HomeMy WebLinkAboutFire Commission 2024-01-10 Minutes
CITY OF SAN RAFAEL
FIRE COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
January 10, 2024 at 4:00 p.m.
In person meeting at 1375 Fifth Ave, San Rafael, CA 94901
The meeting was called to order at 4:02 p.m. by Chair Burford
Present:
Chair Stan Burford
Commissioner Donna McCusker
Commissioner Ken Johnson
Commissioner Dave Fonkalsrud
Commissioner Waterbury
Commissioner Chung
Chief Sinnott
Thomas Wong
1. Open Time for Public Expression
No public comments
2. Approval of Minutes
Commissioner Fonkalsrud makes a motion to approve the draft minutes. Seconded by Commissioner
Johnson.
The minutes are adopted unanimously.
3. Appoint Chair and Vice-Chair for 2024
Commissioner Johnson motions to reelect Chair Burford and Vice-Chair Fonkalsrud in their current role.
Commissioner Chung seconds. Commission unanimously approved to reelect Chair Burford and Vice-
Chair Fonkalsrud for 2024.
4. Fire Foundation
Commissioner McCusker announces her donation from the Fire Foundation to start the San Rafael Fire
Department’s first drone program. The program will be in honor of her late brother, San Rafael
Firefighter Michael McCusker and the drone will be named “Big Mac”. Battalion Chief Kyle Hamilton
assisted in getting the approvals to make the program come true.
5. Current Media Coverage
Marin mental crisis team fortifies public safety system – Marin Independent Journal
Commissioner Fonkalsrud shares an article about a nine person response team that is assisting those
that the fire department respond to often, for non-emergency calls.
7. Commissioners’ Report
Commissioner Fonkalsrud reports that he helped provide gifts to station 55 which they appreciated. He
asks whether SRFD has any volunteer firefighter program. Chief Roman says we do not have a program,
but SRFD is looking at doing something like that as it is a good feeder program. Marinwood has one and
Chief Roman is interested in working with them as it could work as a good feeder for SRFD. The
department does have Explorers and a new cadet program.
Commissioner Johnson commends the drone program. He talks about the drone program at FAIRA and
will put the department in touch with his contact there.
Commissioner Chung visited Station 51 and took out Fire Admin to lunch for the holidays.
Commissioner Waterbury went through his old items and provided Fire Management Plans from the
early 2000’s.
Chair Burford did a station visit at 57 and enjoyed it. The crew was friendly, and they chatted for a long
time.
8. Fire Chief’s Report
Chief Sinnott provides department wide updates including there were no holiday tragedies this year,
Station 54 opened on January 3rd, and offer letters for new FF/PM candidates are going out.
Meeting adjourned at 5:22 PM