HomeMy WebLinkAboutFire Commission 2025-03-12 MinutesCITY OF SAN RAFAEL
FIRE COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
Public Safety Center, Lobby Conference Room
1375 5th Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94901
Meeting called to order at 4:02 PM.
Present:
Chair David Fonkalsrud
Commissioner Ken Johnson
Commissioner Stan Burford
Commissioner John Chung
Commissioner Donna McCusker
Commissioner Brian Waterbury (Virtual)
Chief Sinnott
Chief Roman
Rodney Mascho – ESCI (virtual)
1. Open Time for Public Expression
No public comment.
2. Approval of Minutes – February 12, 2025
Chair Fonkalsrud asks if there are any corrections or objections, hearing none,
Commissioner Johnson seconds and the minutes are adopted unanimously.
3. Standards of Coverage Presentation – Rodney Mascho, ESCI
Rodney Mascho of ESCI presents a final version of the San Rafael Fire
Department’s Standard of Coverage Study. Rodney discusses the report
including Northgate impacts, staffing, deployment, station locations,
Marinwood shared agreement, and more. Rodney discusses recommendations
including developing long-term agreement with Marinwood, fill Deputy Fire Chief
position, complete an in-depth community risk assessment, and more.
4. Prioritize 2025 Fire Commission Goals
• Council Relationships
• Support for SR Fire Foundation
o Volunteer activities in support of the annual Crab Feed and any other
community events
• Public Awareness
o Advice and support for SRFD staff in communicating about fire safety to
the community through online channels (social media)
• Community Engagement
o Support SRFD and city events, such as: Labor Day parade; 911 memorial
service; the end of year party; Fire Prevention Week; fire station open
house events; movie night booths; Ember Stomp; Marin County Fair; any
other events commemorating the 150th anniversary
• Citizen Assistance Program
Commissioners agree that they approved of these goals for 2025. They agreed
that the Council relationship is the primary goal for 2025.
5. Fire Foundation – Verbal Update from Commissioner Donna McCusker
Fire Foundation has one new board member, need two more board members.
Foundation also wants the department to prioritize needs for the Foundation.
Chief Roman is going to work with SRFA to prioritize needs and work together on
that.
6. 150th Anniversary Sub Committee – Verbal Update from Commissioner Chung
No updates
7. Chair and Commission Member Reports:
David Fonkalsrud – Chair
Ken Johnson - Vice Chair – ISO ratings are very important to the
community and large landowners.
Stan Burford – Commissioner Burford met with Sara Zaragoza to
determine what the situation with the City’s CERT program. Fire Safe
Marin has a lot of the resources that we don’t and we should work with
them. Chief Roman indicates that we are already working with them.
John Chung – Commissioner Chung met with Kate Anderson and learned
that Measure C expires in 2030. He spoke with Thomas and found out
there is a lot of other factors in terms of ballot measures and when to
take them on. Discussed paramedic tax with as well and other revenue
sources. Need to educate homeowners on how it will affect them.
Donna McCusker – Firefighters without borders is going to Manzanillo,
Mexico this year. They are going to do training. Commissioner McCusker
is going to ask the Fire Foundation if they want to contribute to them.
Brian Waterbury – No report
8. Fire Chief Report
Chief Sinnott reviews the Chief’s Report and shares talking points regarding
water flow and new developments.