HomeMy WebLinkAboutFire Commission 2021-09-08 Agenda Packet
AGENDA
SAN RAFAEL FIRE COMMISSION
VIRTUAL MEETING
Wednesday, September 8 @ 4:00 P.M.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://tinyurl.com/FC-2021-09-08
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. 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.
2. Approval of Minutes – July 14, 2021 (August’s meeting was cancelled)
Recommended Action: Amend and or approve as submitted.
3. Fire Foundation – Verbal Update from Appropriate Commissioner(s)
Recommended Action: Accept Verbal Report and take appropriate act ion.
4. Historic Subcommittee – Verbal Update from Appropriate Commissioner(s)
Recommended Action: Accept Verbal Report and take appropriate action.
5. Chair and Commission Member Reports:
Dr. Stephen Mizroch – Chair
Larry Luckham – Vice Chair
Thomas Weathers
Nadine Hade
Ken Johnson
David Fonkalsrud, Alternate
Stan Burford, Alternate
Informational only. No action to be taken on these items.
6. Fire Chief Report – Battalion Chief Matt Windrem
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.
CITY OF SAN RAFAEL
FIRE COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
July 14, 2021 at 4:00 p.m.
Meeting Via Zoom
The meeting was called to order at 4:08 p.m. by Chair Mizroch.
Present: Chair Stephen Mizroch, Vice Chair Larry Luckham, Commissioner David Fonkalsrud,
Commissioner Stan Burford, Commissioner Ken Johnson
Special Guest: Mayor Kate Colin
Staff: Fire Chief Darin White
1. Open Time for Public Expression
No public comments.
2. Approval of Minutes
Commissioner Buford moved to adopt the revised minutes while Commissioner Fonkalsrud agreed.
The minutes were adopted unanimously.
Mayor’s Comments:
The Mayor wanted to discuss with the Fire Commission three initiatives she is pursuing in order to
achieve greater resident engagement and an increase in government transparency. She envisions the
importance of bringing in voices from the community and works to ensure that all voices are heard in
all aspects of local government. The three initiatives are as follows:
#1 Tools at our disposal i.e. Twitter, NextDoor, and online search engines, can be utilized in order to
achieve more efficient communication.
#2 Community conversation is Mayor Colin's second initiative for the City of San Rafael so that
everyone may feel more connected.
#3 Spectrum sharing is of essence to the City of San Rafael not only across government, but also
commercial users. While this is only a vision, this vision will be brought to the attention of the
commission so that it may become a reality.
#4 Lastly, Mayor Colin wants to further enrich board member's experience as well as educate them
further. This initiative will be made possible via an improvement in community engagement.
3. Fire Foundation
Annual Crab Feed & Silent Auction – December 11th, 2021 – this event will raise funds for the Fire
Department
Investigate what other Fire Agencies are doing for Cancer Screening – Commissioner Johnson
volunteered his access to Gallagher Insurance Brokers Public Entity Division as well as Gallagher/FAIRA -
the largest Joint Powers Authority (JPA). This action will provide insurance and Risk Management
guidelines tailored to meet the specific needs of the Fire and Emergency Service Agencies.
4. Historic Subcommittee
The Police Department wants to share their display space with the Fire Department. Harry Barbier who
served as a police officer for the San Rafael Police Department for 35 years, has a significant amount of
memorabilia and might be able to assist in sharing.
SFPD is considering putting a Police Motorcycle in the Public Access area, the only question attached to
this concern is what the Fire Department intends to do with this space.
Also, Commissioner Burford suggested a digital indoor kiosk with history about the fire department,
which features department member commentary and a recruitment video. The Marin History Museum
serves as extra space to install a kiosk which will portray even more Fire Dept. history.
The timing of the Opening for the Public Safety Center is April 2022, Chief White was told May 2022.
5.) Commissioners’ Report
Commissioner Fonkalsrud and Commissioner Burford's comments below:
Commissioner Fonkalsrud- "In regards to Seasonal Inspections, I met Simon Wright and Maddy Chapman
who serve as strong resources. Our social media presence seems to be up to date which is promising."
Commission Burford- Met with Maddy Chapman & Simon Wright to retrieve his marching order to
eradicate the Bamboo in the city as well as remove needles from his roofing, and remove Juniper trees.
All property owners in San Rafael, both public and private, will be required to remove all juniper,
bamboo, acacia, and Italian cypress from their property.
6. Fire Chief’s Report
Training and Evaluation of the Fire Safe Folks continues and usually the goal is 99.9% compliance from
residents. When necessary for vegetation management, legal involvement can be utilized. The Firewise
USA Program encourages local solutions for safety by involving homeowners in taking individual
responsibility for preparing their homes from the risk of wildfire.
https://www.firesafemarin.org/firewise
Incidents:
On June 25, 2021, San Rafael firefighters responded to the first block of Bonnie Banks Way in Loch
Lomond. Several callers reported thick smoke rising from the home. Upon arrival, firefighters found
the attic of the single story ranch home fully involved in flames. It took firefighters approximately 30
minutes to extinguish the fire. A resident had been cooking at the time and had a large pot of oil on
the stove when the oil overheated and caught fire. The flames extended up the exhaust flue into the
attic. Fortunately, the kitchen and surrounding rooms incurred minimal damage.
On June 14, 2021, San Rafael firefighters responded to the 300 block of G Street for a fire in a three-
level Victorian containing 4 apartment units. The fire appeared to have started in a garage space and
traveled through the walls, affecting other areas of the building. Fortunately, there were no injuries;
however, the fire and smoke damage rendered the building uninhabitable. The Red Cross provided
assistance to those displaced.
Recruit Academy Class #23 began on June 10, 2021 with six (6) new firefighter/paramedic recruits:
a) One has come over from Central San Rafael
b) One is currently nursing an injury
c) The Chief has opened a new recruitment applicant orientation
d) Captain Nick Giusti is running the new recruit class
Chief White has reached out to the San Rafael Third Party Administrator (TPA) for a list of claims to
determine how/when/why the injuries are taking place.
PG&E will be working on Las Gallinas for replacement of gas pipes.
Rotating Power shutdowns are not considered to be PSPS Events. During a Public Safety Power Shutoff
(PSPS), power cannot be rotated because the outage is specific to lines running through areas
experiencing gusty winds and dry conditions. Rotating block outages are implemented when there is
not enough power generation to meet demand and can be done geographically, as required by CAISO.
As of June 15, 2021, the Governor terminated the executive orders that put into place the Stay Home
Order and the Blueprint for a Safer Economy. He also phased out the vast majority of executive actions
put in place since March 2020 as part of the pandemic response, leaving a subset of provisions that
facilitate the ongoing recovery.
The new public health order effective June 15 supersedes all prior health orders. The order has limited
restrictions related to: masking and mega-events, settings serving children and youth, and a pending
update to the K-12 schools guidance by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Additionally, masks are required for unvaccinated individuals in indoor public settings and businesses
(examples: retail, restaurants, theaters, family entertainment centers, meetings, state and local
government offices serving the public).
California extend the state’s eviction moratorium through September 30, 2021 and clear rent debt for
low-income Californians that have suffered economic hardship due to the pandemic.
Promotional Event was held at Station 52
June 11th celebrated the life of Joe Vasco at Most Holy Rosary Chapel at St. Vincent’s School for Boys.
2021 AAU WEST COAST NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP included San Rafael athlete Ellie McCuskey wining
the (girls 14) 100m Final and the 200 m Final. Ms. McCuskey is very fast and rising track star, with
supportive parents.
The meeting adjourned at 5:08 p.m.