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Home My WebLink AboutFire Commission 2015-08-12 MinutesCITY OF SAN RAFAEL FIRE DEPARTMENT FIRE COMMISSION MEETING Minutes of the Regular Meeting August 12, 2015 Fire Station 56 – 650 Del Ganado Road PRESENT Commissioners Chair Stephen Mizroch Larry Luckham Carolyn Lenert Leonard Thompson Tom Weathers, Commissioner Alternate ABSENT Aaron Golbus PERSONNEL Chief Chris Gray Deputy Fire Chief Robert Sinnott Battalion Chief Jeff Rowan PUBLIC Lori Schifrin joined the meeting at 4:20pm The August 12, 2015 meeting of the San Rafael Fire Commission was called to order by Chair Mizroch 4:03pm. At the request of Chair Mizroch, each of the firefighters and officers present introduced themselves. Chair Mizroch reported on three articles: an historical account of the Fire Commission from a 1969 Independent Journal issue, and two New England Journal of Medicine reports: CPR outcomes, and a report on an cell phone app re CPR. Commissioner Luckham reported on Fire Marshal activity in Hayward on a inspection report regarding access, address display, fire extinguishers, general housekeeping, refuse, laundry rooms, proper utilities labelling. The cost was $843.00 and involved a carbonless copy report and onsite visit of only 5-10 minutes. Commissioner Luckham reminded commissioners about California Proposition 218, a 1996 constitutional amendment that requires that fees must be proportionate to the services rendered. Commissioner Lenert had no specific report. Commissioner Thompson reminded the Commissioners about the San Rafael Fire Foundation fundraising events on Saturday September 12th, the 2015 downtown wine stroll; and on December 19th, a crab feed at the B Street Community Center ($55/per person all you can eat). Volunteers will be welcomed and appreciated. Commissioner Alternate Weathers indicated his continued interest in a Citizen’s Fire Academy as a joint Fire Commission project. Chair Mizroch and he indicated they would prepare a proposal that includes content, delivery, funding, etc. Chief Gray/Chief Rowan indicated that Engineer Shubin had years of experience with Summer Camp held at Pickleweed with good success. Chief Gray mentioned the SRFD program in all kindergarten and 5th grade classes. Chief’s Report. See attached. Visitor Lori Schifrin inquired about the City process for dead/dangerous tree trimming and/or removal and a specific request which was addressed and follow-up to occur. At 5:23pm, the Fire Commission was adjourned by Chair Mizroch. San Rafael Fire Commission - Fire Chief Update August 12, 2015  Wildfire losses in California and the Western U.S. continue to be extraordinary and are responsible for a 2nd FF death. We currently have (6) San Rafael personnel on the fire- line “Out of County” (4) E52 (1) BC (1) E658. (4) Personnel on OES 358 returned on Saturday. It’s far from over and more hot weather is on its way.  The Essential Facility Strategic Plan was unanimously adopted by the City Council on 7/20/2015. This plan is the most significant capital improvement campaign in the City’s history. Next steps involve hiring an Architect and Project Manager. We hope to have a recommendation to City Council for their 9/7/15 m eeting.  WUI Inspection effort update. Education, inspection, chipper involvement, goats (moving to Peacock Gap area on 8/11) and enforcement. Increased presence by fire company personnel with vegetation management. Loch Lomond example is really helping. Still working on hiring a new Veg Mgmt. Specialist. We have an excellent candidate completing an evaluation with us on 8/12.  Jim Schutz is our new City Manager effective August 1st. Cristine Alilovich from Marin County has been appointed as our new Assistant City Manager. Cristine starts September 8, 2015.  Oral boards for new FF/PM’s are scheduled for August 13-14, 2015. Hope to hire at least five and host a Fire Academy in Fall that will likely involve a Marinwood Firefighter as well.  FF/PM Kyle Kleinschmidt was reinstated after a nine month absence on July 30, 2015 and is now working at FS 52-A with Capt. Hatfield. Kyle is working out well.  Steve Rupnow, Fire Inspector, has resigned to accept a similar position with Contra Costa County Fire. Steve intends to start in Contra Costa on September 1, 2015. We wish him the best and are preparing a recruitment to fill both a Fire Prevention Inspector vacancy along with the Deputy Fire Mars hal.  The renewal and extension of our Fire Services Agreement and Lease with Marin County regarding CSA 19 and FS 57 continues to move forward. Our initial formal meeting with the County is scheduled later this month. Our lead negotiator is City Attorney Rob Epstein.  San Rafael is now utilizing GovDelivery as the primary path to transmit informational documents to elected officials, staff and citizens via email, mobile, social media and the web. It’s better way of distributing information while expanding readership and distribution channels for public info., notices, and our Bi- Weekly Report. The Bi-Weekly will soon be reformatted and given a new look so that it fits with other City publications. Besides appearance and format, the document will reach a much wider audience once GovDelivery is launched.  John Bruckbauer is finalizing a Federal grant application for $75k worth of assistance with the required development of a City Hazard Mitigation Plan.  We are working on the delivery of some basic train safety related information over the next several months that we can relay to the public.  Shared Services continue to work well.  New Truck 54 is still being finished with equipment mounting and fabrication in Sacramento. We hope to have it home before Sept. 1st.  SRPD and SRFD have scheduled training to allow for the use of the SRPD’s 22’ Rescue Boat.  Fire Prevention/new construction activity continues at a rapid pace with more projects in the pipeline. Thank you for your continued outstanding public service, it is valued and appreciated. Respectfully, Christopher R. Gray, Fire Chief San Rafael Fire Department