Company Offficers Meeting HFD Volunteer Company Officers Meeting USE OF VOLUNTEER COMPANY VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT How to apply new window stickers CONTACT WITH COUNCIL Hat with Patch for sell Driver Training Reports “NO SHOW” APPOINTMENT FEE FOR DR. ALAN DE SILVA
Name Plates
Chiefs meeting at Pahala 4/21/07
The next Volunteer Officers meeting will be on April 10th in Hawaiian Acres. The location has not been determined yet. 5-B will be the host company
Volunteer Company Officer’s Meeting
January 30, 2010
Volunteer Captain Mack Goddard & Combination Station 20 Personnel Hosting
Meeting opened at 10:10 am with introductions.
Fire 1 opened the meeting by saying that he had asked many East and West side BC’s to attend with the aim of fostering a better working relationship among volunteers and career personnel.
Fire 1 then talked about the recent forest fires and how a career officer had ‘commandeered’ a volunteer vehicle without contacting the volunteer company officer and without having adequate knowledge to run the vehicle safely. Fire 1 said that everyone present should have received a letter from him on new protocol that would prevent this from occurring in the future. Fire 1 stressed that he wants everyone to work at building better relationships since we all have the same objectives and are all one team.
Tom Brandt asked Fire 1 about the process for using/asking for whatever engine or equipment needed. Fire 1 said that whatever equipment deemed to be needed would be called out by priority of type of incident. Fire 1 said that if volunteer equipment was required every attempt would be made to contact volunteers before a decision would be made to use the volunteer company’s equipment.
Fire 1 talked about larger incidents and possible extended hours for volunteer involvement and the importance of BC’s or Captain’s to let responding volunteers know what their projected role/time/involvement might be if possible. Tom Brandt said that it was really appreciated when the IC makes an effort to be clear on these points.
BC Lum said that what is usually needed/requested are the smaller off-road type vehicles as well as manpower. Manpower may be released but the engine required to stay.
Sheldon asked if out-of-district volunteers can volunteer when they hear that there is a big incident. Fire 1 said to call either Henry or Clyde, give them the info on how many personnel you have available and amount of time you are able to respond for. They will give you a ‘yea or nay’ according to their determination.
James Fritz said that there were problems at recent fires with communications. Fire 1 said that the West side BC’s are relatively new and that this was the type and size of incident that provides valuable experience and training to everyone. Fire 1 talked about the value of a daily IAP to determine who/what is needed and what resources are available. Fire 1 said that everyone on the fireground should know what their duties are and what resources are available. James Fritz said that after all their training he and his company were very dismayed to learn ( after asking why they weren’t being called out for fires ) that the BC didn’t know that they were on-line yet.
Ron Ebert said that there was confusion on recent fires on what roads to use and recommended using caution tape to mark roads as well as any hazards. Fire 1 recommended that every engine cab be equipped with pink & green surveyors tape to mark ‘stop’ or ‘go’ roads etc.. James said that 7B had put a red glow stick in the middle of ‘no go’ roads and a green glow stick on the ‘go’ roads. Fire 1 asked that local companies make sure that any incoming vehicles are informed where to go. Derek said that the glow sticks make it obvious where to make turns, especially if it’s too dark to notice tape. There was discussion of other items that might make life a bit easier on an extended operation; glow sticks, water, food, rain gear, towels, extra T-shirt and socks etc..
Tom Brandt asked Derek about the condition of his vehicles after the fires. Derek said that everything went well with the exception of a badly bent aluminum mud flap – which is now replaced with rubber.
Tom Brandt asked about H1N1 vaccine for volunteers. AC2 Ralph Yawata said that he recommended that everyone get vaccinated. He said that there are some possible side effects to take in to consideration. He said to call your training captain to coordinate time & place for your company. Ralph added that the shot is free outside the fire dept. if you have HMSA. Clyde said for any company interested to get back to him with a headcount and call him to schedule. Clyde also asked everyone to make sure to show up for physical appointments on time.
Tom Brandt asked Ron Sanford for a copy of the amended form for the Volunteer Fire Window Decal agreement of use that he had produced. Clyde asked Fire 1 to check it for approval of the new additions. Doug told everyone that they could go to the HVFCA.net website for instructions on applying the decals.
BC Marshall Luke talked about the recent forest fire and the good experience of working with the volunteers and their equipment. He said that normally everyone would meet at Station 6 and make plans before heading out together. Henry also thanked the volunteers for their help with the recent fires, he said that he & Clyde had made up a list of volunteer companies and their equipment for Dispatch. James asked if BC’s have volunteer officers cell phone numbers. Henry said that they do have that info. Mack and Rick said that the recent fires were very good learning/training experiences and that the morning briefings were very helpful to them to ‘see the whole picture’. Mack said that the National Park fire behavior info was very useful too. Mack added that if possible they would prefer being called out sooner than later – something that almost everyone present agreed that they would like to see too. Ron Ebert said that he would prefer getting called out immediately to a fire – getting there quick and maybe being able to stop something before it gets to be a bigger problem. Tony said that the reason they train and are in readiness is to quickly respond to community need and that waiting for Company 5 or 18 to get all the way over to where they are before a report and determination to call out the volunteers is made isn’t the best way to protect their community.
BC Arbles said that it is always on his mind that the volunteers are available if and when they are needed. He also said that he prefers teaming up volunteers with career FF’s. He said that he always wants to make sure any operation is safely run for everyone. BC Arbles also said that he has been working toward better accountability.
Clyde thanked Randy for all his help with getting a slab formed for the new Fern Acres Station on Lehua Street. Clyde said that he will get info out for a ‘Station-Raising’ if any volunteers can help when the time comes.
Fire 1 said that he is still actively working on sites for Pahala and Naalehu stations. Tom Brandt asked if there had been any progress on an 8A site. Fire 1 said that there was no news to report.
Tom Brandt said that he has had a lot of company officers say that they have trouble with members not returning to quarters after an incident and helping with clean-up and getting ready for the next incident. This is something that really contributes to burn-out of officers. Sheldon said that he has everyone call him & let him know if they responded, where they are and if they can come back to the station to help.
Tom Brandt said that HVFCA.net website yearly dues were due. Doug said that Fire1 said that he would take care of the bill. Tom also asked that everyone use the site and contribute to it whenever they have news or questions.
Tom Brandt asked Fire1 if he had any ‘tips’ for volunteers who might want to apply for recruit class. Fire 1 said that anyone applying should let trainers know that they are volunteers and what training and experience that they have. He said that if they feel that they have something to offer that they need to ‘promote’ themselves. Fire1 said that the Fire Science program has been a valuable source of possible volunteers and he encourages every graduating class to look into joining a volunteer company.
Annabelle said that community activities and events are great times to get kids interested in being future volunteers. She also asked Fire1 about the possibility of getting a Hyperbaric Chamber on the island. Fire 1 said that it would be a good idea and that he would talk more with her about the possibility.
Ron Sanford asked if HFD could help with actively recruiting for volunteers. Fire1 said that does recommend Fire Science graduates to the volunteer training and captains.
Ron Sanford also asked if all volunteers as well as career companies could get transfer station keys and Fire 1 said that he would work on getting them to anyone that has a need for them.
Ron Sanford asked Fire1 if there could be some sort of notification when repeaters are down. Fire 1 said that Dispatch will let you know if you need to change another PL or Channel.
Tom Brandt thanked Noni for her help with note taking at meetings, contacting volunteers and filling in for him on occasion at Commission meetings.
James Fritz asked Fire 1 about progress on the Makalei Station. Fire 1 said that he has really been pushing for progress and that things were going well
. Fire 1 talked about what a large incident can mean to HFD’s reserves, the high cost of having to pay outside contractors such as bulldozers, etc..
James Fritz said that it is critical for local BC’s and Captains to be aware of what their district volunteer’s capabilities & equipment are so they know what resources are ready to use. James also said that when there has been a helicopter in the air overseeing operations it seemed to make operations a lot more efficient.
Fire1 said that completion of the Fire Fighter 1 training program will make it much easier to identify which volunteer has graduated and which is in training and how to utilize them on scene.
Tom Brandt introduced Fire Commission member Kaloa Robinson and also thanked Commission Chairman Steven Bowles for being such a loyal attendee at volunteer meetings in the past. Commissioner Bowles said that he would like to see more communication between volunteers and their district commissioners. Fire 1 said that he would make sure that contact info for the Fire Commission would be put on the
HVFCA.net site soon. Fire1 said that everyone is welcome to call Laurie @932-2903 and she will get them in contact with their appropriate district commissioner.
Tom Brandt asked that those who can’t make it to Fire Commission meetings relay anything that they would like for him to report on or ask of the Commission he said that he is there to represent all volunteers. Steven Bowles said that the Commission members would welcome more volunteer participation at their meetings.
Tom Brandt talked about the interesting experience of attending the recent Fire Chief’s conference. He added that Ralph Yawata did a great job as Emcee.
Doug asked Fire 1 about the 14A Community Blessing for their new Tanker. Fire 1 said that it went very well.
Ron Sanford asked about using some sort of accountability system for responders. Aaron Arbles said that he is looking at using photo I.D.’s
Tom Brandt asked for a volunteer to host the next meeting. Derek said that he would host if he could reserve his community pavilion for April 24th ( or April 10th alt. ). Sheldon said that he would host if Derek couldn’t get the pavilion.
Meeting adjourned 11:35 am
January 13, 2010
CHIEF’S MEMORANDUM NO. 2010-003
TO : ALL PERSONNEL
FROM : DARRYL OLIVEIRA, FIRE CHIEF
SUBJECT: USE OF VOLUNTEER COMPANY VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT
The recent brush fire incidents in the Kona area have highlighted our challenges with initiating and maintaining effective operations in areas that have limited access and require the use of off road vehicles. Fortunately, we were able to receive the assistance of the National Park Service, State Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW), and our own Hawaii Fire Department Volunteer companies. Until such time that we can obtain more and better vehicles for such incidents, we will need to request assistance and utilize what resources can be provided.
With regards to our Volunteer companies, I would like to express my appreciation for the sacrifices and commitment made by all of our volunteers who respond to our call outs. Many of these individuals often leave their work sites or jobs to respond and work very hard and for long hours on incidents and then report back to their respective jobs with very little rest. All of this without any form of compensation whatsoever. The least that we can all do is express our gratitude for their help and respect them for their skills, knowledge, abilities, and commitment to serve the community. I will stress: We are one department and everyone, paid or volunteer, is on the same team!
With these recent incidents, Volunteer company resources were “commandeered” to support operations. Those resources were deployed without any notification to the volunteer company officer and were operated by individuals with little to no experience with these pieces of equipment. Needless to say, such actions could result in accidents, vehicle damage, and ineffective operations.
Therefore, effective immediately, the following policy shall be implemented to insure the proper use and deployment of Volunteer resources for all incidents:
In the event that specific resources are necessary and are assigned to a Volunteer company, that Volunteer company shall be dispatched (toned out/paged) to respond.
If dispatch does not receive a response or reply to the tone out/page, phone contact shall be attempted with the respective Volunteer company officer or the secondary point of contact/officer to confirm availability to respond.
If neither the tone out/page or phone contact is successful, the next available and appropriate Volunteer resource shall be dispatched.
Volunteer vehicles and resources should be operated by qualified and experienced members of the respective companies before considering assigning any other personnel (inclusive of paid fire fighters) to operate the vehicle.
Upon exhausting every reasonable attempt to contact the Volunteer company officer and the use of a particular resource is essential to the operations, approval and authorization to deploy such resources utilizing personnel not assigned to the Volunteer company shall be obtained from either the Emergency Operations Division Assistant Fire Chief or the Fire Chief.
All Battalion Commanders, Company Officers, and Unit Supervisors shall review this memorandum with all subordinates to insure acknowledgement and compliance.
Let’s all try a little harder to further build the positive relationship between our paid and Volunteer workforce, as we can be a great deal more effective and safe if we are all working together.
DARRYL OLIVEIRA
Fire Chief
Start by making sure that the glass is clean. Use Windex or something like it works. Remove the backing paper, then just place the sticker on the window. On the inside of the window of course. You can use your finger nail or something to push the air bubbles out. Wayne from 17-A suggested to put a little soapy water on the window it makes it easier to get the bubbles out. Good luck and happy sticker sticking.
Doug
TO : ALL PERSONNEL
FROM : DARRYL OLIVEIRA, FIRE CHIEF
SUBJECT : CONTACT WITH COUNCIL MEMBERS
We have received a directive from Mayor William Kenoi on his policy whenever any employee is contacted by a Council Member. Effective immediately, all members shall comply with the following protocol:
The Fire Chief shall be the single source of information dissemination to Council Members and/or their staff. This will ensure there is no duplication in effort in the event Council Members or their staff contact department or agency personnel.
All requests for information from Council Members shall be directed to the Fire Chief.
The Fire Chief shall be informed of all requests for meetings with Council members before any meetings with Council Members take place. This is to prevent miscommunication with respect to the policy or direction of our administration on the many different issues our County confronts on a daily basis.
Mayor Kenoi states that the reason this protocol is important is for our administration to avoid some of the miscommunication that has occurred in the past with other councils and mayors.
Your strict compliance with this policy shall be expected.
DARRYL OLIVEIRA
Fire Chief
Here is the information on purchasing hats with our new Vol. patch.
Contact Janelle at 938-5265 or her e-mail address is secrethawaii@hotmail.com. She embroiders a 3" patch on the front and can put your Vol. Company name on the back. The hat are good quality.
Aloha,
Just a reminder, please turn in your driver training reports for this period July to Sept. 2008.
The training bureau needs these records to satisfy vehicle training hours, which is 2hrs a month or 6hrs. a quarter. After one year w/o driver training hours your DCC (Driver Competency Card) is decertified.
Thanks,
Clyde
October 16, 2009
CHIEF’S MEMORANDUM NO. 2009-074
TO: ALL PERSONNEL
FROM: DARRYL OLIVEIRA, FIRE CHIEF
SUBJECT: “NO SHOW” APPOINTMENT FEE FOR DR. ALAN DE SILVA
We have been notified by Dr. deSilva’s office that, effective immediately, a $10.00 fee is being charged to County of Hawai’i employees who fail to show up for their scheduled appointments. The County employee is responsible for paying the “no-show” fee, not the County of Hawaii. The reason for imposing this fee is because there have been too many “no-shows” for scheduled appointments.
Employees who are unable to keep their scheduled appointment should contact Dr. deSilva’s office in advance to cancel or reschedule the previously scheduled appointment.
All monies collected will be donated to the Hawaii Island Food Bank with the contributor’s name.
All Battalion and Bureau Commanders, Company Officers, and Unit Supervisors shall review this memorandum and procedure with their subordinates and ensure their compliance.
Please call Ms. Ann Ignacio, Human Resources Specialist, if you have any questions.
DARRYL OLIVEIRA
Fire Chief
The name tag are around $9.00 per plate. I Had our companies made with the brushed stainless steel finish. They come with magnetic backing plates.We used our company number (18-A) on the left side with first initial and last name(D. Keown), under that we put the persons rank(Vol. Captain, Vol F.E.O., Vol. Firefighter). He also has some fire emblems you can use instead of your company number.
Mark Stebbins is the owner name.
982-9987
http://www.stebbinsstudios.com
Make your
own website