HomeMy WebLinkAboutFire Commission 2024-04-10 Minutes
CITY OF SAN RAFAEL
FIRE COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
April 10, 2024, at 4:05 p.m.
In person meeting at 1375 Fifth Ave, San Rafael, CA 94901
The meeting was called to order at 4:05 p.m. by Chair Burford
Present:
Chair Stan Burford
Commissioner Dave Fonkalsrud
Commissioner Donna McCusker
Commissioner John Chung
Commissioner Thomas Weathers
Commissioner Brian Waterbury
Thomas Wong
Chief Sinnott
Chief Roman
1. Open Time for Public Expression
No public Comment.
2. Approval of Minutes – March 13, 2024
Chair Burford requests to indicate in the minutes that a Fire Commissioner attended online as a
member of the public. The request is accepted by Thomas Wong.
Commissioner Chung makes a motion to approve the draft minutes. Seconded by
Commissioner Fonkalsrud.
The minutes are adopted unanimously.
3. Fire Foundation – Verbal Update from Commissioner McCusker
Commission McCusker brings and shares brochures to hand out to anyone who would like to
volunteer and get involved in the board of the Fire Foundation.
The Fire Foundation is in need of twelve volunteers in the committee to network and organize
the donations, as well as Board members.
The Fire Foundation approved the program training Firefighters to the use of drones. The
program is starting in April/May.
Discussion about the Drone Training program’s publicity on social medias.
4. Current Media Coverage
Hotshot, March 22 Edition – SRFD
Fireproofing no help for some policyholder – Bay Area News Group
SF Weights Ban on Harmful Chemicals - San Francisco Chronicle
California insurers are dropping homes due to ‘density’ – San Francisco Chronicle
Chair Burford shares numbers on Marin County’s Home Fire Insurance that will not be renewed
by Statefarm due to density.
Discussion on the insurer's version of the impact of fires. Although the insurer shows the
location of the major fires: Santa Rosa, CA and Paradise, CA. the whole State is impacted by this
non-renewal of Fire Insurance due to density.
5. Chair and Commission Member Reports:
• Stan Burford– Chair: No report.
• David Fonkalsrud- Vice Chair: No report.
• Thomas Weathers: No report.
• Donna McCusker: No report.
• John Chung: No report.
• Brian Waterbury: No report.
6. Fire Chief Report
• Chief Sinnott’s Report:
Hot Shot should be received by all members of the Commission. The fire website allows
anybody to sign up.
Fire Operations updates:
• Highway cohesion involving a trailer full of gravels. No serious injuries. The freeway got
shot. The Firefighters took on themselves to clean the gravels.
• A Fire at Taqueria San Jose was caused by unauthorized wiring installed.
• On March 23rd, a Car crashed and exposed a PG&E gas Line. A major incident was
avoided.
Chief Roman’s Report about the new Marin Fire Dispatch Center.
• The contract was signed on Feb 23rd with Marin County Fire Department for dispatch
services.
• The Dispatch Center is really an Emergency Command Center, the Fire Captain will have
the power of decision on what vehicle will be sent on call.
• This Dispatch model is unique in the Bay area, being responsible for the entire County.
• The recruiting process has started.
• Thomas Wong reports on the financial side of the project. San Rafael is funding 24% of
the share. The annual cost for San Rafael Fire is $1.25 Million. San Rafael is covering 34%
of the calls in the County.
Promotional exams for Fire Captains happened on March 28th and were successful.
Two Cadets started last month. Chief Roman explains the Cadets position.
Discussion on the increase of housing in San Rafael
Commissioner Waterbury express his concern on the Northgate Town Square Project,
retirement facility, increasing the number of calls. Discussion led by Chief Sinnott.
7. Discussion on Celebrating the San Rafael Fire Department’s 150th Anniversary:
Chair Burford reminds the group of an historical fact: San Rafael Fire Department was created
on December 14th 1874.
Commissioner Chung shares his ideas, resulting from meetings with Battalion Chief Bernard,
Captains Berkey and Northern.
Commissioner McCusker offers to have the Fire Foundation involved.
Discussion about funding the event.
Meeting adjourned at 5:22 PM