HomeMy WebLinkAboutFire Commission 2018-05-09 MinutesCITY OF SAN RAFAEL FIRE DEPARTMENT
FIRE COMMISSION MEETING
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
May 9, 2018
1600 Los Gamos Drive, Suite 345, San Rafael
The meeting was called to order at 4:02 PM by Commissioner Mizroch.
Present: Commission Chair Steve Mizroch, Vice Chair Larry Luckham, Commissioners:
Thompson, Weathers, Atieh, Fonkalsrud & Burford
SRFD Management: Fire Chief Gray, Deputy Chief Sinnott & Battalion Chief Rowan.
Guest: Linda Barnello - Rep. Marinwood
1. After Review: The minutes from the April 11, 2018 meeting were approved with NO
corrections
2. Chair Mizroch suggested a Commission group photo be scheduled for the June 13th
meeting -- brief discussion.
3. Chief Gray introduced Quinn Gardner, who started, 5/1/18, as the Department’s Emergency
Manager. The Chief summarized her background and accomplishments prior to joining the
SRFD. EM Gardner thanked the Chief and acknowledged her introduction to the
Commission.
The Chief announced that EM Gardner will assist with a May 23, 2018 County Coordinated
Earthquake Drill. Simulated events will be staged and response times collected. Data will be
developed for SRFD’s continued preparation for the “real event”.
4. Chair Mizroch offered opportunity for Public Comment, Linda Barnello [Marinwood] thanked
the Chief and SRFD for their continued support and collaboration with the Marinwood FD
especially the recent training activities in Guatemala.
5. San Rafael Fire Foundation, Commissioner Thompson reported that the proceeds from the
Terrapin Crossroads fund raiser had not yet been tallied and he would report back at the
6/13/18 Commission meeting. Brief discussion followed from those who attended the event
reporting strong support from the community.
6. San Rafael Fire Foundation report - Commissioner Thompson (see #5). Chair Mizroch added
a reminder of the up-coming baseball fund raiser.
[ “A Salute to Our Local Firefighters” presented by Alten Construction on Saturday July
14th. For $25.00 fans can buy a package including a GA game ticket, a unique “Firefighters
Night in Marin” t-shirt and have $10.00 donated to the San Rafael Fire Foundation.]
Chair and Commission Reports
7. Chair Mizroch opened with a discussion relating to a recent article: “Perspective from The
New England Journal of Medicine — Where There's Wildfire, There's Smoke.” What we
breath at or near a fire. Chief Gray added that the contents of burning buildings today differs by
magnitude the contents of buildings years ago. Electronics, chemicals synthetic materials all
CITY OF SAN RAFAEL FIRE DEPARTMENT
FIRE COMMISSION MEETING
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
May 9, 2018
1600 Los Gamos Drive, Suite 345, San Rafael
present new challenges to the fire fighter and public. SRFD even had distress calls requiring
Paramedic response from smoke generated by the Santa Rosa fires.
8. Vice Chair Luckham following the line of Unintended Consequences, referenced a book -
THE WATER WILL COME Rising Seas, Sinking Cities, and the Remaking of the Civilized World
by Jeff Goodell. VC/Luckham continued with a report on unattended vegetation growth in
eastern San Rafael [Bay Point - Spinnaker pathway] and the problems with homeless in the
area. Several attempts have been made to contact the owner and seek a remedy. VC/Luckham
presented Chief Gray with the department copy of the 2017 photo SRFD year-in-review book. [A
collection of on-scene photos taken throughout 2017 by Photo-50]
9. Commissioner Fonkalsrud reported on observing the “Goats”. A herd of 400 goats began
grazing the hills of Sleepy Hollow and Terra Linda to reduce wildfire fuels. The large-scale fuel
reduction project was initiated by Sleepy Hollow Fire Protection District (SHFPD), in cooperation
with Marin County Open Space District, FIRESafe MARIN, San Domenico School, Rocking H
Ranch, and Triple C Ranch. Goats will graze more than 140 acres of vegetation across private
and public lands to further reduce the risk of wildfire within the region over a three-month period.
A herder from Star Creek Land Stewards will set up temporary camps and allow goats to graze
specific areas within the 1,172-acre Terra Linda/Sleepy Hollow Open Space Preserve through
mid-May.
10. Fire Chief Gray Reported –
• Captain Randall Ainsworth successfully completed probation as a Captain. Kyle
Kleinschmidt was promoted to Engineer/Paramedic.
• Three new ambulances have also arrived and are going into service.
• The Wild Fire Symposium at Dominican University was attended by around 100/120 while
over 300 tuned into the internet/pod-cast of the event. Various social media platforms
were used to publicize the event to nearly 9,000 homes in the WUI areas of the
community.
• During a recent City Council meeting, there was a discussion of the current Paramedic tax
and suggested adjustments in the future. The tax revenues pay for not only the
ambulances and staff but upgrading the equipment and a continuing medical education
program conducted by two nurse/educators. A recent medical event at Albert Park (a
tennis player suffered cardiac arrest and was successfully resuscitated by bystanders, law
enforcement and fire medics) underscored the importance of civilians knowing CPR. The
individual was transferred by ambulance to Marin General, treated at the hospital and is
recovering.
• Sidewalk CPR and Stop the Bleed - June 9, 2018 organized by the Marin County EMS
System.
• Station 52 - The second floor is being poured - construction moving along well. The
Department is looking toward a September/October occupancy. SRFD will schedule a
future site tour for the Commission.
• Station 57 is slightly behind schedule due to complications with a needed storm drain and
some unexpected contaminated soil.
CITY OF SAN RAFAEL FIRE DEPARTMENT
FIRE COMMISSION MEETING
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
May 9, 2018
1600 Los Gamos Drive, Suite 345, San Rafael
• Public Safety Center [Station 51] foundation work continues - unexpected discovery of an
“old” fuel storage tank buried under what had been the location of the old Station 51.
• The City of San Rafael and the SRFD are establishing Goals and Objectives for an
upcoming county wide project regarding a program to reduce chronic return calls and over
use of the paramedic system. The goal is to identify new options for immediate care and
long-term changes to reduce repetitive care needs.
• Battalion Chief Rowan added that the hiring market is tight. Fewer applicants are
responding to job postings. On occasion, we have lost applicants after screening and after
training to a better offer form a different department. Cost of living and the cost of housing,
not only in Marin but regionally is an increasing concern.
11. The discussion was opened to the table and Linda Barnello added that the lack of
applicants to openings in Marinwood has brought up the concept of adding a level of volunteer
fire personnel. That furthered the discussion of costs for training - operational considerations
and reliability.
12. New Business - Chair Mizroch brought up the subject of rotating the assignment of
“keeping the minutes” and how a formal schedule would be of benefit. That brief discussion
brought about to Deputy Chief Sinnott offering to keep the minutes as a regular practice.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further Commission business, Chair Mizroch adjourned the meeting at 5:10 pm.