LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i County Fire Commission voted Tuesday to delay the 2012 budget approval process to allow more time to consider an updated Kaua‘i Fire Department strategic plan with new goals. The Kaua‘i County Fire Commission at its meeting
LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i County Fire Commission voted Tuesday to delay the 2012 budget approval process to allow more time to consider an updated Kaua‘i Fire Department strategic plan with new goals.
The Kaua‘i County Fire Commission at its meeting Tuesday passed Chairwoman Linda Kaauwai-Iwamoto’s motion to defer acceptance of the 2012 budget. The move allows Fire Chief Robert Westerman a chance to discuss the budget and goals with Kaua‘i Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho, Jr.
In Westerman’s report, he said the new fire code is now in effect after finalizing efforts last month with the county.
The new KFD goals include better response times, more firefighters per engine and company, and sending a minimum of two firefighters to the National Fire Academy each year.
Another goal is the transition to all-digital computer-aided dispatch software in 18 months. Westerman said the upgrade bridging the analog system to digital is already in place and on target for the total transfer, in line with county communications.
Related software for the system would assist units en route and also with collecting data according to national standards to maintain a statistical database.
The fire department also plans to complete restructuring of the Ocean Safety Bureau.
Westerman addressed the higher amount of overtime than normal for the year by presenting ideas to make up the costs from slowdowns and from other areas of the budget.
Westerman said his department is currently investigating fires that occurred at two cabins in Koke‘e, and two structure fires in Kapa‘a.
Complaints last month included overgrown vegetation on a vacant lot in the Wailua homesteads. KFD also verified that a 15-foot firebreak had not been completed in the Wailua Houselots.
The fire department held community training events at Kaua‘i Community College with a safety presentation for the seeing impaired, and also hosted fire extinguishing training sessions at Westin Princeville Resort and the Makai Club in Princeville.
Some commissioners expressed concern with the level of maintenance issues on KFD vehicles, as stated in the report.
Westerman said the deficiencies are a concern, but that the vehicles are mission capable and not out of service. He said his department is working on an agreement to transfer a county mechanic from Public Works.
Westerman said at least one instance mentioned where the primary and secondary engines were both down in Kapa‘a was an unusual circumstance involving a speed censor part under warranty.
The part was replaced by a specialist from O‘ahu, he said, adding that the department had back-up the entire time.
Westerman explained that fire engines on Kaua‘i tend to have a life of 20 years. When a vehicle becomes 14 years old, it is placed into secondary status for the remainder of its service. At that time, work is started to replace the vehicle in six years to help minimize the cost.
