HomeMy WebLinkAboutFire Commission 2022-04-13 Agenda Packet
AGENDA
SAN RAFAEL FIRE COMMISSION
VIRTUAL ZOOM MEETING
Wednesday, April 13 @ 4:00 P.M.
Watch on Webinar: https://tinyurl.com/fc-2022-04-13
Webinar ID: 834 4150 6482
Passcode: 524324
Listen by phone: +1 669 900 6833
Link to follow via Zoom email for Fire Commissioners 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 – March 9, 2022
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:
Larry Luckham – Chair
Thomas Weathers
Nadine Hade
Ken Johnson
David Fonkalsrud, Alternate
Stan Burford
Donna McCusker, Alternate
Informational only. No action to be taken on these items.
6. 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.
CITY OF SAN RAFAEL FIRE DEPARTMENT
FIRE COMMISSION MEETING
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
March 9, 2022
VIA ZOOM
Present: Absent:
Chair Steve Mizroch None
Vice Chair Larry Luckham
Nadine Atieh
Thomas Weathers
Ken Johnson
David Fonkalsrud, Alternate
Stan Burford, Alternate
Fire Chief Darin White
Chair Mizroch called the meeting to order at 4:04 p.m.
1. OPEN TIME FOR PUBLIC EXPRESSION
None.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – February 9, 2022
Commissioner Luckham pointed out at the end of the meeting we had skipped Approval
of the Minutes in the beginning of the meeting. Commissioner Luckham moved to
approve; Commissioner Burford seconded; approved unanimously
3. FIRE FOUNDATION
Chair Mizroch reported the fire Foundation would donate $2,500 to Firefighters without
Borders, led by San Rafael FF/PM Angel Landaverde, as they will be deploying in early
April to Guatemala to train local firefighters on fire suppression, ladders, extrication and
more. Total in account is approximately $96,000.
There is research underway for the purchase of an audio system for Station 52 so those
in attendance of meetings can hear clearly.
In April, there will be a decision made on the delivery of Breakfast to the San Rafael Fire
Stations (18 Bags for 18 Shifts) at approximately $50 to $60 per bag.
4. HISTORIC SUBCOMMITTEE
Chair Mizroch had nothing to report.
5. CHAIR AND COMMISSION MEMBER REPORTS
Note: This meeting was the last meeting with Dr. Steve Mizroch as Chairperson. Doctor
Mizroch a resident of San Rafael since 1979, highly regarded practitioner Internal
Medicine and Geriatrics at Kaiser San Rafael for over 30 years and a long time
member/Chair of the San Rafael Fire Commission.
Commissioner Luckham – With the utmost respect congratulated Steve for a term well
served and thanked him for his service.
Commissioner Weathers – Congratulated Dr. Mizroch on his term as Chairperson.
Proposed a resolution for the San Rafael Fire Commission to issue a position statement
advocating for the mandatory vaccination of all fire and EMS personnel against the
COVID-19 virus by an FDA approved COVID-19 vaccine.
Chairperson Mizroch – supported engaging the entire membership of the Commission
in a discussion and backed Commission Weathers for bringing forth the topic.
Fire Chief White - commented that the County Wide Mandate is what must be followed
without exception: https://coronavirus.marinhhs.org/020922-
FirstResponderVaccinations#:~:text=Effective%20April%2015%2C%202022%2C%20all,e.
Chief White provided and excellent breakdown of the challenges associated with this
issue. Specifically, he discussed the conflict of when someone is responsible for the
safety of the public, yet they could pose a threat to the same public they are serv ing.
This decision is the Fire personnel’s right to privacy under the California Constitution. It
was Chief White’s recommendation the San Rafael Fire Commission stay away from
this controversial topic.
Chief White’s logical analysis continued by addressing the potential of another stronger
more deadly variant developing in the future, at that point the SRFD would be “playing
catchup”. Other concerns are the fear of the unknown and re ligious convictions of the
FF/EMS, which could render the Fire Commission in direct confrontation with the fire
department. He mentioned this concern is a small percentage of the workforce and the
County will make the appropriate decision. He concluded with “going forward in order to
become a San Rafael firefighter, a person must be vaccinated”.
Commissioner Luckham: - Outlined this topic is personal, involves labor and
management, and has become political. The San Rafael Fire Commission has no
medical experience (other than Dr. Mizroch). We are not a political enterprise and
should stay out of this discussion.
Commissioner Fonkalsrud – Pointed out the Fire Commission has a solid relationship
with the Fire Department, which need to be maintained. He was in favor of following the
guidelines of the State of California and Marin County and thought it best not to issue a
Proclamation on this topic.
Commission Johnson – Agreed with the comments of the Fire Chief and thought it
best not to issue a Proclamation on this topic and to follow the guidelines of the State of
California and Marin County.
Commissioner Burford – Agreed with Fire Chief White. He appreciated
Commissioner Weathers bringing this issue up to the Commission for the possibility of a
Proclamation. He believes vaccination is important for those in public safety, and there
may be a manner in which to word a Proclamation so as not to offend; however at this
point he sides with holding off on a Proclamation.
Commissioner Atieh Hade – Commented this is a highly charged topic and at this
point, she was in favor of supporting the firefighters. She had a concern a Proclamation
could be misconstrued and did not want to give any potential wrong impression.
Commissioner Weathers – Thanked the entire Fire Commission for their position
statements and agreed it was best to stay out of the discussion surrounding mandatory
vaccination of all fire and EMS personnel against the COVID-19.
6. FIRE CHIEF REPORT
Vehicle Fire in San Rafael - From Fire Suppression -
On the afternoon of Tuesday March 8th, E57 (A-shift) responded to 1500 Los Gamos,
parking lot of the YMCA. A fire started in a Lexus SUV which developed into a fully
involved fire in the engine compartment/interior of the vehicle, spreading to a
neighboring parked vehicle. E57 was able to stop the fire before any other vehicles or
property were damaged. Fortunately, no persons were injured.
We briefly discussed new parking signage work in San Rafael with Mary Skramstad,
Wildfire Mitigation Specialist
Chief White reiterated what Mayor Kate had said in a speech about Dr. Mizroch the day
before the Commission meeting. He thanked Steve for a lifetime of support for the Fire
Service. Chief White’s comments about his initial reluctance to work with a Fire
Commission until he met Chairperson Mizroch were heartfelt.
Every Commissioner had kind words of thanks and gratitude for Chairperson Dr. Steve
Mizroch.
Chairperson Mizroch – Spoke eloquently about his time working with and serving the
San Rafael Fire Department and the Fire Foundation. Steve has worked with five Fire
Chiefs:
Fire Chief Robert Marcucci
Fire Chief Bruce Martin
Fire Chief John Montenero
Fire Chief Christopher Gray
Fire Chief Darin White
Never has the Fire Commission had an adversarial position with the Department,
always supportive and hopes things remain in that fashion. Steve signed off by quoting
Buddha “Change is never painful, only resistance to change is painful.”
Commissioner Fonkalsrud made a great suggestion about having an article written in
the Marin IJ about the commitment to the San Rafael Community and the Fire Service
by Dr. Mizroch. Steve was in agreement as long as the article helped support the San
Rafael Fire Department.
Council Member Rachel Kurtz, who was elected in December 2021 to the District 4 seat
would like to meet the Fire Commission and may sit in on our next meeting.
7. ADJOURNMENT
Chair Mizroch asked if there was anything further from anyone, and there being
nothing further, adjourned the meeting at 5:04 p.m.