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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSPJT Minutes 1997-12-10SRCC/Fire Comm. MINUTES (Spec. Jt.) 12/10/97 Page 1 IN CONFERENCE ROOM 201, CITY HALL OF SAN RAFAEL, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1997 AT 7:30 PM Special Joint Meeting San Rafael City Council/ Fire Commission FIRE COMMISSION Charles I. Daniels, Jr., Chairman Steven Mizroch, M.D., Commissioner Councilmember Kathleen Devlin, Commissioner Mary Ellen Irwin, Commissioner Absent: Paul M. Cohen, Councilmember Absent: Richard Heine, Commissioner Others Present: Rod Gould, City Manager Robert Marcucci, Fire Chief FIRE COMMISSION ANNUAL MEETING - File 9-2-5 SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL Albert J. Boro, Mayor Barbara Heller, Cyr N. Miller, Councilmember Gary O. Phillips, Councilmember Minutes of the September 10, 1997 meeting were approved as distributed. Opening remarks made by Chairman Daniels reflected on an efficient and progressive Department, which is a credit to the City of San Rafael. He thanked the Commission for all their endeavors, especially Kathleen Devlin and Mary Ellen Irwin for the activities in the area of Fire Prevention through Vegetation Management. He also thanked Dr. Steven Mizroch for his medical expertise, and acting as liaison with Kaiser Hospital. The Department has experienced an 11% - 12% increase in medical calls this year. Total calls are expected to exceed 5,200. Mr. Daniels then thanked the Mayor, City Council, and City Manager for standing up for the Department and Paramedics during recent events. Chairman Daniels complimented Chief Marcucci and the Department for some of its major accomplishments, which include: start-up of the Business Plan process, which will encompass the next five years, noting he did not know of any other Fire Departments with the same Vision as San Rafael; Community Fire Servicing has been so successful that even the State Fire Marshal has commended the Department; the surveys have had very favorable results; the emphasis and commitment the Department makes in the area of training, especially for the high caliber people who have developed this program. Chief Marcucci distributed copies of the Business Plan Outline. He stated that as a Department they know where they have been and where they are now, but asked, what about the future? He noted the Business Plan is being developed by the people in the Department, and reported Jack Devlin, after discussions with the coordinators, facilitated a meeting with the interested Department members. Fire Prevention Officer Forrest Craig is the Department coordinator, and he met with Jack Devlin and Dr. Jovan of the Dominican College Business Department. Upon completion, the document will go to the Commission and City Manager for various uses. The process is very beneficial. There is competition in the form of private ambulance companies and other fire departments. Are we ahead of the curve? The process should move at a steady pace, with the Plan's completion in June, 1998. The Business Plan is different than a Long Range Plan, as it looks at competition and services. Chairman Daniels indicated Chief Marcucci has spoken with the Captains, urging them to be a part of the community, and interact with both the residential and business community, as this improves the image of the Department. An example cited was when a San Francisco Supervisor was sideswiped by a Muni bus, and the ensuing runaround; whereas, in San Rafael, the employees are striving to be much more responsive. Chief Marcucci discussed fire station modernization. Many of the stations were built in the 19601s. They are functional, but need to be more businesslike. Partitions for dorms would also be desirable. Station 4 (Castro Street), built in 1964, is clean but needs to be brighter, as well as have an updated kitchen. Station 2 (Third & Union Streets) was built in 1958. This station needs to be remodeled to accommodate the Paramedics. Response times for the Rescue unit would improve by at least one minute. Improvements are dependent on the infrastructure of the City, and need a long range look at budgeting for remodeling. Station 5 (Peacock Gap), on the other hand, has a different profile. Gardening and station maintenance take place and blend with their residential surroundings. City Manager Gould indicated that the Business Plan is timely, as the fire service is changing quickly. Firefighters are being asked to be a different type of employee. Council has allowed Expenditure Control Budgeting, which allows for critical infrastructure for facilities, and setting a schedule for renovations is targeted. SRCC/Fire Comm. MINUTES (Spec. Jt.) 12/10/97 Page 1 SRCC/Fire Comm. MINUTES (Spec. Jt.) 12/10/97 Page 2 Chief Marcucci responded to Mr. Daniels regarding an update of the EMS (Emergency Medical Service) delivery system. This system is being stretched into prevention. The Department has developed a partnership with Kaiser's Continuity of Care Division for adults, and a booklet focusing on seniors' safety in their homes is coming together. Collaboration with different organizations has provided for an increased level of service, which increases the added value our Firefighters are bringing in, with more productivity. The Department's public education trailer is being renovated. The 28 foot trailer has been divided into three segments: living room (with the focus on calling 911), kitchen (focus on turning pot handles in, etc.), bedroom (focus on listening for smoke detectors and escape route). Public education materials are distributed upon exiting. An overview of outreach programs in place or being considered include: Develop comfort level for kids - many 911 calls come from children; Baby Tract - stressing immunization, especially for Hispanic moms; Senior Access programs for non -Kaiser members; Broaden our emergency medical programs; New Fire Link, partnership with BELS, our Dispatch Center handling and directing calls; New DART newsletter to follow, with mailings to all graduates; 6 videos on disaster preparedness available for loan from all fire stations. Chief Marcucci commended Kaiser for their wonderful interaction with our Department, not only in emergency medicine, but in collaborating with the Department on various programs and their commitment to community. Dr. Mizroch inquired as to what programs are available to Firefighters for stress, or dealing with change? Chief Marcucci indicated that a change in mind -set is crucial, since society as a whole is changing, and we need to relate that change is good for them, and to be progressive. With Council's approval, Firefighters' salaries are good. Also, when problems develop, Ph.D.'s are available as a resource. Commissioner Mary Ellen Irwin commented on Rafael Highlands, the most recent neighborhood to address the challenge of Vegetation Management. Rafael Highlands does not have an Association, but will now start working together. Ms. Irwin also indicated Fire Safe Marin recently received a $7,500 grant for their programs, with a possibility of another to follow soon. Commissioner Kathleen Devlin indicated there needs to be more citizen involvement, especially in the area of linguistics, and children. Disaster preparation materials and programs need to be available to those unable to participate in the program as it now stands. The Canal area is very vulnerable, as liquifaction could affect most apartments in the Canal area. The DART Program should be modified to meet special needs of the Canal area, as well as the current program for those other neighborhoods. Chief Marcucci indicated that the Firefighters have great ownership in the program. The Booklet Ms. Devlin reformatted has now been printed, and when videos are loaned out, the disaster handbook is distributed with them. Chief Marcucci noted he would like some community members, as well as private support of the DART Program. It was suggested that the program become more succinct, possibly have TCI video the program, then translate and have available a Spanish video, approximately 20 minutes long, with back-up materials available. Chairman Daniels asked Councilmember Miller the perception of the Fire Department in the Canal area? Councilmember Miller indicated the Firefighters are held in high esteem. He noted Station 4 (Castro Street) recently hosted "Day of the Dead", and the Firefighters were incredible, as they are quasi -residents in the Canal. Mayor Boro asked how long the video was, and was told 16 to 20 minutes long. He asked about sending the videos out to all homeowners, and perhaps obtaining a grant to fund this. He also suggested having the video available in both Spanish and English, or having it available at schools, service clubs, Homeowner Associations, and video stores. Chief Marcucci thanked City Manager Gould for allowing him the flexibility to manage the Department, which encompasses all the different programs and aspects of community fire servicing. He stated that without this flexibility, we would not be as successful in providing these services to the community. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:44 PM. JEANNE M. LEONCINI, City Clerk SRCC/Fire Comm. MINUTES (Spec. Jt.) 12/10/97 Page 2 SRCC/Fire Comm. MINUTES (Spec. Jt.) 12/10/97 Page 3 By: Sharron Stoelzl, Secretary APPROVED THIS DAY OF 1997 MAYOR OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL SRCC/Fire Comm. MINUTES (Spec. Jt.) 12/10/97 Page 3