Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutFire Commission 2021-07-14 Agenda Packet AGENDA SAN RAFAEL FIRE COMMISSION VIRTUAL MEETING Wednesday, July 14 @ 4:00 P.M. Please click the link below to join the webinar: https://tinyurl.com/FC-2021-07-14 Telephone: (669) 900-9128 ID: 848 3223 7245 Zoom link to follow for Commissioners and Staff only Members of the Public May Speak on Agenda Items 1. Mayor Kate Colin – Introduction and Update on Evolution of the City’s Resident Engagement and Outreach 2. Open Time for Public Expression The public is welcome to address the Fire Commission at this time on matters not on the agenda that are within its jurisdiction. Please be advised that pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2, the Fire Commission is not permitted to discuss or take action on any matter not on the agenda unless it determines that an emergency exists, or that there is a need to take immediate action which arose following posting of the agenda. Comments may be no longer than two minutes and should be respectful to the community. 3. Approval of Minutes – May 12, 2021 (June’s meeting was cancelled) Recommended Action: Amend and or approve as submitted. 4. Fire Foundation – Verbal Update from Appropriate Commissioner(s) Recommended Action: Accept Verbal Report and take appropriate act ion. 5. Historic Subcommittee – Verbal Update from Appropriate Commissioner(s) Recommended Action: Accept Verbal Report and take appropriate action. 6. Chair and Commission Member Reports: Dr. Stephen Mizroch – Chair Larry Luckham – Vice Chair Thomas Weathers absent Nadine Hade Ken Johnson David Fonkalsrud, Alternate Stan Burford, Alternate Informational only. No action to be taken on these items. 7. Fire Chief Report Informational only. No action to be taken. Any records relating to an agenda item, received by a majority or more of the board or commission less than 72 hours before the meeting, shall be available for inspection at San Rafael Fire Department’s Administrative Office, 1375 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael, CA. Sign Language interpreters and assistive listening devices may be requested by calling (415) 485-3066 (voice), emailing Lindsay.lara@cityofsanrafael.org or using the California Telecommunications Relay Service by dialing “711”, at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting. Copies of documents are available in accessible formats upon request. Public transportation is available through Golden Gate Transit, Line 22 or 23. Paratransit is available by calling Whistlestop. Wheels at (415) 454-0964. To allow individuals with environmental illness or multiple chemical sensitivity to attend the meeting/hearing, individuals are requested to refrain from wearing scented products. SAN RAFAEL FIRE COMMISSION ZOOM MEETING MINUTES MAY 12, 2021 The Zoom meeting was called to order by Dr. Mizroch at 4:07pm. Members present: Chief White, Steve Mizroch, Stan Burford, Tom Weathers, Dave Fonkalsrud, and Nadine Hade. Absent: Larry Luckham Open Time for Public Expression: No Comments Approval of March Minutes: Approved without correction or additions. Fire Foundation Report: 1. Treasury: unchanged from March 2. Annual Crab Feed planned for Dec. 11, 2021. While preparations commence in July, a final decision on the Crab Feed (primarily resting on COVID regulations) will be made by Labor Day. Public Safety Building Historical Display: As seen in the Department’s more recent online “Hot Shot News”, Commissioner Mizroch presented two 19th century SRFD leather fire buckets to Chief White to add to the Department’s Historical Display. Though P.S.C. access restrictions have delayed implementation of lobby exhibits, it is hoped that they will be available later this year. Fire Commissioner Reports: Dr. Mizroch spoke about a novel cancer detection program that BC Hatfield & Chief White have considered for the Department. The program uses trained dogs to sniff out cancer. Since cancer is one of the leading causes of death for firefighters nationwide, a good screening test could be valuable. The dog sniffing program uses the remarkable canine smelling ability (10,000 – 100,000 times more acute than humans) to uncover occult cancers. The science of “volatile organic compounds” underpins this theory of detection. Stan Burford noted that Pine Street Clinic in San Anselmo helps train dogs to detect cancer. A dog detecting possible cancer program at So. Marin Fire was described & challenges related to false positives was discussed. More work is planned to help our firefighters protect against cancer risks. Tom Weathers inquired about the May 10, 2021 City Council interviews to fill the seat of Fire Commissioner Eli Hill. Dr. Mizroch opined that the City Council limit of two terms for Commissioners does not count “Alternate” time for this metric. Chief White endorsed this interpretation. Nadine Hade described the advantage of the Pulse Point app during a recent fire. On May 10th, smoke was wafting through the city in the evening and Pulse Point noted it to be related to the Shoreline Parkway fire. Dave Fonkalsrud referred to a Marin IJ article on March 22, 2021 which described a Mill Valley request to Google programmers to simulate a fire in Mill Valley and map evacuation route time frames (including traffic congestion) in order to prepare for a major fire…analogous to the challenges of the Camp Fire in Paradise, CA. Chief White reference Quinn Gardner’s work for San Rafael & Marin County in proposing best evacuation routes should a major fire occur. The Commission requested a “Highlight” update at a future meeting. Fire Chief’s Report: Chief White gave a comprehensive report on recent Department activity, highlighting the robust enhancement of Wildfire Fire Inspections through funding by the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority. There are currently nine Fire Inspectors. This number will be augmented in the coming months with the expectation of 100% parcel inspection by the end of the year. There was a philosophical discussion of the approach to “Inspections”. We expect a heavy emphasis on “Education & Collaboration” rather than “Rules/Regulations/Code Enforcement”. Fire Safe Marin is beginning Chipper Days on May 17, 2021. Residents can use the service twice between 5/17 and 9/27/2021. Register online at “firesafemarin.org/chipperdays.” Vegetation grants of $500-$1,000 are proposed for homeowners later this year. Chief Chris Gray has returned part-time to SRFD to assist with special projects. Chief White described a County study of “witnessed cardiac events” that showed SRFD performing at an exemplary level. The fire on Shoreline Parkway on May 10th caused 6-10 acres of grassland to burn. San Rafael along with Mutual Aid from multiple agencies fully controlled the burn before structures were threatened. Chief White visited retired SRF Fire Captain John Diego on his 100th birthday recently. On a very sad note, Engineer Joe Vasco died recently and memorial gatherings were held throughout the Fire Department. Our next meeting will be on Zoom on June 9, 2021. We have to meet in person in July!! The meeting was adjourned at 5:15pm.