HomeMy WebLinkAboutFire Commission 2019-04-10 MinutesCITY OF SAN RAFAEL FIRE DEPARTMENT
FIRE COMMISSION MEETING
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
April 10, 2019
1600 Los Gamos Drive, Suite 345, San Rafael CA
1
The meeting was called to order at 4:02 p.m. by Commissioner Mizroch.
Present: Chair Stephen Mizroch, Vice Chair Larry Luckham and Alternates Stan Burford and
David Fonkalsrud.
Staff: Deputy Chief Bob Sinnott and Battalion Chief Jason Hatfield
1. Open Time for Public Expression:
➢ None
2. Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the January 9, 2019 meeting were approved with
one correction. M/S to Approve Burford/Fonkalsrud. All Ayes
3. Delegation of Assignments by Fire Chief Gray: At this time, Chair Mizroch with the consent
of the attending Commission members deviated from the agenda to address important
direction from the Fire Chief. Chair Mizroch stated that the Fire Chief is seeking the Board’s
support and assistance with the following initiatives:
a. Participation at Grand Opening Ceremony of New Fire Station 52 on Monday, May
13, 2019 at 5 pm.
b. Attendance at May 4, 2019 Wildfire Forum at the Embassy Suites on Saturday, May
4, 2019 at 10 am.
c. Support to the Department’s Emergency Manager for upcoming work crew from the
National Civilian Community Corps.
d. Assistance with Hot Shot articles pertaining to items of general interest in the areas
of fire prevention and disaster preparedness.
e. Assistance with wildfire education and coordination.
f. Support of the City’s robust CERT program.
g. Support of local and countywide efforts towards wildfire protection and prevention
campaigns.
h. Be knowledgeable and be able to discuss San Rafael’s Wildfire Prevention and
Protection Action Plan.
Chair Mizroch advised he would contact other Commissioners about these tasks.
4. Fire Chief’s Report. DC Sinnott and BC Hatfield provided the report prepared by FC Gray.
Comments included:
a. Regarding the Wildfire Action Plan, a tax in the $100-$200 ranges is being discussed
to fund various wildfire needs such as:
i. Fuel reduction.
CITY OF SAN RAFAEL FIRE DEPARTMENT
FIRE COMMISSION MEETING
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
April 10, 2019
1600 Los Gamos Drive, Suite 345, San Rafael CA
2
ii. Defensible space.
iii. Wildfire safety and fire safe landscape education.
b. Budget Update for FY 19/20 Reductions were requested in the general fund
by all depts to assist in balancing the budget for next year. For Fire, a 5%
operating budget reduction was mandated.
c. Paramedic Tax rate will remain at $95 for FY 19/20.
i. San Rafael: $95 with $108 max.
ii. CSA 19: $95 with $95 max.
iii. CSA 13: $95 with $95 max.
iv. Marinwood: $85 with $85 max.
v. Voter approved action is necessary to raise the max rate with the CSA’s and
Marinwood.
d. The Biennial Residential Citizen Satisfaction Survey was recently completed. Once
again and for the past 12 years, Fire and Paramedic services remain highest in
citizen satisfaction followed this year by Public Library services. One thing that has
changed with the surveys is that most were completed via text and a mobile device.
e. We are going to be replacing/upgrading 45+ AED’s assigned to City Staff and City
Buildings
f. Fire Station Project Status:
i. FS 52 Grand Opening is scheduled opening on May 13th. We hope to occupy
the station during the week of April 13th. Very grateful for this moment in
history.
ii. Training and punch list going on now
iii. FS 57 July or August 2019
iv. FS 51/PSC Spring 2020
v. FS 54 Going to City Council soon on renovation plan and agreement with
Architect
vi. FS 55 Going to City Council soon on renovation plan and agreement with
Architect
g. We are going to be replacing/upgrading 45+ AED’s assigned to City Staff and City
Buildings
h. Retirements of BC Rowan, Capt. Ground, Capt. MacAusland and FF/PM Donohue
took place on 3/29/2019. The four senior members of the department represented
127 years of dedicated service to San Rafael. A well-attended retirement luncheon
was held in their honor at new 52 on March 29th. We wish them good health and
happiness in retirement.
i. We recently completed a fire captain promotional process for the Marinwood Fire
Department.
CITY OF SAN RAFAEL FIRE DEPARTMENT
FIRE COMMISSION MEETING
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
April 10, 2019
1600 Los Gamos Drive, Suite 345, San Rafael CA
3
j. A Fire Engineer’s test is coming up in May. This will be a joint test with Marinwood
for the first time in history.
k. We are presently conducting a firefighter recruitment anticipating hiring 4-7 recruits
with Marinwood.
l. Both our vegetation management inspectors have resigned to take on new full-time
posts in nearby agencies.
m. We anticipate the ladder truck to be returned to service by June 2019.
n. A new Type 1 and Type 6 engine have been ordered. BC Hatfield described the
characteristics of a Type 6 vehicle.
o. We are in the preliminary phases of acquiring Fireboat Liberty from the Southern
Marin Fire District.
5. Final Comments
a. Commissioner Burford shared with the group his new email address.
b. Commission Fonkalsrud praised the work of firefighters at a recent structure fire on
McNear Drive. BC Hatfield provided a recap of the incident for the commissioners.
c. Commissioners hope that once STA 52 is open, we can hold a commission meeting
at that location; same with STA 57 after it is opened.
Adjournment: The Fire Commission meeting was adjourned at 5:05 p.m. The next meeting is
tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, May 8, 2019.
Submitted,
Robert B. Sinnott, Deputy Chief