HomeMy WebLinkAboutFire Commission 2020-12-09 Minutes
CITY OF SAN RAFAEL
FIRE DEPARTMENT FIRE COMMISSION MEETING
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
December 9, 2020
Meeting via Zoom
The meeting was called to order at 4:02p.m. by Chair Mizroch.
Present: Chair Stephen Mizroch, Vice Chair Larry Luckham, Nadine Hade, Eli Hill, Thomas Weathers,
David Fonkalsrud, and Stan Burford.
Staff: Chief Darin White
1. Approval of Minutes: M/S Luckham/Burford to approve the minutes from the November 12, 2020 Fire
Commission meeting.
• Chair Mizroch: Aye
• Vice Chair Luckham: Aye
• Commissioner Weathers: Aye
• Commissioner Hade: Aye
• Commissioner Hill: Aye
• Commissioner Burford: Aye
2. Open Time for Public Expression: None.
3. Fire Foundation Report. $43,543: Includes this season’s fundraising of $20,821, which will be matched
by Jeff Craemer. The Foundation provided Thanksgiving dinner to two vegetation management crews.
4. Historic Subcommittee: Chair Mizroch acquired two unnamed historic items related to the San Rafael
Fire Department via eBay; will disclose later.
5. Commissioner Reports: The commissioners provided their reports.
• Vice Chair Luckham: Provided comments on the volunteer firefighters in the City of La Crucecita
in Mexico.
• Commissioner Weathers: Provided comments on current work to help resolve jurisdictional
issues for fire response for Native American reservations.
• Commissioner Hade: Offered gratitude to the public safety employees and firefighters for their
service during the pandemic.
• Commissioner Hill: Provided comments on importance of maintaining residential smoke and
carbon monoxide alarms and recognized Commissioner Hade for managing City of San Rafael
finances through the pandemic.
• Commissioner Fonkalsrud: Indicated intention to engage with Quinn Gardner and David
Catalinotto.
• Commissioner Burford: Proposed to recognize outgoing Mayor Gary Phillips, outgoing Police
Chief Diana Bishop, and incoming Mayor Kate Colin.
6. Fire Chief’s Report: Chief White provided verbal report spanning several topics, including:
• Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority (MWPA)
o Northern California Council for the Community (NCCC) crews who were focused on open
spaces and create defensible space for homeowners will be departing soon
o New crew will be joining after a period of quarantine through beginning of March 2021
o Fire Safe Marin Chipper Days ended recently; discussed consideration for acquiring a
City-owned chipper
o Shared before and after photos of AmeriCorps vegetation management at a residence
• COVID-19
o Discussed COVID-19 transmission, promoted mitigations for greetings, reinforced mask
wearing, and cleaning measures.
o Discussed COVID-19 vaccine distribution.
• Incidents
o Cyclist rescued using transportation device provided to the department by Fire
Foundation
o High speed collision resulted in injuries and power outage
o Structure fire in a mobile home; smoke and carbon monoxide alarms were not
functioning due to dead batteries
• Hiring
o Secured six vegetation management specialists as contractors year-round
o Recognized Sean Rule, who is leaving the department at the end of December
• Discussion
o Nadine inquired about responsibility for tree management; Chief White provided
comments about responsibility among PG&E, property owner, and the City.
Chair Mizroch thanked the Commission for their service this year.
Adjournment: The Fire Commission meeting was adjourned at 4:59 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled
for Wednesday, January 13, 2020.
Submitted,
Eli Hill, Fire Commission