HomeMy WebLinkAboutFire Commission 2019-01-09 MinutesCITY OF SAN RAFAEL FIRE DEPARTMENT
FIRE COMMISSION MEETING
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
January 9, 2019
1600 Los Gamos Drive, Suite 345, San Rafael CA
1
The meeting was called to order at 4:03 p.m. by Commissioner Mizroch.
Present: Chair Stephen Mizroch and Vice Chair Larry Luckham. Commissioners:
Thomas Weathers, Nadine Hade, and Alternates Stan Burford and David Fonkalsrud.
Staff: Fire Chief Christopher Gray, Deputy Chief Bob Sinnott, and Battalion Chief Matt
Windrem.
Guests: Eli Hill and Linda Barnello
1.Open Time for Public Expression:
➢Ms. Barnello praised the San Rafael Fire Department for the effort put forth
applying for California Climate Investments Department of Forestry and Fire
Protection Fire Prevention Grant program.
2.Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the December 12, 2018 meeting were
approved with one minor correction. M/S to Approve Luckham/Fonkalsrud. All Ayes.
3.Fire Foundation Report by Chair Mizroch:
➢Chair Mizroch reported on the December 8, 2018 Crab Feed. There is an
estimated net revenue of $14,750. Turnout was slightly lower this year that in
2017. Crab expense was $1,500 less than last year. Special thanks to Bob
DeLambert and his family for all the support. Thanks to Foundation Chief Jack
Devlin for the hours of time and effort he invests in the fundraiser. Thanks to all
commissioners who showed up early in the afternoon to set up.
4.Historic Subcommittee: No report this month.
5.Chair and Commission Member Reports:
❖Chair Mizroch:
o Reported that in December, Commissioners Mizroch/Luckham visited all
fire stations and handed out gifts consisting of coffee and gift certificates.
o Reported on a recent NY Times article pertaining to Wildfire Risk.
❖Vice Chair Luckham:
o Reported on a tragic incident involving one of his low income rental
properties in Oakland where an occupant died as a result of a Christmas
tree fire.
❖ Commissioner Weathers:
o Reported that he was pleased to see that Governor Newsom held one of
his first press conferences in a fire station to report that wildfire prevention
will be a major focus of his administration.
CITY OF SAN RAFAEL FIRE DEPARTMENT
FIRE COMMISSION MEETING
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
January 8, 2019
1600 Los Gamos Drive, Suite 345, San Rafael CA
2
❖ Commissioner Fonkalsrud:
o Stated he would like to assist with future public outreach and fire
prevention messaging regarding the tragic holiday incident summarized
by Vice Chair Luckham.
❖ Commissioner Hade:
o Reported that she had attended a recent wildfire prevention meeting
which then enabled her to view her own property with a new and critical
eye. She observed several fire prone plantings that she plans to replace
with fire resistive plants.
o Noted her disappointment that many of the Paradise (Camp) fire victims
are unable to obtain Federal assistance at this time due to Federal
Government shutdown.
❖ Commissioner Burford:
o Noted the lack of Fire or Police articles or information in recent citywide
publication published by the Community Services Department.
6. Fire Chief Report: Chief Gray’s comments included the following points:
o Summary of the December 26, 2018 fire at 120 Larkspur Street
apartment complex.
o Summary of January 8, 2019 fire at 10 La Brea Way apartment complex.
o Stated that in the unfortunate incidents above, the incident commander
distributed SAVE cards to displaced residents that have $100 value.
o Noted that the region is in store for several days of wet weather in the
upcoming week.
o Discussed wildfire prevention efforts include the upcoming report that will
be provided to the City Council at the January 22, 2019 meeting. The
report contains 37 recommendations intended to bolster the City’s already
comprehensive wildfire safety ordinance.
o Discussed the Cal Fire grant that has been submitted. Special thanks to
EM Quinn Gardner and EMC David Catalinotto for their assistance with
the preparation of grant materials.
o Discussed the provision for the sunsetting of shake roofs in a 10-year
time frame as one of the proposals for consideration.
o Provisions to extend beyond existing WUI boundary to include entire city.
▪ Currently approximately 8,000 parcels WUI of the 28,000 total
residential parcels.
▪ All recommendations to be vetted from cost and other impacts.
▪ Still in a position of research, collaboration, and compromise.
o Summarized the December 11, 2018 incident involving T-54 into power
lines.
o Noted that BC Hatfield is overseeing both firefighter recruitment and
engineer promotional exam processes.
CITY OF SAN RAFAEL FIRE DEPARTMENT
FIRE COMMISSION MEETING
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
January 8, 2019
1600 Los Gamos Drive, Suite 345, San Rafael CA
3
o Summarized the January 8, 2019 Marinwood CSD board meeting
regarding the Chief’s presentation. Noted the upcoming January 10, 2019
Marinwood Fire Commission meeting.
o Noted great progress on the construction of fire station projects at PSC,
Station 52 and Station 57. Anticipates moving crews into Station 52 in
March-April 2019 and Station 57 June-July 2019.
BC Windrem comments:
o Thanked Commission for Holiday gifts distributed to station personnel.
o Noted that reserve ladder truck has been placed into service after
December 11, 2018 incident involving T54.
o Discussed PEER counseling. Dr. Mizroch inquired about chaplain
services. Staff reported that we do have access to chaplain services.
Adjournment: The Fire Commission meeting was adjourned at 5:15 p.m. The next
meeting is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, February 13, 2019.
Submitted,
Robert B. Sinnott, Deputy Chief