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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFire Commission 2025-08-13 Agenda Packet SAN RAFAEL FIRE COMMISSION Wednesday, August 13, 2025 @ 4:00 P.M. San Rafael Public Safety Center 1350 5th Ave, San Rafeal, CA 94901 Watch on Zoom: https://cityofsanrafael-org.zoom.us/j/87645072553 Webinar ID: 876 4507 2553 Listen by phone: +1 669 900 9128 Members of the Public May Speak on Agenda Items 1. Open Time for Public Expression The public is welcome to address the Fire Commission at this time on matters not on the agenda that are within its jurisdiction. Please be advised that pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2, the Fire Commission is not permitted to discuss or take action on any matter not on the agenda unless it determines that an emergency exists, or that there is a need to take immediate action which arose following posting of the agenda. Comments may be no longer than two minutes and should be respectful to the community. 2. Approval of Minutes – June 11, 2025 Recommended Action: Amend and or approve as submitted. 3. Fire Foundation – Verbal Update from Commissioner Donna McCusker Recommended Action: Accept Verbal Report and take appropriate action. 4. 150th Anniversary Sub Committee – Verbal Update from Commissioner Chung Recommended Action: Accept Verbal Report and take appropriate action. 5. Media – Articles and events pertaining to the Fire Service Civilian Firefighters Sponsored Awareness and Fraud Wheels & Wings 2025 San Rafael emerges as magnet for housing proposals – Marin IJ Marin resident thanks local fire department for heroic actions during rescue – Marin IJ San Rafael firefighting heroes honored at 75-year mark of catastrophe – Marin IJ 6. EMS Overview and Update – Chief Hatfield, EMS BC Recommended Action: Accept Verbal Report and take appropriate action. 7. Chair and Commission Member Reports: David Fonkalsrud – Chair Ken Johnson - Vice Chair Stan Burford – SRFD Informational Insert John Chung Donna McCusker Brian Waterbury Informational only. No action to be taken on these items. 8. Fire Chief Report Informational only. No action to be taken. Any records relating to an agenda item, received by a majority or more of the board or commission less than 72 hours before the meeting, shall be available for inspection at San Rafael Fire Department’s Administrative Office, 1375 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael, CA. Sign Language interpreters and assistive listening devices may be requested by calling (415) 485-3066 (voice), emailing Lindsay.lara@cityofsanrafael.org or using the California Telecommunications Relay Service by dialing “711”, at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting. Copies of documents are available in accessible formats upon request. Public transportation is available through Golden Gate Transit, Line 22 or 23. Paratransit is available by calling Whistlestop. Wheels at (415) 454-0964. To allow individuals with environmental illness or multiple chemical sensitivity to attend the meeting/hearing, individuals are requested to refrain from wearing scented products. SAN RAFAEL FIRE COMMISSION FIRE COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, June 11, 2025 @ 4:00 P.M. Fire Station 55 955 Point San Pedro Dr, San Rafael 94901 Meeting called to order at 4:01 PM. Present: Chair David Fonkalsrud Commissioner Ken Johnson Commissioner John Chung Commissioner Donna McCusker Commissioner Brian Waterbury Chief Roman Chief Sinnott Thomas Wong 1. Open Time for Public Expression Comment made by one member of the public regarding the left turn lane at Marquard Avenue. 2. Approval of Minutes – May 14, 2025 Chair Fonkalsrud asks if there are any corrections or objections, hearing none, Commissioner Johnson moves to approve, Commissioner Chung seconds and the minutes are adopted unanimously. 3. Fire Foundation – Verbal Update from Commissioner Donna McCusker Commissioner McCusker introduces a new fire foundation board member. Commissioner McCusker shares a newspaper article showing the Santa Rosa Fire Foundation and their corporate sponsors. The Fire Foundation would like the department to give a demonstration of the drone to the Foundation and the Commission. The Foundation donated helmet shields to members of the department. 4. 150th Anniversary Sub Committee – Verbal Update from Commissioner Chung 9/11 service will happen at 08:00. They want to do a marine pop-up event and to showcase EMS. Aiming to do an open house at PSC maybe with PD during Fire Prevention week in October. 5. Media – Articles and events pertaining to the Fire Service Fire Department Eyes Shakeup Amid Rising Demand – Palo Alto Online ISO Rating Announcement Marin Voice: San Rafael fire chief urges all to make plan for emergencies – Marin IJ San Rafael Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan 6. Chair and Commission Member Reports: David Fonkalsrud – Chair: Councilmember Hill was interested in the drone when Commissioner Fonkalsrud spoke with him and video of the drone was sent to him. Peacock Gap HOA put on a mailer on fire prevention. One more avenue of communication through HOAs. Commissioner Fonkalsrud asks about the work happening at Station 55. Chief Roman said part of it is a memorial for fallen firefighters and the other is a demonstration since Station 55 is the only fire station within a wildland fire zone. Last Commission meeting, the July meeting was canceled. The August meeting will be at the PSC. The September meeting will be at Station 56. Commissioner McCusker recommends the First Responder Therapy Dogs. Commissioner Fonkalsrud recommends someone from the SAFE team. Commissioner Chung recommends Chief Hatfield to talk about EMS. John Chung: Assisted in driving the Fire Chief’s vehicle to a vendor for upfitting. Donna McCusker: Compliments Chair Fonkalsrud for asking the Commission to meet with Councilmembers. Had a great experience and connected with Councilmember Bushey. Councilmember Bushey directed Commissioner McCusker to the San Rafael Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan. One item that was important was having a backup battery for the garage door. Brian Waterbury: Working with the Marin Fire History Committee, with a purpose to document the history of Fire Departments in Marin County. Finished providing a video regarding the 1974 San Rafael Hill Fire. Working on the history of the Marinwood Fire Department. 7. Fire Chief Report Chief Sinnott provides the Chief Report: Station 55 was renovated and not torn down. The living quarters was raised out of the flood plane and a new structure. The station is cross staffed, when the two primary ambulances are busy, medic 55 can be called into service. A fire flow upgrade will be started on Pt San Pedro soon. The City has almost 3,000 fire hydrants but San Rafael is required to maintain them. There were a number of fires recently but they were all tremendous saves. Kudos to the Fire Operation division. Four members of our staff were awarded at the CA EMS banquet. Chief Roman: Hired two laterals, one from Diamond Springs and one from Paterson. Starting an Academy next month. Will be overstaffed by three soon which is where we want to be. The American Heart Association provided an award for heart attacks. We have saved people a lot of people and very proud of the EMS division. Two Emergency Management Coordinators being brought on. Hoping to start the BLS program soon. Meeting adjourned at 5:24