HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Fire Commission InterviewsSpecial Meeting
Agenda Item No: SM 1.a
Meeting Date: October 16, 2023
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Department: City Clerk
Prepared by: Lindsay Lara, City Clerk City Manager Approval: ___________
TOPIC: FIRE COMMISSION INTERVIEWS
SUBJECT: INTERVIEW APPLICANTS AND MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO FILL
ONE UNEXPIRED FOUR-YEAR TERM TO THE END OF OCTOBER 2025
ON THE FIRE COMMISSION DUE TO THE RESIGNATION OF NADINE
ATIEH HADE
RECOMMENDATION:
Interview the following applicants and make an appointment to fill one unexpired four-
year term to the end of October 2025 on the Fire Commission due to the resignation of
Nadine Atieh Hade.
Name
Brian Waterbury
Donna McCusker
Gerrod Herndon
John Chung
BACKGROUND:
The term of Nadine Atieh Hade was set to expire at the end of October 2025; however,
she relocated outside of city limits and was no longer eligible to serve on the Fire
Commission. The City Clerk’s office recruited for applications and received five
applications.
The Fire Commission contributes their experience and expertise to support the goals of
the San Rafael Fire Department. In concert with the Fire Chief, the five members and two
alternates collaborate on department-related initiatives, supporting the San Rafael Fire
Foundation. Commissioners have also participated in public education and outreach
activities, supported emergency preparedness efforts, and documented the Department's
____________________________________________________________________________________
FOR CITY CLERK ONLY
Council Meeting: October 16, 2023
Disposition: Appointed Donna McCusker to fill one unexpired four-year term to the end of October
2025 on the Fire Commission, and Council recommended Staff return to a future City Council
meeting to recommend appointment of John Chung as first Alternate Member and Brian
Waterbury as second Alternate Member on the Fire Commission
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 2
history. The activities of the Commission are varied based on the unique skills and
perspectives of the individual members. Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of
each month at 4:00 p.m. at the San Rafael Public Safety Center.
1375 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael, California 94901.
ANALYSIS:
The City Clerk’s office recruited for the Fire Commission vacancy and received five (5)
applications; however, one applicant withdrew. Staff recommends the City Council
interview the four (4) eligible applicants and make an appointment to fill the single
unexpired term.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact associated with this item.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH:
The call for applications for the Fire Commission was advertised through mass email
notification, the City website, social media platforms, Marin IJ, and physically posted at
City facilities.
ATTACHMENT:
1. Four (4) Applications
2. Bylaws
Boards, Commissions & Committees Application
1 / 3
Q1
Contact Information / Información del contacto
First and Last Name / Nombre y Apellido Brian J Waterbury
Address / Dirección
City / Ciudad San Rafael
State / estado CA.
ZIP/Postal Code / Código postal 94901
Email Address / Dirección de correo electrónico
Phone Number / Número de teléfono
Q2
What district do you currently live in?¿En qué distrito vive
actualmente?
District 1/Southern / Distrito 1/Sur
Q3
How long have you lived in San Rafael?
Since 1961
Q4
Business Information
Company Retired
Q5
How did you hear about this vacant position?
Other (please specify):
Deputy Fire Chief Robert Sennott
#40
INCOMPLETE
Collector: Web Link 1 (Web Link)
Started: Monday, September 18, 2023 12:21:48 PM
Last Modified: Monday, September 18, 2023 12:37:35 PM
Time Spent: 00:15:46
IP Address: 73.92.206.164
Page 1
Boards, Commissions & Committees Application
2 / 3
Q6
What Board would you like to apply to?¿A cuál te gustaría
aplicar?
Fire Commission
Q10
Do you participate in any civic activities? If so, what are they?
Rotary Club of Terra Linda. San Rafael Elks Lodge 1108.
Q11
List any civic organizations of which you are a member:
Rotary Club of Terra Linda. San Rafael Elks Lodge 1108.
Q12
Education:
BPA. Bachelors in public administration from University of San Francisco.
Q13
Why are you interested in serving on a board or commission?
My whole life has been devoted to community service, YMCA, Boy Scouts, Terra Linda Volunteer Fire Department, U.S. Navy, City of
San Rafael Fire Department, Program manager Marin Medical Reserve Corps. I have the skills and experience to enhance the
effectiveness of the Fire Commission.
Q14
Describe possible areas in which you may have a conflict of interest with the City:
Workers Comp claim adjusted.
Q15
Upload your resume.
SRFD%20Fire%20Commission.pdf (95.2KB)
Page 3
Page 5: Demographics / Datos demográficos
3 / 3
BRIAN J. WATERBURY
Applicant
City of San Rafael Fire Commission
Brian Waterbury has more than 39 years of Fire Service experience and retired in 2005
Division Chief from the City of San Rafael Fire Department in the San Francisco Bay
Area.
Chief Waterbury’s many administrative responsibilities included long range planning,
budgeting, training, human resources, community relations, development and
implementing policy and disaster preparedness.
Chief Waterbury is currently a member of the San Rafael Elks Lodge and Past
President of the Rotary Club of Terra Linda, The American Legion and Veterans of
Foreign Wars.
Brian firmly believes that the “Power of Disaster Preparedness and response lies not
with Local, State or Federal Governments, but with the Community.”
Brian has a bachelor’s degree in public administration from the University of San
Francisco and has extensive coursework at the California State Training Institute and
FEMA’s Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP).
Boards, Commissions & Committees Application
1 / 3
Q1
Contact Information / Información del contacto
First and Last Name / Nombre y Apellido Donna McCusker
Address / Dirección
City / Ciudad San Rafael
State / estado CA
ZIP/Postal Code / Código postal 94903
Email Address / Dirección de correo electrónico
Phone Number / Número de teléfono
Q2
What district do you currently live in?¿En qué distrito vive
actualmente?
District 4/Northern / Distrito 4/Norte
Q3
How long have you lived in San Rafael?
since 1955
Q4
Business Information
Company Morgan Stanley
Address 2365 Iron Point Rd Ste 235
City/Town Folsom
ZIP/Postal Code 95630
#29
COMPLETE
Collector: Web Link 1 (Web Link)
Started: Tuesday, September 12, 2023 1:29:57 PM
Last Modified: Tuesday, September 12, 2023 1:58:22 PM
Time Spent: 00:28:25
IP Address: 73.222.125.27
Page 1
Boards, Commissions & Committees Application
2 / 3
Q5
How did you hear about this vacant position?
Other (please specify):
Currently serving as an Alternate
Q6
What Board would you like to apply to?¿A cuál te gustaría
aplicar?
Fire Commission
Q10
Do you participate in any civic activities? If so, what are they?
San Rafael Fire Foundation/volunteer
Marin Needle Arts Guild/teacher
Little Wishes/make quilts for children in hospitals
Q11
List any civic organizations of which you are a member:
San Rafael Fire Foundation Volunteer/liaison w FireCommission
Marin Needle Arts Guild
Q12
Education:
San Jose State University BA
San Jose State University Lifetime Teaching Credential
Stanislaus State University MBA/partial
Q13
Why are you interested in serving on a board or commission?
To serve our firefighters! To promote & enhance our San Rafael Fire Department to our community.
Q14
Describe possible areas in which you may have a conflict of interest with the City:
-0-
Q15
Upload your resume.
Respondent skipped this question
Page 3
Boards, Commissions & Committees Application
3 / 3
Page 5: Demographics / Datos demográficos
Boards, Commissions & Committees Application
1 / 3
Q1
Contact Information / Información del contacto
First and Last Name / Nombre y Apellido John Chung
Address / Dirección
City / Ciudad San Rafael
State / estado CA
ZIP/Postal Code / Código postal 94901
Email Address / Dirección de correo electrónico
Phone Number / Número de teléfono
Q2
What district do you currently live in?¿En qué distrito vive
actualmente?
District 3/Eastern / Distrito 3/Este
Q3
How long have you lived in San Rafael?
26 years
Q4
Business Information
Company San Francsisco Fire Department (retired)
Address 698 Second Street
City/Town San Francisco
ZIP/Postal Code 94107
#39
COMPLETE
Collector: Web Link 1 (Web Link)
Started: Wednesday, September 13, 2023 11:37:21 AM
Last Modified: Wednesday, September 20, 2023 10:08:59 PM
Time Spent: Over a day
IP Address: 73.71.105.24
Page 1
Boards, Commissions & Committees Application
2 / 3
Q5
How did you hear about this vacant position?
Friend
Q6
What Board would you like to apply to?¿A cuál te gustaría
aplicar?
Fire Commission
Q10
Do you participate in any civic activities? If so, what are they?
Golf Coach - San Rafael High School (girls and boys team)
Q11
List any civic organizations of which you are a member:
San Rafael High Athletic Boosters
Q12
Education:
BA Criminal Justice - San Francisco State University
Masters of Business Administration - San Francisco State University
Q13
Why are you interested in serving on a board or commission?
I have fire service experience and would like to serve the community in which i live
Q14
Describe possible areas in which you may have a conflict of interest with the City:
none
Q15
Upload your resume.
John%20Chung.pdf (35.8KB)
Page 3
Page 5: Demographics / Datos demográficos
3 / 3
John Chung
San Rafael, CA 94901
Work History
1/2021 to 6/2021 Training Officer – San Francisco Fire Department
Train and test new recruit class to all aspects of firefighting. Includes hose
leads, raising ladders, EMS, pump operations, equipment, and rescue
10/2008 to 10/2009 & 1/2011 to 1/2021- Lieutenant – Fire Suppression – San
Francisco Fire Department
Company to officer on Engine and Truck companies. Respond to fires and
other emergencies as dispatched. Train probationary firefighters, conduct
inspections, conduct drills, and administrative duties.
10/2009 to 12/2010 – Captain – Bureau of Equipment – San Francisco Fire
Department
Manage SFFD fleet and all equipment that goes on each apparatus. Write
specifications for new apparatus, test new equipment, and purchasing.
Supervise crew of fire apparatus mechanics.
10/1991 – 10/2008 - Firefighter – San Francisco Fire Department
Various roles, working 24 hour watches, such as EMT, apparatus operator,
firefighter. Respond to calls as dispatched, under the supervision of a
company officer.
Related experience:
Instructor – City College of San Francisco; Fire Academy and Fire Science (2008 –
present)
State Fire Training Certification in Driver 1A (apparatus operation) and Driver 1B
(pump operations)
Subject Matter Expert – Engine operations specializing in pump operations.
Fire Commission Bylaws
Page 1 of 2
FIRE COMMISSION BYLAWS
ARTICLE I. NAME AND PURPOSE
Section 1.1. Name. The name of this body shall be the City of San Rafael Fire
Commission, hereinafter referred to as the “Commission.”
Section 1.2. Purpose. The purpose of the Fire Commission is to advise and support
the goals and objectives of the San Rafael Fire Department as articulated by the Fire
Chief.
Section 1.3. Commission Responsibility. The Commission’s authority is advisory
only. The Fire Commission has no power to act on behalf of the City of San Rafael or
any other entity.
Subject to the direction and control of the city council, as provided in Section 2.04.030 of
the San Rafael Municipal Code, the powers and duties of the Fire Commission shall be:
1. To review and recommend concerning the future needs of the fire department in
respect to long-range capital needs, including buildings, training facilities, and
water mains and hydrant replacements;
2. To review the relationship of the fire department with other governmental agencies
and private entities concerning topics which the commission feels present a true
and pressing need for the city's fire service, i.e., mutual aid and the fire rating
system of the Independent Insurance Office;
3. To recommend to the fire chief and the city council action concerning initial
adoption and future amendments to the fire prevention code, the building code,
and other such ordinances which pertain to the prevention of fires within the
community;
4. To receive monthly reports from the department head concerning the general
operations and functions of the department;
5. To perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the city council.
ARTICLE II. MEMBERSHIP
Section 2.1. Number of Members. The Commission shall consist of five (5) members,
one of which may be a Councilmember. The City Council has the authority to appoint
alternates as needed. The Chief of the fire department shall be an ex officio member of
the Commission but shall not be entitled to vote as a member of the Commission.
Section 2.2. Eligibility. Commissioners shall be residents of the city of San Rafael.
Fire Commission Bylaws
Page 2 of 2
Section 2.3. Appointment of Commissioners. Commissioners shall be appointed by
the City Council. Appointments shall be published on the website for the City of San
Rafael in accordance with Government Code Section 54973, as amended from time to
time.
Section 2.4. Terms of Appointment. Each Commissioner shall serve a term of four (4)
years. An effort will be made to ensure that the terms are staggered, and not all of the
appointments expire in the same year.
Section 2.5. Term Limits. Commissioners shall be limited to two (2) consecutive four-
year terms. Additional terms may be served if there is a break between terms.
Section 2.6. Absence and Removal. An unexcused absence from two (2) consecutive
Commission meetings without notification to the Staff Liaison shall be considered a
voluntary resignation from the Commission. Previously dismissed Commissioners may
be eligible for reappointment to the Commission. Commissioners shall be subject to
removal by the affirmative vote of three members of the city council.
Section 2.7. Compensation. Commissioners serve without compensation.
ARTICLE III. MEETINGS
Section 3.1. Time and date of Regular Meeting. Notification of meeting place, date,
and time shall be rendered to the public through posting on the City of San Rafael website.
The Commission shall meet once per month, unless there is no business to conduct, and
shall be scheduled annually. The schedule for the upcoming year will be set by December
of the previous year.