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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFire Commission 2016-07-13 MinutesCITY OF SAN RAFAEL FIRE DEPARTMENT FIRE COMMISSION MEETING Minutes of the Regular Meeting JULY 13, 2016 STATION 55 – 955 Point San Pedro Road PRESENT STAFF PRESENT Stephen Mizroch Battalion Chief Jeffrey Rowan Larry Luckham Carolyn Lenert Leonard Thompson Absent with notice Thomas Weathers David Fonkalsrud, Commissioner Alt. Chair Stephen Mizroch called the Fire Commission to order at 4:02 pm. The minutes of the June meeting were approved. Reports. Commissioner Thompson. On behalf of the San Rafael Fire Foundation, the pet oxygen mask kits have arrived. In addition, the Foundation completed the water rescue boat purchase for $60,000 (which included travel expenses). Fundraising efforts need to continue. Publicity will be planned when the boat is activated. Commissioner Thompson reminded the Commission of the invitation to the SRFF Crab Feed (on December 17, 2016). A kickoff event with Robert Palmer will be held at a joint meeting of the Fire Commission and the Foundation at a date to be announced. Chair Stephen Mizroch. Commissioner Mizroch announced the first meeting of the San Rafael Public Safety History Exhibit Group being considered for the new Essential Services Facilities Building. Chair Mizroch reminded the Commissioners of this Monday’s, July 18, 2016, noon meeting. Commissioner Larry Luckham. He announced that the junior and volunteer firefighters from the recent trip to Peru are considering a July/August CITY OF SAN RAFAEL FIRE DEPARTMENT FIRE COMMISSION MEETING Minutes of the Regular Meeting JULY 13, 2016 STATION 55 – 955 Point San Pedro Road and/or mid-January/February trip to Marin. But, no visas are available at this time due to the 65 day turnaround at the U.S. Embassy. Commissioner Carolyn Lenert commented on the release of the Marin County Community Wildfire Protection Plan for 2016, and the work of the Lions Club with the CERT program. Then the firefighters of Station 5 introduced themselves and shared their backgrounds. Battalion Chief Rowan shared the Fire Chief Gray’s report (attached) and noted that there were 4 final graduates from the recent academy (not 5). The joint hiring system plus our own recruitment continue to be the source of candidates. The meeting adjourned at 5:17pm. Fire Commission – Fire Chief Update – July 13, 2016 FS 55  The Joint Fire Academy, Class #16, graduated eight Firefighter/Paramedics on June 25, 2016. San Rafael Corte Madera Sam Achondo Robert Craft Steven Coleman Marc Lehman Adam Lymath Larkspur - Billy Baldwin Matt Pagan Marinwood - Keith Larson  We will be starting another recruitment very soon to fill additional Firefighter vacancies.  We have initiated a promotional process for a new San Rafael Administrative Battalion Chief position that was added to the FY 2016/17 Budget. The primary emphasis of the long overdue position will cover EMS, Training and Safety.  Contract Negotiations with our employee groups continue and we are hopeful of a settlement very soon.  Progress continues with our Essential Facilities Project. Designs drawings are currently being finalized. San Rafael Heritage has launched an effort to preserve Fire Station 51. It’s unfortunate this effort is occurring now when we are so far along in the process and about to submit design drawing’s for plan review.  On June, 20, 2016, San Rafael and Marin County approved a new far reaching agreement regarding CSA 19 and FS 57. The agreement allows for 40 years of service and includes new provisions for increased compensation by the County annually for fire services from 1.6M to 1.8M; a lease agreement for land; cost share for the new FS 57 and an option to buy FS 53 for 1M to relocate the Marin County Tam Crew. New City/Marin County Agreement.  The City Budget was adopted and set of Draft Goals and Strategies are being reviewed by the City Council. The Draft Goals are attached along with a set of Accomplishments over the past year.  Jack Devlin from the San Rafael Fire Foundation and FC Gray will be traveling to Bellingham, WA on 7/13/2016, to review the used fire boat we have proposed purchasing from the San Juan Islands Fire Dept. We will be meeting with a Marine Surveyor and the San Juan Islands Fire Dept. Marine Officer to go over the boat. The vessel will be surveyed, receive a sea trial and be hauled out as a condition of the purchase by the Foundation. If everything goes well, we hope to have it transported sometime in early August. The boat will be outfitted and personnel will receive training before it goes into service out of Loch Lomond Marina. This will be a great service enhancement to the San Rafael Community and it would not be possible without the diligent efforts of the Fire Foundation, Fire Commission and Fire Department Members.  The department received a very favorable review and report from the Marin County Civil Grand Jury issued on June 16, 2016…“The 911 First Responder Referral Program More Than a Band-Aid For Senior.”  San Rafael has assumed administrative responsibility for the Marin County Hazardous Materials Response JPA. More information can be found here: Hazardous Materials Spills Management  This week we will be meeting with our neighboring Fire Chiefs to discuss extending our Shared Services Agreement to include all Central Marin Training Consortium (CMTC) Partner Agencies: San Rafael, Larkspur, Corte Madera, Marinwood and Kentfield. Currently, San Rafael has agreements with Larkspur and Marinwood and Larkspur has an agreement with Corte Madera. The CMTC was formed in 2009.  Health and wellness is critical for Firefighters and recently 24 of our members completed the Whole Life Challenge. The Whole Life Challenge is an 8-week online, community-building, habit-changing game (right) that challenges you and your friends and coworkers to create happier, healthier lives by making small, daily changes. Participants score points every day (if you remember to score and/or don’t accumulate negative points), focusing on 7 key areas of health and well-being: Nutrition, Exercise, Mobility, Sleep, Hydration, Lifestyle Practices, and Reflection. Terrific effort and results by our personnel.  At the next City Council meeting, we will be requesting approval to purchase new Wildland Personal Protective Gear. Thank you for your continued service and advocacy. Respectfully, Christopher Gray, Fire Chief