HomeMy WebLinkAboutFire Commission 2025-05-14 Minutes
CITY OF SAN RAFAEL
FIRE COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, May 14, 2025 @ 4:00 P.M.
Public Safety Center
1375 5th Ave, San Rafael, CA
Meeting called to order at 4:01 PM.
Present:
Chair David Fonkalsrud
Commissioner Ken Johnson
Commissioner Stan Burford
Commissioner John Chung
Commissioner Donna McCusker
Commissioner Brian Waterbury
Chief Sinnott
Thomas Wong
1. Open Time for Public Expression
No public comment.
2. Approval of Minutes – April 9, 2025
Chair Fonkalsrud asks if there are any corrections or objections, hearing none ,
Commissioner Burford moves to approve, Commissioner Johnson seconds and the minutes
are adopted unanimously.
3. Fire Foundation – Verbal Update from Commissioner Donna McCusker
Commissioner McCusker met with the San Rafael Fire Association about fundraising.
4. Media – Articles and events pertaining to the Fire Service
Assemblymember Connolly Appointed Chair of Assembly Select Committee on Wildfire
Prevention
California housing development niche – Marin Independent Journal
• Commissioner Burford notes that it’s interesting that houses have been built with
stucco and other fire resistant materials for many years but now home builders are
marketing it.
Close to Home - Press Democrat
Speaker Event: San Rafael Hook and Ladder Co. No. 1 – Laura Ackley
• Commissioner Chung states that there is a speaker event on the hand pulled car that
is stored in Gerstle Parkt
Natural Catastrophe and Climate Report – Gallagher Report
5. 150th Anniversary Sub Committee – Verbal Update from Commissioner Chung
Commissioner Chung went to May Madness at 4th St this year. Says would be good to have a
presence there next year.
SRFD is trying to beef up their Water Rescue Program and get new jet skis. Need about
$20,000 and will be looking at ways to fundraise. Need more money for the Fire Boat.
Discussing three popup events to show off our EMS capabilities.
6. Chair and Commission Member Reports:
Commissioner Burford: Has been communicating with City Manager, Director of Recreation,
and inside person at recreation in charge of the annual publications. Have a meeting with
Quinn next week to discuss content and to set up procedures to get this done to meet
Recreation’s deadline.
Commissioner Chung: 9/11 there will be the name reading event again like last year at 54.
This year’s event will be open to the public and invites will go out.
Commissioner McCusker: Fire Foundation is waiting for the department wish list before the
next fundraising goal.
Commissioner Waterbury: Has been asked to participate in the Marin Fire History
Committee. They go into the history of fire departments in Marin County. They are going to
be doing the history of the 1976 Fairhills Fire. Also doing a research project on the
Marinwood Fire Department.
Chair Fonkalsrud: Met with Councilmember Hill and gave general updates about the Fire
Commission, growth, and insurance. He expressed interest in the Drone program. Chair
Fonkalsrud asked about the Standards of Coverage report and Chief Sinnott indicates it will
go to Council with the Paramedic Tax update.
Chair Fonkalsrud asks the group what month should be canceled. The July meeting will be
canceled. The June meeting will be held at Station 55.
7. Chief’s Report
Chief Sinnott provided the report. The department held an egg drop competition. There
were a few boat related incidents. There was also a fire that started in a garbage can that
went to the roof.