interview performance.

Chief Lawton added that in one instance, DHR was unable to handle all the required fingerprinting, and HPD stepped in and did it.

Assistant Fire Chief Jason Samala- Support Service. Chief Samala updated the Commission on the department’s ongoing recruit class.

Chief Samala mentioned the department recently had a PAT in October and it includes a 100 meter swim and a 13-foot dive. Once candidates pass the swim then they go onto the land portion which includes pulling hose, dragging trashcans, raising the ladder within a time frame.

Chief Samala mentioned the recent PAT consisted of both Fire Fighter Recruit I’s and II’s.

Chief Samala mentioned 150 Fire Fighter Recruit I’s were referred by DHR, 75 had accepted to participate in the PAT, 56 showed up and 52 who actually passed the exam.

Chief Samala mentioned 63 Fire Fighter Recruit II’s were referred by DHR, 42 had accepted to participate in the PAT, 28 showed up and 26 passed.

Chief Samala mentioned based on these numbers a Fire Fighter Recruit II class will start up in February 2021, and Fire Fighter Recruit I will commence in June/July 2021.

Fire Chief Neves went over the land portion training with the Commission.

Fire Chief Neves mentioned that over time the department adopted a Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) and it requires orientation in the process.

Fire Chief Neves mentioned that the department hired a consultant and they came up with a customized test for HFD which is currently used by the department.

Chief Lawton mentioned the HFD website has video’s of the PAT if anyone is interested to see how the PAT is conducted.

Assistant Fire Chief Socrates Bratakos- Planning and Development. Chief Bratakos went over Fire Prevention Week and Public Education Efforts with the Commission.

Chief Bratakos mentioned family day and school visitations were cancelled this year due to COVID-19.

Chief Bratakos mentioned that proclamations were signed and 100,000 fire safety guides for Grades K-6 were distributed to schools during Fire Prevention Week.

Chief Bratakos mentioned that the department reached out to the public with radio and TV announcements and social media posts (Facebook, Instagram) regarding Fire Prevention Week, and Carole Kai provided assistance.

Chief Bratakos mentioned that the department’s Community Relations Office recently moved into its Young Street office where they will be expanding their video conferences.

Vice-Chair Nekota asked what the best smoke detectors are.

Fire Fighter III Mau answered the department cannot make any recommendations, but the American Red Cross and HFD have been installing are Kidde smoke alarms with lithium batteries.

Fire Fighter III Mau mentioned it’s ideal to replace smoke alarms every 10 years.

Chair Nagamine asked if there were any questions. There were none.

VII. ANNOUNCEMENT: The next Commission meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 18, 2020 at 10 a.m. in the Honolulu Fire Department Auditorium.

VIII. ADJOURNMENT: There being no other business, Vice-Chair Nekota moved and Commissioner Morton seconded that the meeting be adjourned. By unanimous vote, the meeting was adjourned at 10:35 a.m.

Respectfully submitted by: Nadine Murata, Secretary.

APPROVED:

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CRAIG NAGAMINE, Chair