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.