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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFire Commission 2015-11-18 Minutes  CITY OF SAN RAFAEL FIRE DEPARTMENT FIRE COMMISSION MEETING Minutes of the Regular Meeting November 18, 2015 Larkspur Fire Station, #16, 15 Barry Way Present Larry Luckham Carolyn Lenert Leonard Thompson Aaron Golbus Tom Weathers, Commissioner Alternate Absent Stephen Mizroch Personnel Assistant Chief Robert Sinnott Larkspur Fire Chief Hamilton The November 18, 2015 meeting of the San Rafael Fire Commission was called to order by Chair Luckham at 4:15pm at the Larkspur Fire Station #16. He called the meeting to order and asked for corrections to the minutes of the previous meeting. The approval of the minutes was moved, seconded and approved. 1. Commissioner Alternate Weathers began by reporting on his meeting with Maggie Lange regarding the CERT program conducted by the County of Marin. They discussed future funding, the possibility of nonprofit incorporation. 2. Commissioner Golbus was asked for an update regarding surplus boats (that could be converted to Department apparatus). He indicated that none have been identified as suitable, but noted that San Francisco Fire has acquired its third fireboat. 3. Commissioner Lenert mentioned that the vegetation management program in north San Rafael had completed removing juniper and other flammables from its 200th home, as reported to Chief Gray. The program is coordinated by volunteer Ray Lorber. Then she praised the Department’s program of connecting residents to needed social services. Ninety percent of call-outs are for medical/other issues, some of which need non-emergency resources. In the future, the program may be used by all Marin emergency services.   4. Commissioner Thompson reported on the San Rafael Fire Foundation fundraising efforts. 5. Commissioner Luckham mentioned, in Chair Mizroch’s absence, the remarkable medical story of a volunteer firefighter badly burned in a 2001 blaze has received the most extensive face transplant ever, covering his skull and much of his neck. He then reported on the Sonoma County officials study to reshape the future of the county's complex fire services network. According to a Press-Democrat story, an advisory group of fire agency leaders is poised to pick a plan aimed at modernizing and streamlining what many fire officials say is an antiquated network, relying on roughly three dozen agencies to serve areas outside city limits in the county. Then, he reported on the recent Bucharest, Romania Collective Nightclub fire tragedy caused by indoor/basement fireworks that resulted in 59 deaths (25 on site, 34 in hospitals) and injured 152. He urged Commissioners to speak out against indoor pyrotechnics at every opportunity. Also, since the last meeting of the Fire Commission, he worked as a trainer for The Yurok Tribe in partnership with The Nature Conservancy, Firestorm Inc., Yurok Forestry/Wildland Fire, the Cultural Fire Management Council, Northern California Indian Development Council and the U.S. Forest Service that were conducting a series of controlled burns designed to restore natural habitats, reduce hazardous forest accumulations and train wildland firefighters. The project’s intent is to conduct cultural restoration burns designed to help native basket weavers obtain weaving materials, begin restoring natural prairie openings and to create defensible space from future wildfires for local landowners. He then reported on the recent Extended Stay Hotel closet fire investigation where it appears that the lithium batteries of a discarded LED flashlight ignited a sanitizer wipe that had been used to clean the type of breathing apparatus used by construction workers. He urged everyone to remove all such batteries (and properly dispose of them) from power tools, lap tops and the like. 6. Chief Sinnott thanked Chief Hamilton for his attendance and the station hospitality today; and then referred the Commissioners to the attached update provided by Chief Gray who was attending a MERA meeting this afternoon. The public safety building process continues and he commented on the complexity of the process that includes re- location of Department services and administration. Commissioner Lenert commented that perhaps various County locations might temporarily serve in the interim. Chief Sinnott noted that the City/County contract related to Station 57 is expiring soon. In light of the heavy El Nino forecast, he announced that sand and sandbags are available for San Rafael residents with details on the Department website. Commissioner Golbus reminded the Commission that king tides are occurring next week and will affect Marin in various locations. Chief Sinnott concluded by sharing the consensus that the current Shared Services approach to “regionalization” has been well-received and is growing.   At 5:15pm, the Fire Commission adjourned.