HomeMy WebLinkAboutFire Commission 2020-01-08 Agenda PacketAGENDA
SAN RAFAEL FIRE COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
Fire Administrative Office
1600 Los Gamos Drive, Suite 345
San Rafael
Wednesday, January 8, 2020
4:00 P.M.
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 – December 11, 2019
Recommended Action: Amend and or approve as submitted.
3. Fire Foundation – Verbal Update from Appropriate Commissioner(s)
Recommended Action: Accept Verbal Report and take appropriate action.
4. Historic Subcommittee – Verbal Update from Appropriate Commissioner(s)
Recommended Action: Accept Verbal Report and take appropriate action.
5. Update on Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority
6. Chair and Commission Member Reports:
Dr. Stephen Mizroch – Chair
Larry Luckham – Vice Chair
Thomas Weathers - Absent
Nadine Hade
Elias Hill
David Fonkalsrud, Alternate
Stan Burford, Alternate
Informational only. No action to be taken on these items.
7. Fire Commission 2019 Annual Report and Goals for 2020
8. Social Media and Webpage
9. Status of Fire Chief Recruitment
10. Fire Chief Report
Informational only. No action to be taken.
11. Adjournment
Any records relating to an agenda item, received by a majority or more of the board or commission less than 72 hours before t he
meeting, shall be available for inspection at San Rafae l Fire Department’s Administrative Office, 1600 Los Gamos Drive, Suite 345. 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 availa ble
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 reques ted to
refrain from wearing scented products.
FIRE COMMISSION
ANNUAL REPORT, 2019
MISSION:
➢ To review and recommend concerning the future needs of the
fire department in respect to long-range capital needs, including
buildings, training facilities, and water mains and hydrant
replacements.
➢ To review the relationship of the fire department with other
governmental agencies and private entities concerning topics, which
the commission feels present a true and pressing need for the city’s
fire service.
➢ To review, comment and make recommendations regarding the
annual operating budget of the department.
➢ To recommend to the Fire Chief and the City Council action concerning
initial adoption and future amendments to the fire prevention code, the
building code, and other such ordinances that pertain to the prevention
of fires within the community.
➢ To receive monthly reports from the Fire Chief concerning the
general operations and functions of the department.
MEMBERSHIP:
• Dr. Stephen Mizroch, Chair Apr 01, 2018 to Mar 31, 2022
• Larry Luckham, Vice Chair Feb 19, 2019 to Mar 31, 2023
• Thomas Weathers Apr 01, 2016 to Mar 31, 2020
• Elias Hill Oct 07, 2019 to Mar 31, 2021
• Nadine Hade Apr 01, 2017 to Mar 31, 2021
• David Fonkalsrud, Alternate Apr 01, 2016 to Mar 31, 2020
• Stan Buford, Alternate Apr 01, 2018 to Mar 31, 2022
2019 HIGHLIGHTS:
This past year, several critical achievements have come to fruition:
• Capital improvements to Fire Stations across the San Rafael
• Maturity and adoption of the Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action
Plan for San Rafael and Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority for Marin
County
• Continued material support for the San Rafael Fire Foundation
• New Fire Station openings and several others approaching completion,
including the new Public Safety Center
• Participation in departmental milestones throughout the year, including
badge pinnings, promotions, retirements, and new firefighter graduation
ceremonies.
Other notable contributions by the members of the Fire Commission include:
• Commissioner Leonard “Len” Thompson continued to assist the San Rafael
Fire Foundation in planning and carrying out its fundraising activities
(including the 2018 Crabfeed). For the past 3 years, Len has served as Fire
Chief for the Petaluma Fire Department and for the last year Chief for the
Rancho Adobe Fire District. Prior, he served the Los Angeles Fire
Department for 35 years in several capacities, culminating in his role as
Chief Deputy of Operations and supervising Deputy Chiefs. He established
the San Rafael Fire Foundation as a 501(c)(3) in 2014. Due to Len’s
responsibilities with Petaluma and Rancho Adobe, he reluctantly stepped
down from the San Rafael Fire Commission in June 2019. We honor Len’s
commitment and contributions to our community and wish him well as he
focuses his much-needed attention to the City of Petaluma. Eli Hill was
appointed in October 2019 to complete his unexpired term through March
2021.
• Commissioners Steve Mizroch and Larry Luckham were appointed to the
San Rafael Wildfire Advisory Committee under the City Council’s ad hoc
Subcommittee for Wildfire Prevention, which includes Mayor Phillips and
Councilmember Bushey. The Committee convened its first meeting on June
19, 2019 and has endeavored to review and refine the Wildfire Prevention
and Protection Action Plan.
• Commissioner Stan Burford has made several public statements at San
Rafael City Council meetings in support of the Wildfire Prevention and
Protection Action Plan. He also contributed a new point to the plan:
“Prevent potential entrapments by requiring 2 gates in any fence in
designated areas” which would help assure that multiple escape routes
exist in the most vulnerable areas and provide ease of access for
firefighters.
• Larry Luckham continued to photographically document San Rafael Fire
Department events on The Photo 50 Project site, including Retirements at
Station 52, Move In Day at Station 52, Promotions at Station 52, and
Academy 19 Graduations at San Rafael City Hall. Additionally, Larry
continues to provide historic photographs and other materials to the new
fire stations in order to maintain the history of the Department for this
generation and those that will follow.
• Commissioner Tom Weathers is a highly regarded legal expert and he
continues to support the Fire Commission and Fire Foundation with his
expertise.
• Commissioner Nadine Hade provides fiscal guidance and expertise to the
Commission as well as participating in events in support of the San Rafael
Fire Department.
• Commissioner David Fonkalsrud provides strategic guidance around public
relations and community engagement as well as participating in events in
support of the San Rafael Fire Department.
• The proposed parcel tax to fund a $21M annual budget for the Marin
Wildfire Prevention Authority, driven by the tireless efforts of Chief Gray,
City Manager Schutz, and staff, has navigated approvals across agencies
such that the voters will consider it in the March 2020 ballot. At the San
Rafael City Council meeting on October 14, 2019, Stan Burford made a
public statement of unanimous support by the San Rafael Fire Commission
for approval of the resolution.
• In July, David Fonkalsrud, Steve Mizroch, and Americorp volunteers staffed
a booth with Quinn Gardner at the Marin County Fair to increase
awareness of FireSAFE matters and signed people up for the Marin Alert
system.
• With material support of the San Rafael Fire Foundation, the San Rafael Fire
Department acquired Fire Boat San Rafael which was christened on
November 11, 2019. Additionally, the Fire Foundation has committed to
subsidizing the cost of Class A uniforms for San Rafael Fire Department
personnel.
In closing, the San Rafael Fire Commission is an advocate for and an asset to the
Fire Department primarily because Chief Gray wholeheartedly supports,
encourages, and includes the Fire Commission in all Fire Department endeavors.
The Fire Commission would like to recognize Chief Gray and Deputy Chief Sinnott
for their deep commitment to the Fire Commission. Beyond taking the time to
attend every meeting, they inspire the Commission to prioritize the safety of our
community both now and in the future.
We will continue to ask the question, “How may we better serve the Fire
Department and the City of San Rafael?” We look forward to continuing to support
the San Rafael Fire Department and the wider community in the year ahead!
2020 GOALS:
➢ Act as a sounding board for the Fire Chief and Chief Officers via monthly
meetings.
➢ Continued education of Fire Commission members to goals, objectives &
operations on a monthly basis.
➢ Promote cooperation between the Fire Commission and San Rafael Fire
Foundation by mutual support during fund raising efforts.
➢ Participate in departmental ceremonies (badge pinning, promotions &
retirements).
➢ Support morale within the Department among its members.
➢ Participate in the grand opening of the Public Safety Center.
➢ Continue to advise and support the “Historical San Rafael Public Safety”
exhibit in the lobby of the Public Safety Center.
➢ Support the implementation of the Wildfire Action Plan and the
development of the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority.