HomeMy WebLinkAboutFire Commission 2021-05-12 Agenda Packet
AGENDA
SAN RAFAEL FIRE COMMISSION
VIRTUAL MEETING
Wednesday, May 12 @ 4:00 P.M.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://tinyurl.com/FC-2021-05-12
ID: 848-8223-7245
Zoom link to follow for Commissioners and Staff only
Members of the Public May Speak on Agenda Items
1. Open Time for Public Expression
The public is welcome to address the Fire Commission at this time on matters not on the agenda that are within its
jurisdiction. Please be advised that pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2, the Fire Commission is not
permitted to discuss or take action on any matter not on the agenda unless it determines th at an emergency exists, or
that there is a need to take immediate action which arose following posting of the agenda. Comments may be no
longer than two minutes and should be respectful to the community.
2. Approval of Minutes – March 10, 2021 (April’s meeting was postponed)
Recommended Action: Amend and or approve as submitted.
3. Fire Foundation – Verbal Update from Appropriate Commissioner(s)
Recommended Action: Accept Verbal Report and take appropriate act ion.
4. Historic Subcommittee – Verbal Update from Appropriate Commissioner(s)
Recommended Action: Accept Verbal Report and take appropriate action.
5. Chair and Commission Member Reports:
Dr. Stephen Mizroch – Chair
Larry Luckham – Vice Chair
Thomas Weathers
Nadine Hade
David Fonkalsrud, Alternate
Stan Burford, Alternate
Informational only. No action to be taken on these items.
6. Fire Chief Report
Informational only. No action to be taken.
Any records relating to an agenda item, received by a majority or more of the board or commission less than 72 hours before the
meeting, shall be available for inspection at San Rafael Fire Department’s Administrative Office, 1375 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael, CA.
Sign Language interpreters and assistive listening devices may be requested by calling (415) 485-3066 (voice), emailing
Lindsay.lara@cityofsanrafael.org or using the California Telecommunications Relay Service by dialing “711”, at least 72 hours in
advance of the meeting. Copies of documents are available in accessible formats upon request. Public transportation is available
through Golden Gate Transit, Line 22 or 23. Paratransit is available by calling Whistlestop. Wheels at (415) 454-0964. To allow
individuals with environmental illness or multiple chemical sensitivity to attend the meeting/hearing, individuals are requested to
refrain from wearing scented products.
1
CITY OF SAN RAFAEL
FIRE COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
March 10, 2021 at 4:00 p.m.
Meeting Via Zoom
The meeting was called to order at 4:02 p.m. by Chair Mizroch.
Present: Chair Stephen Mizroch, Vice Chair Larry Luckham, Commissioner Thomas
Weathers, Commissioner Nadine Hade, Commissioner David Fonkalsrud,
Commissioner Stan Burford.
Staff: Fire Chief Darin White
1. Open Time for Public Expression
No public comments.
2. Approval of Minutes
Vice Chair Luckham corrected “Camera 50” to “Photo 50” in the minutes for 2/10/21.
Commissioner Burford added that the meeting closed at “5:19 p.m.” Vice Chair
Luckham moved to adopt the revised minutes. Commissioner Fonkalsrud seconded.
The minutes were adopted unanimously.
3. Fire Foundation
Chair Mizroch reported that the Fire Foundation had $66,948 in the bank. He also
reported that there had been an identity theft attempt using the Fire Foundation
name. Somebody had tried to open a credit card in the name of the Fire Foundation.
The Fire Foundation also received a 1099 Form stating that somebody sold $70,000
worth of stuff on behalf of the Fire Foundation which was not true. Commissioner
Fonkalsrud asked if an employer identification was available. Vice Chair Luckham
thought a 1099 Form odd because a fraudster does not usually file taxes. Chair
Mizroch said the Fire Foundation is transparent on-line so anybody can see its
information but that the Fire Foundation did not lose any money in these fraud
attempts.
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Commissioner Burford asked about charity money going from Amazon to the Fire
Foundation through an Amazon purchase program. The Fire Foundation has
received $241 from Amazon for purchases on Amazon. Chair Mizroch reported that
the Fire Foundation initially signed-up for charity payments from Amazon for
purchases but a local business recommended purchases should be from local
businesses. Chair Mizroch said he would follow up with the Fire Foundation to
determine if the Fire Foundation should continue in the Amazon program or abandon
participation to avoid tenson with local businesses.
4. Historic Subcommittee
No report.
5. Commissioners’ Report
Vice Chair Luckham had nothing to report except that he has Fire Commission mugs
for people. Commissioner Weathers had nothing to report. Commissioner Hade had
nothing to report. Commissioner Fonkalsrud reported that he was working on an
editorial calendar. Chair Mizroch responded that the spreadsheet on different topics
was terrific. Fire Chief White also said he appreciated the spreadsheet.
Commissioner Burford had nothing to report. Chair Mizroch suggested the Fire
Commission consider resuming in-person meetings. Vice Chair Luckham was
amenable. Commissioner Weathers was opposed until all Commissioners were
vaccinated. Commissioner Fonkalsrud was also opposed until full vaccination for all
Commissioners. Commissioner Hade open to in-person meetings if outside, done at
a distance, and all participants masked. There was then discussion on when
vaccines might be available for persons under age 65. Consensus was to wait until
everybody vaccinated.
6. Fire Chief’s Report
Fire Chief White reported that he had prepared a certificate for former Commissioner
Hill who was appointed to the City Council. He showed the certificate to the
Commission. He had also prepared certificates for fire captains. Fire Chief White
also reported on the citizen concerns with access to the upper Fremont area in San
Rafael. He discussed vegetation management and the fire truck turnaro und. There
will be a chipper day and more inspections. The Fire Department would be walking
the property again and continuing to work with the property owner to minimize fire
risk. The turnaround was for garbage and delivery trucks.
The citizen was thankful for the Fire Department’s response and involvement with
the issue and wanted additional information from the Fire Department. Fire Chief
White said he would go and try to determine if a fire truck could use the
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garbage/delivery truck turnaround. Vice Chair Luckham said a smaller fire truck
could probably use the turnaround. Chair Mizroch applauded the citizen for being a
neighborhood advocate. He also suggested that everybody needs to know safe
evacuation routes. Commissioner Burford asked about legal requirements for fire
truck turnarounds. The development of upper Fremont pre-dates the zoning codes
on turnarounds. Chair Mizroch thanked Fire Chief White for chipper days and
vegetation management.
Fire Chief White reported that the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority was up and
running and interviewing for planning program coordinator. A staff was being built.
He also reported on the chipper program and looking for increased participants. He
was also looking into an air curtain burner as an alternative to dumping vegetation.
He said chipping will occur four days a week.
Fire Chief White also commented about COVID-19 and the progress Marin County
was making in moving into the red tier. He reported vaccination sites were operating
around the county.
Fire Chief White reported on a fire in an RV park on West Francisco. A non -profit
helped the displaced families. There was also a car that crashed into a building on
Woodland Avenue. Fire Chief White applauded the San Rafael Police Department
for catching the driver who ran from the crash.
Fire Chief White reported that the fire academy had graduated two persons. He also
thanked a local school that donated donuts to firefighters training off Smith Ranch
Road. He reported that Captain Schmitt retired.
The meeting adjourned at 5:08 p.m.
1
To: San Rafael Fire Commission
From Darin White, Fire Chief
Date: May 12, 2021
Re: Monthly Report
__________________________________________________________________________________
Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority-Vegetation Management
On Monday April 19, 2021, MWPA Executive Director Mark Brown presented information on current
MWPA activities to the San Rafael City Council Members and Mayor Kate Colin. Anne Creelock has
been hired as the Planning and Program Manager of the MWPA and will begin sometime in May. In
addition, Sabrina Teller will serve as legal counsel for the MWPA and is providing assistance with
aligning the language for proposed submissions for those agencies interested in, or requiring assistance.
Two environmental firms are scheduled to provide presentations to the Executive Committee. FireSafe
Marin will provide its first workshop the week of May 4, 2021 and the first of two contracts for the
expanded chipper days has been signed. Chipper days will be offered beginning May 17, 2021.
Drought
Although Cal Fire has not communicated its firefighting strategies for this year’s fires, it is readily
apparent that the very dry winter has led to reduced moisture content in large fuels as well as light and
flashy fuels. The dry vegetation could become problematic earlier this year and we have already begun to
witness the effects of this with recent wild fire incidents in the state.
Water conservation efforts should already be underway for most fire service agencies. The use of
recirculating pumps and other water recapturing units for training, will enable new firefighters to learn
the extinguishing methods and products that have served as a foundation for firefighting efforts going
back millenia. However, new products such as fire retardants, dry chemicals and powders may all see
increased utility from local and state agencies as we all find ways to conserve water.
Vegetation Management
Last year we had 6 inspectors conducting vegetation management inspections. This year we will be
staffed with 17 inspection staff. This combination model of seasonal and permanent/highly trained staff
began inspections on April 26, 2021. The first folks started in San Rafael in Bret Harte and Lincoln Hill.
Inspections will begin in Marinwood in the next couple of weeks. The following link will be useful to
residents seeking assistance through the Americorps crews: https://www.cityofsanrafael.org/wildfire-
prevention-assistance/
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COVID/Vaccinations
On Tuesday April 27, 2021 Marin County’s public health officer said that it is safe for people who have
been fully immunized for COVID-19 to be outside without a mask, provided they avoid crowds.
Dr. Matt Willis followed the lead of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the California Department of
Public Health, which had made similar announcements earlier the same day. It appears Governor Gavin
Newsom also issued revisions to state regulations regarding mask wearing that align with the CDC.
Due to a last-minute spike in infections, Marin County was not be able to move to the Yellow Tier last week
as had been anticipated. Moving to the Yellow Tier will result in additional capacity for most facilities,
restaurants, malls, businesses, churches, etc.
As Marin County begins to phase out the large-scale vaccine sites by the end of May it will rely on
mobile pop-up vaccination sites. Over the past two months, Marin has expanded its mobile operations to
offer more targeted pop-up vaccine clinics in communities where few or no vaccination options
exist. Appointment requirements have been waived, but those with appointments are being accepted, and
plans are underway to deploy mobile teams to large apartment complexes, local events, or shopping
centers where people naturally gather.
Marin’s two mass vaccination sites in San Rafael will close at the end of May. The last date to obtain a
first dose vaccine from the Marin Health and Wellness Campus on Kerner Boulevard or Marin Center
(Marin County Fairgrounds) vaccine sites was Saturday, May 1. Both sites will remain open through May
29 to fulfill second dose needs. In addition, it appears that COVID vaccinations for kids ages 12-15 could
be approved as early as this week. Reportedly, the Pfizer vaccination clinical trials have been a
tremendous success with a 100% efficacy rate with kids ages 12-15.
The Larkspur Ferry Terminal will continue to operate but individuals will need to have set an appointment
beforehand. No drop-ins will be accepted.
COVID-19 Vaccine supply has now outpaced demand in Marin County. So much so that people who are
16 years of age and older do not have to be a Marin County employee or resident to receive a vaccination,
and no photo ID is required. As of May 2, 2021 approximately 300,032 doses of vaccines have been
administered in Marin County. Out of an estimated 209,638 adults living in Marin County, an estimated
174,682 have received at least one dose and 133,376 have completed the series of doses (2).
Utstein Survival Report
On April 15, 2021 I received a report that reflected very well on the San Rafael Fire Department’s
members and our community members. The Utstein Survival Report says that for calendar year 2020,
individuals who experienced a cardiac arrest (non-traumatic) that was witnessed, survived 66.7% of these
incidents. Six of these instances were indicated. 2 out of 3 is a higher rate than I have known of. For
those individuals who witnessed a cardiac arrest and intervened, the study found that 3 out of 4 bystanders
were proactive in providing intervention either via CPR or via the use of an Automated External
Defibrillator (AED). However, the study also pointed to the use of AEDs in only about 20% of incidents
so additional awareness and training in the public’s familiarization with and use of defibrillators may be
ideal.
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Training
During the week of April 19th several candidates underwent the pumping portion of the current Engineer
of Fire examination process at Novato Fire Station no. 62. Individuals completed pump and roll and
associated operations with our Type III apparatus (below) and utilized the Type I apparatus to complete
pumping scenarios. In the latter, the department’s D.R.A.F.T.S system/trailer was utilized to recirculate
and conserve water.
4
Donation
On April 27, 2021 San Rafael Fire Commission Chair and Fire Foundation founding member, Dr.
Stephen Mizroch has generously donated two original San Rafael Fire Department fire brigade buckets
from circa the late 1800s to the early 1900s. These two buckets are in superb shape and help the
department to preserve important nostalgic items and historical memorabilia as it approaches its 150th
anniversary in 2024.
These donations are intended to be prominently featured in an upcoming display at the newly constructed
Public Safety Center. The San Rafael Fire Department would like to thank Dr. Mizroch for his efforts to
obtain these items at his expense of time and considerable resources.
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Milestone
On Saturday May 1, 2021, retired San Rafael Fire Department (SRFD) Captain John Diego celebrated his
100th birthday! Just after 1:00 p.m. a procession of about 50 civilian and public safety vehicles filled with
well-wishers who came from near and far proceeded to drive by the 5th Avenue side of the Church of
Saint Rafael/Mission. It was a beautiful, sunny day and many folks also walked by (thoughtfully
maintained social distancing) and wished Ca. Diego a Happy 100th Birthday. According to his son, Ca.
Diego served the SRFD for about 35 years. As you can see, he is still going strong and doing well. As a
gift, the Department provided Ca. Diego with a new baseball cap, sweatshirt, and public safety center
challenge coin.
