HomeMy WebLinkAboutFire Commission 2018-08-08 MinutesCITY OF SAN RAFAEL FIRE DEPARTMENT
FIRE COMMISSION MEETING
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
August 8, 2018
1600 Los Gamos Drive, Suite 345, San Rafael
The meeting was called to order at 4:02 p.m. by Commissioner Mizroch.
Present: Chair Stephen Mizroch, Vice Chair Larry Luckham, Commissioners: Leonard
Thompson, Thomas Weathers, and Stan Burford.
SRFD Staff: Deputy Chief Sinnott
Guest: Linda Barnello – Marinwood resident.
1. Open Time for Public Expression:
➢ Ms. Barnello wants to reaffirm the interagency cooperation between the staff of the San
Rafael and Marinwood Fire Departments. She cites the recent out of county mutual aid
strike team engines that in each case were a mix of San Rafael and Marinwood
firefighting personnel. She notes how remarkable it is to have our employees working so
well and effectively together. Ms. Barnello also noted that based on input she received at
the June 13, 2018 San Rafael Fire Commission meeting, she was able to help inform
and ultimately convince Marinwood CSD board members to redirect reasonable
amounts of Measure A funds towards important vegetation management efforts to
reduce the threat of wildfire to homes in the Marinwood community.
2. Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the June 13, 2018 meeting were approved with NO
corrections. M/S Luckham/Thomson. All Ayes.
3. Fire Foundation Report by Commissioner Thompson:
➢ Update on the December 8, 2018 Crab Feed. On the request made by Chair Mizroch for
Commissioners to help with the event, M/S Luckham/Burford for Commissioners to
assist with set up for the Crab Feed. All Ayes.
➢ Reported that the proceeds from the tee shirt sales at the Pacific’s A Salute to Our
Local Firefighters event held on July 14, 2018 provided to the Foundation was $900.
➢ Reported that Jackson’s Hardware Fire Foundation fundraiser is set for September 22,
2018.
4. Historic Subcommittee Report by Chair Mizroch:
➢ At the request of Chair Mizroch, staff provided a detailed report of the facilities projects –
PSC, STA 52 and STA 57.
➢ Chair Mizroch discussed the “wall of photos” gallery planned for the lobby of the PSC
and shared an article from 1915 of the Firemen’s Ball that will be digitally reproduced for
display. Noted that boxes of historical artifacts were recovered from the Vanning House
that can be sorted through. Commissioner Luckham noted the need to have a thorough
data base for all items that will be used for this display and will be working on this.
CITY OF SAN RAFAEL FIRE DEPARTMENT
FIRE COMMISSION MEETING
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
August 8, 2018
1600 Los Gamos Drive, Suite 345, San Rafael
5. Chair and Commission Member Reports:
❖ Chair Mizroch:
o Noted that he had provided his update as parts of the earlier agenda item
reports.
❖ Vice Chair Luckham:
o Shared an interesting photo of former Battalion Chief Jeff Buscher with the group
and discussed other photos, some of which can be used at the PSC wall of
photos.
❖ Commissioner Burford:
o Distributed copies of the August 6, 2018 San Francisco Chronicle graphic visual
display of the area burned by the devastating Northern California wildfires
compared to the size of the city of San Francisco. Suggests that the IJ consider
using a similar graphic comparing the burn areas of the Carr and Mendocino
Complex fires to the size of Marin County.
o Shared a photo of his former neighbor and SNR Fire Commissioner Mary Ellen
Irwin and 2008 Fire Commissioners.
▪ Shared a photo of Mary Ellen’s husband who is wearing a SNR Fire
Commission baseball cap.
❖ Commissioner Weathers:
o Asks if we could meet at Skywalker Ranch for a future meeting. Chair Mizroch
noted that Tom Forster was his contact at the Ranch but would still look at
whether this is possible.
❖ Commissioner Thompson:
o Summarized his fire agency’s role at the Mendocino Complex and Carr Fires.
6. Fire Chief Report: On behalf of the Fire Chief, staff discussed the following:
➢ Department’s participation in the August 7, 2018 National Night Out event.
➢ Summarized Out of County mutual aid activity at the Mendocino Complex fires.
➢ Reviewed ongoing efforts and accomplishments with vegetation management.
➢ Discussed the new Homeless Encampment initiative.
➢ Noted that Black Canyon and Mont Marin neighborhoods have attained Firewise USA
certification.
➢ Announced that the Department received a grant in the amount of $214,750 for firefighter
health and wellness programs.
➢ Reviewed the renovation plan for FS 54.
➢ Described the Department’s impressive new STA 52 training tower and classroom
complex and noted some of the key features.
➢ Noted that there is a current fire prevention focus on marinas and yacht harbors as there
have been two recent boat fires at the San Rafael Marina.
7. Adjournment: The Fire Commission adjourned the meeting at 5:02 p.m. The next meeting is
tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, September 12, 2018.