HomeMy WebLinkAboutFire Commission 2018-01-10 MinutesCITY OF SAN RAFAEL FIRE DEPARTMENT
FIRE COMMISSION MEETING
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
January 10, 2018
1600 Los Gamos Drive, Suite 345
San Rafael, CA 94903
Present:
Chair Steve Mizroch Fire Chief Christopher Gray
Vice Chair Larry Luckham
Leonard Thompson
Thomas Weathers
Nadine Atieh
David Fonkalsrud, Alternate
Guests:
Cynthia Gray
Marinwood citizen Linda Barnello
Chair Mizroch called the meeting to order at 4:03 p.m.
I. Approval of Minutes:
Chair Mizroch asked for any additions or corrections to the minutes of the December 13,
2017 meeting. None were offered. Minutes were approved (Thompson moved/Luckham
seconded/unanimous vote).
II. Open Time for Public Expression:
Linda Barnello commented on and applauded the cooperation between the San Rafael
Fire Department and the Marinwood Fire Department. She said the shared services
agreement looks like it is going well.
Linda said ATT wants to lease the cell tower in Marinwood. Larry said cell tower service
on the training tower at Station 52 was removed when the tower was demolished.
Leonard suggested that Marinwood not take the first bid. He said Marinwood should
negotiate instead. Linda said Marinwood was not interested in a cell tower lease for
some unknown reason.
Vegetation Management Coordinator Marshall Nau introduced himself. He is trying to
enforce the vegetation ordinance around San Rafael. They remove junipers, clear open
space, and identify fire roads.
III. Fire Foundation:
Commissioner Leonard reported that the crab feed raised several thousands of
dollars to help the SRFD.
CITY OF SAN RAFAEL FIRE DEPARTMENT
FIRE COMMISSION MEETING
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
January 10, 2018
1600 Los Gamos Drive, Suite 345
San Rafael, CA 94903
IV. Historic Subcommittee:
No report.
V. Chair and Commission Member Reports:
A. Chair Mizroch said he wrote a letter to the San Rafael Fire Foundation to
thank them for the crab feed. Also, Steve and Larry took gifts to the stations for the
firefighters. Steve then discussed the flu and the impact it can have.
B. Vice Chair Luckham talked about a fire Marinwood asked him to investigate.
He was accompanied by a private fire investigator. There was a suggestion that the
sun’s reflection off a metal sink bowl may have ignited a box. It turns out the cause was
an electrical fire. He said there has been little Photo 50 activity this past month. He also
mentioned that he helped on a call to rescue a stranded boat at Loch Lomond.
C. Commissioner Thompson mentioned that Petaluma had its 160-year
celebration and there was a firefighters’ ball.
D. Commissioner Weathers commented on the articles in the IJ by Dick
Spotswood about wildfire preparedness.
E. Commissioner Atieh accepted a job as an accounting manager for the City of
San Rafael.
F. Alternate Commissioner Fonkalsrud asked about the SRFF crab feed results.
Chair Mizroch appointed David to be the SRFC liaison to the Latino Civic Leadership
Initiative Event which is an effort to get more Latinos to serve on boards and
commissions.
VI. Fire Chief Report:
Chief Gray reported about flooding and fires around the state. He said SRFD firefighters
had just returned home safely from the Southern California fires. He discussed an
ambulance purchase using paramedic money to buy the new ambulance. He said
Station 52 is coming along well. He also said construction has been started on Station
57. He reported that Marinwood Fire Department wants to meet and discuss options
with the San Rafael Fire Department to reduce service costs. The Marinwood Fire Chief
is retiring.
There was a general discussion about insurance companies hiring private firefighters to
protect their insureds. Chief Gray reported that SRFD is conducting outreach for wildfire
CITY OF SAN RAFAEL FIRE DEPARTMENT
FIRE COMMISSION MEETING
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
January 10, 2018
1600 Los Gamos Drive, Suite 345
San Rafael, CA 94903
preparedness. The SRFD has been visiting neighborhood associations to discuss
wildfire preparedness. The SRFD will also be involved in a general presentation with
other agencies about wildfire preparedness.
Chief Gray reported that the SRFD is hiring. There has been a high attrition rate due to
retirements and new hires not passing probation. There are four vacancies. He
discussed the challenges in recruiting and retaining good personnel. The SRFD is going
to a continuous process for candidates and will do its own written testing instead of
relying on state testing. There was also discussion about expanding the fire reserve
force program in Marinwood into San Rafael.
Chief Gray also discussed the para-medicine program as a cost-saving program. He
said it would reduce the serial users of the ER. He said the scope of the program will
expand and psychologists will participate with the SRFD. He said they might be able to
develop a service model for chronic inebriates who use services.
VII. Adjournment
Chair Mizroch asked if there was anything further from anyone, and there being noth ing
further, adjourned the meeting at 5:17 p.m.