HomeMy WebLinkAboutFire Commission 2024-08-14 MinutesCITY OF SAN RAFAEL
FIRE COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, August 14, 2024, at 4:00 p.m.
In person meeting at 1375 Fifth Ave, San Rafael, CA 94901
The meeting was called to order at 4:00p.m. by Chair Burford
Present:
Chair Stan Burford
Commissioner David Fonkalsrud
Commissioner John Chung
Commissioner Brian Waterbury
Commissioner Donna McCusker
Commissioner Weathers
Chief Roman
Thomas Wong
Chief Sinnott
1. Open Time for Public Expression
No public Comment.
2. Approval of Minutes – June 12, 2024
Commissioner Chung makes a motion to approve the draft minutes. Seconded by
Commissioner Fonkalsrud.
The minutes are adopted unanimously.
3. Meet with ESCI Representatives – SRFD Standards of Coverage Site Assessment
Chief Sinnott introduces Rodney Mascho of ESCI.
Rodney toured all the stations and was impressed with the new stations. He is responsible for
the data analytics and models. ESCI will look at what is the best delivery model based on the
call volume and the locations of the fire stations. Goal is to have a draft report by the end of
September.
Discussion regarding developments including Northgate and their future impacts. ESCI did an
initial analysis on the impacts of Northgate and found them to be low impact.
Discussion about ISO Class 1 status and the pending change to Class II. Chief Sinnott indicates
that their may have been calculation errors and that San Rafael and other agencies made very
few changes to the department and yet was still promoted to Class I which is unusual. There are
no impacts to insurance rates between Class I and III.
4. Fire Foundation – Verbal Update from Commissioner Donna McCusker
No update from the Fire Foundation. The Foundation did not meet in July.
5. Current Media Coverage
Chair Burford discusses an article about new state standards for defensible space. Chief Sinnott
confirms that San Rafael’s standards are already more stringent than those being proposed at
the State level.
6. 150th Anniversary Sub Committee – Verbal Update from Commissioner Chung
The apparatus Parade will be postponed until 2025.
Then next Open House will be August 17 at 52 with a firefighting demonstration.
September 8 is the Open House for Station 54.
On the morning of 9/11 there will be a dedication of a monument at Station 54 with details to
follow.
Tentatively on 12/12/24 there will be an Open House at Station 51 and celebration for the
department’s 150th anniversary.
7. Chair and Commission Member Reports:
• Stan Burford– Chair: Chair Burford congratulates Commissioner Weathers on his
appointment to the Alameda County Superior Court.
• David Fonkalsrud- Vice Chair: Asks if there is a replacement for Fel. Commissioner
Fonkalsrud offers his support and expertise on social media.
• Donna McCusker: The fire foundation wants to purchase a memorial bench. Chief
Roman says that they are working on a memorial park at Station 55.
• Thomas Weathers: No report.
• John Chung: Shares information about strike teams.
• Brian Waterbury: No report.
8. Fire Chief Report
Chief Sinnott’s Report:
• MWPA and OES team staffed a booth at the 4th of July fair for all 4 days.
• A lot of recent fires including in China Camp, Contempo Marin, and Oakmont Ave.
• Staffing announcements including the promotion of Chief Alviso and Captain Endaya.
Meeting adjourned at 5:18 PM
