HomeMy WebLinkAboutFire Commission 2022-06-08 Minutes
CITY OF SAN RAFAEL FIRE DEPARTMENT
FIRE COMMISSION MEETING
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
June 8,2022
VIA ZOOM
Present: Absent:
Chair Larry Luckham Vice Chair Nadine Atieh
Thomas Weathers David Fonkalsrud - Alternate
Ken Johnson
Stan Burford
Donna McCusker – Alternate
Fire Chief Darin White
Special Guest: Capt. Pete Martin – Retired SRFD/Marin Co. FF
Chair Luckham called the meeting to order at 4:07PM.
[Minor technical problems with new Zoom protocol-slight delay]
1. OPEN TIME FOR PUBLIC EXPRESSION
With no members of the public present, Chair Luckham started
the meeting [off agenda] by welcoming Pete Martin and shared a
summary of Captain Martin’s contributions to the San Rafael and
Marin County fire departments.
2. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
First order of business – approval of the minutes form the 5/11/22
Commission meeting. Moved to accept by FC Stan Burford,
seconded by FC Ken Johnson - vote, unanimous.
3. FIRE FOUNDATION
FC McCusker reported that the Foundation has approximately
$93,000 in cash reserves. She also described a proposal that was
made to the Foundation to participate in a program called “Boots
for Troops”. The idea being to help subsidize the cost of newly
designed, more protective, longer lasting fire-fighting footwear.
The Foundation is looking into the costs and logistics of
distribution.
FC McCusker also put out a call for volunteers to assist the
Foundation with Heritage Day, August 27, 2022, at China Camp.
[Questions? Email programs@friendsofchinacamp.org or
call (415) 456-0766.]
4. HISTORIC SUBCOMMITTEE
Though History is being made every day, there was none to
report this month. Sometimes, no news is good news.
5. CHAIR AND COMMISSION REPORTS
FC Thomas Weathers – Nothing to report
FC Ken Johnson – Ken presented:
AIR is the most popular Wildfire modeling tool Lloyds of London is
using. Our discussion centered on Northern California and the
San Rafael area. The general direction of Ken’s presentation
concerned the impact of “modeling” and the changing costs of fire
insurance. Detailed information available at:
https://www.air-worldwide.com/models/wildfire2/Introducing-AIR-
s-Wildfire-Model-for-the-United-States/
FC Stan Burford spoke about recent communications with City
Manager Jim Schutz and the Commissions interest in including
First Responder contact information in the San Rafael Activities
Guide published by the San Rafael Park and Recreation
Commission. Progress is being made now with newly opened
communication between SRFD and the P & C Commission.
FC Donna McCusker – Nothing more to add beyond her SRF-
Foundation report.
FC-Chair Larry Luckham – A reminder of upcoming department
promotions and a ceremony to be held 6/17 at Station 52. A brief
discussion of a letter of commendation for retired Chair Stephen
Mizroch. FC Burford asked about our current ISO rating. [An ISO
fire rating, also referred to as a fire score or Public Protection
Classification (PPC), is a score from one to 10 that indicates how
well-protected your community is by the fire department.] Our
current rating is #1 and there is every expectation it will stay #1.
The Berkeley Fire Department will be conducting special training
classes regarding arson investigations. Recommendation made
that SRFD, and Marin Co. Fire consider participation. Prescribed
fires and controlled burns are back on the schedule for
Marin…dates and locations to be announced.
SRFD Chief White – His monthly update included: Marin Wildfire
Prevention Authority FY 2022-23 workplan and annual budget.
Work for some of the proposed projects will start 7/1/2022.
Vegetation Management: five temporary “Seasonal” Defensible
Space Inspectors have been hired. New member joins SRFD: on
6/27/2022 the Command Staff will be adding the position of
Deputy Chief of Operations. COVID-19 continues to be an
operational reality. The newest subvariants, BA.4 and BA.5 are
believed to be more transmissible than the current variant BA.2.
The department remains vigilant with operational protocol.
Construction continues at Stations 54 and 55. SRFD Academy
#25 will welcome seven applicants to begin training on 7/5/2022.
Captain Nicholas Giusti, SRFD Training Officer, recently directed
an exercise training existing staff on the process of D.R.A.F.T.S.
[Direct recirculating apparatus training sustainability] the process
of using high volumes of water while capturing and recirculating
the runoff, saving copious amounts of water from going down the
drain. On a quarterly basis the City of San Rafael recognizes
outstanding individual employees and groups. Mayor Kate Colin
and City Manager Jim Schutz recently presented “Employee of
the Third Quarter” to Deputy Chief Robert Sinnott and the “Team
of The Fourth Quarter went to the SRFD Vegetation Management
Unit.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:01 P.M.
Prepared by: FC Stan Burford
