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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSPJT Minutes 1996-11-13SRCC/FD MINUTES (Annual Meeting) 11/13/96 Page 1 AT FIRE STATION #1, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1996, AT 7:00 PM Special Annual Meeting: San Rafael City Council/ San Rafael Fire Commission Present: CITY COUNCIL Albert J. Boro, Mayor Barbara Heller, Councilmember Cyr N. Miller, Councilmember Gary O. Phillips, Councilmember Mary Ellen Irwin, Commissioner Absent: Paul Cohen, Councilmember Absent: None Present: SAN RAFAEL FIRE COMMISSION Charles I. Daniels, Jr., Chairman Dr. Steven Mizroch, Commissioner Kathleen Devlin, Commissioner Richard Heine, Commissioner Others Present: Robert E. Marcucci, Fire Chief James Lydon, Fire Association President ANNUAL MEETING - File 9-3-31 The Annual Joint Meeting of the San Rafael Fire Commission and the San Rafael City Council was called to order by Chairman Daniels at 7:06 PM. 1. Fire Commission Approval of Minutes from Their Meeting of September 18, 1996. The minutes of the September 18, 1996 meeting were approved as distributed. 2. Paramedic System Update Chairman Daniels expressed praise for the progressive management, as well as the fiscal responsibility of the Department. He indicated Chief Marcucci was not content with the status quo; he was always looking for ways to improve the quality of life in San Rafael. Chairman Daniels recognized Mary Ellen Irwin and Kathleen Devlin for their diligence and hard work in the area of vegetation management. He also recognized Richard Heine for his work in the Northern portion of San Rafael, and Dr. Steven Mizroch for his work at Kaiser Hospital. Chief Marcucci discussed the current Paramedic System. The second Paramedic unit has been put into service, and the third Paramedic unit cross -staffed with the Engine Company has been activated. The three units enable the Department to transport more patients, rather than having private sector ambulance transports. The Department has worked out a pilot program with Novato Fire District in which we provide back-up paramedic service when their units are committed, and vice versa. The departments working together keep funding for these ambulances within the public community, rather than in competition from the private sector. Chief Marcucci envisions a fourth Paramedic, also cross -staffed with an Engine Company, being activated in the future. The Paramedic unavailability rate with one unit was approximately 15%. With the additional units, as well as back up from Novato, the unavailability rate is almost zero. AMR is used when our units are all committed at an emergency call. A question arose regarding the third party billing rates. The rates are evaluated annually by analyzing the current market and the CPI. It was noted this needs to be watched carefully, in lieu of Proposition 218. Currently we have four firefighters in training as Paramedics, and the Fire Department is paying their tuition. Of the original six Paramedics hired, five are still working for the Department. Chairman Daniels pointed out to the Council that the activities of the Fire Department are primarily medical in nature. The Care Taker program is in place. The Program is used for patients that have made repetitive calls for service, or need assistance not now provided by the Fire Department. The Marin Senior Coordinating Council is used to provide the nexus between community and Fire Service. Councilmember Phillips inquired about the minutes of the last meeting of the Fire Commission where it was stated that in the ISO rating we were penalized for more medical than fire calls. Chief Marcucci explained the ISO is primarily a rating for insurance companies in determining insurance premiums, and medical emergencies are not considered in the established fire protection rating. 3. Fire Station 6 Discussion ensued regarding the new Fire Station 6. The community is very impressed SRCC/FD MINUTES (Annual Meeting) 11/13/96 Page 1 SRCC/FD MINUTES (Annual Meeting) 11/13/96 Page 2 by Station 6. The Station is working out well, and space was utilized well. The Paramedics are in a separate dormitory from the Firefighters, thus less disruption during nighttime calls for medical service. There are separate facilities available for women. 4. Disaster Preparedness In January the Firefighters will begin training neighborhood groups. The training (originally called NERT) has been revised to meet our community needs, and has been named DART. Three or four programs a year (over a six week span of two hour sessions) will be held. We anticipate 35 people attending per session. The Department is working with the Federation of Homeowners to arrange group coordination. Councilmember Heller asked Chief Marcucci about staffing during disasters. Fire Department employees having secured his/her own residence and family, are asked to return to San Rafael. Each employee has a pass that will allow them access if roads are closed to through traffic. The first 72 hours following a disaster are the most critical. It was suggested that we make available to citizens booklets with self instruction (or make training available) about securing your residence and having the appropriate supplies available in a kit. Chief Marcucci indicated that Commissioner Kathy Devlin was working on a booklet for residents (similar to Corte Madera and Mill Valley). Approximate cost is $.86 per book for 25,000 copies. Distribution could be through fire stations and neighborhood meetings. Also, sample kits could also be available. A video is being modified on how to prepare for an emergency. A suggestion was made that perhaps the Rotary Clubs, Lions, Kiwanis , etc. would be willing to sponsor such a project. Mayor Boro indicated that starting in January a City-wide newsletter would be distributed. This will be a great help in disbursing information such as disaster preparedness. The newsletter will be translated into Spanish and Vietnamese. Additionally, a modified version will be made available for tenants. Mayor Boro commented on how Chief Marcucci and Chief Hewitt brought great credibility to the Marin County Fire Flow project. 5. Fire Station 2 (Third & Union) Station 2 (Third & Union) was the next topic of discussion. The Station was built in 1958. This is an excellent location and an excellent resource for the community. However, the station should be enlarged to accommodate a Paramedic Unit. The response time for the Paramedics would drop by 1-2 minutes if housed at Station 2. The Council should look at enlarging or rebuilding the present Station. Councilmember Miller visited the site prior to the meeting and suggested moving the training facility into the corporation yard site. The Department could then utilize the entire site. He indicated the living areas of the station are inadequate, as well as being too small. It was also suggested that a budget account for funding be established. 6. Customer Service Customer Service is a focus of the Department. Survey forms were developed for Engine Company Inspections, Emergency Service, and the Fire Prevention Bureau. The objective for the Department is an overall satisfaction rating of 95%. The surveys are mailed every two weeks. A firm in Half Moon Bay assisted in developing the form, and is receiving the completed surveys for analysis. They will then provide data to the Department. The Fire Department is trying to be a more caring organization. We need to hear from customers so we can determine what we can provide them, rather than provide what we think they need. A new survey form will be used for Public Education Programs. The Public Education form will be mailed back to the Department for review. 7. Fire Department Administrative Staffing Chief Marcucci discussed Administrative Staffing. The Hughes-Heiss report indicated that the Department's staffing structure is flat. The average employee to manager ratio for departments of similar size is 10 to 1; however, our Department is 14. The Department needs more staffing to support Firefighters, especially in areas of vegetation management, disaster SRCC/FD MINUTES (Annual Meeting) 11/13/96 Page 2 SRCC/FD MINUTES (Annual Meeting) 11/13/96 Page 3 preparedness, and to increase productivity. An Administrative Assistant position would be ideal for managing those programs and other duties. It could be a civilian position. We keep taking on more responsibility, but administering is becoming difficult - we "need to prime the pump". Councilmember Phillips suggested discussion with the City Manager while preparing the budget. The EMS Administrative Assistant is working very well, providing for the necessary changes and additions for our EMS Program. Disaster Preparedness was again discussed. The program is going to mushroom, and how is the Department going to meet the demand? A suggestion was made to charge a minimal amount for the printing of materials. Commissioner Devlin suggested that we need to prepare businesses for emergencies when families are scattered. The community has many needs - must have human resources to keep programs going. Commissioner Irwin stated, "Prevention is the key, saves money". Chairman Daniels thanked the Council for their hard work. Commissioner Irwin indicated there will be a Measure L meeting December 10th, at which time the Parcel Fee will be passed. There may be arguments against the Measure. The San Rafael voters showed strong support for the Measure, 2 to 1 for Measure L. Councilmember Phillips inquired about comments in the last Commission meeting minutes regarding Dominican's involvement with development of the Department's Strategic and Business Plan. Dominican's cost was going to be $30,000. The Department will still try to develop the plan on its own sometime during the next fiscal year. Discussion followed regarding what we are doing to bring more women into the Department. Chief Marcucci indicated we have modified the physical agility test. However, the 24 college units and EMT requirements are stiff. Larger departments have more advancement opportunities. Medical calls could use a "woman's touch". The Commission suggested we look at ways of doing our own recruitment. Discussion followed on the physical agility test, and there was a question of whether women were accepted within the Department. We have had women interns, and they were accepted just as the others. Suggestions made were: 1) promote through the schools, 2) look at medic units not having to take physical agility. Councilmember Heller suggested there might be a feeling of not being wanted. The biggest problem with Police and Fire is there are few jobs. Perhaps a regional list would be advantageous for recruitment purposes. Councilmember Miller inquired if we have any Spanish speaking Firefighters. The Department provided courses in emergency Spanish several years ago. Perhaps we should look at a refresher course. He also inquired if there were any thoughts on how we could integrate fire staff within Pickleweed. Currently, only public education materials are available at Pickleweed and surrounding schools. Through meetings with the community there has been little comment about the Fire Department. Chief Marcucci suggested perhaps teens from the area could possibly spend some time at Station 4. Commissioner Devlin mentioned a junior DART program might be a way of reaching some of the youth of that area. Councilmember Phillips wanted to know if there is any resistance on their part to call us? What perception do they have of the Fire Department? Many of the residents of the area have moved on, and a new group has come into the area, and seems to be accepting the Department. Chairman Daniels suggested taking an Engine Company to Councilmember Miller's meetings regarding the community. Councilmember Miller reported that the Hazardous Waste Program is working well in the Canal Area. He also suggested we develop a relationship with the neighborhood center; perhaps offering basic first aid training, or training youth in babysitting responsibilities. Chairman Daniels asked what the Council wants to see of the Fire Department that we can respond to. Meeting adjourned at 9:28 PM. JEANNE M. LEONCINI, City Clerk SRCC/FD MINUTES (Annual Meeting) 11/13/96 Page 3 SRCC/FD MINUTES (Annual Meeting) 11/13/96 Page 4 By. Sharron Stoelzl, Fire Dept. Secretary APPROVED THIS DAY OF 1996 MAYOR OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL SRCC/FD MINUTES (Annual Meeting) 11/13/96 Page 4