HomeMy WebLinkAboutFire Commission 2022-07-13 Minutes
City of San Rafael Fire Department
Fire Commission Meeting
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
July 13, 2022
Via ZOOM
Present: Absent:
Chair Larry Luckham Ken Johnson
Vice Chair Nadine Atieh
Thomas Weathers
Stan Burford
David Fonkalsrud – Alternate
Donna McCusker – Alternate
Fire Chief Darin White
Chair Luckham called the meeting to order at 4:00 PM.
1. OPEN TIME FOR PUBLIC EXPRESSION
No members of the public present.
2. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
First order of business – approval of the minutes from the 6/8/22 Commission meeting.
Moved to accept by FC Stan Burford, seconded by FC David Fonkalsrud – vote, unanimous.
3. FIRE FOUNDATION
FC McCusker reported the following items:
• With the Fire Chief’s approval, the Fire Fighters are designing a duty T shirt to
recognize & honor our military. To be used at work during appropriate holidays
such as Memorial Day & Veteran’s Day.
• FF will staff a booth @ Heritage Day/Friends of China Camp on Aug 27th 11-3 PM
at China Camp. San Rafael Fireboat will do a demonstration midday. Join us!
• New FF officers were nominated & approved beginning July 2022.
Board President Leonard Thompson Vice President Pat Kendall Treasurer Jack
Devlin Secretary Steve Mizroch. Current Board Members Jeff Craemer & John
Chew remain.
• A custom window decal for the Foundation has been designed & produced to give
to Donors for display in their respective business window.
• Feed the Firefighters concept under review for further good will.
• Future Fundraising: Foundation has designed a formal letter w the Chief’s
approval that will be produced & sent to local businesses in the hopes of
promoting donations.
4. HISTORIC SUBCOMMITTEE
The role of historian is not restricted to commission members.
The Public Safety Center has 2 historical items; Former Station 51 wooden doors & the spiral
staircase, both of which are on display in the lobby of the bldg.
5. CHAIR & COMMISSION REPORTS
FC Stan Burford addressed the following items & provided links to the Commission for follow on
information.
1. Salmon protection agreement hamstrings fire safety efforts
2. Massive cellular failure that occurred in Canada which prevented 911 emergency calls to be
made, no ability to go online, no cellphone service. Detailed discussion followed as to what
Marin County/San Rafael has as a backup system. Currently the existing radios & Nat’l
Oceanographic & Atmospheric radios issued to Fire Safe Marin. Chief White stated a First
Responder Network has been put to bid w ATT. D-Block would be exclusive to First
Responder. San Rafael IT is currently reviewing this.
3. New Fire Retardant for bombers. Fighting fire w mixture of soda w water. When sprayed on
fire soda removes creates CO2, extinguishes fire faster.
https://www.fireengineering.com/leadership/fighting-fire-with-soda-water/
https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2022-07-02/as-u-s-tests-new-fire-retardant-
critics-push-other-methods
https://www.marinij.com/2022/07/11/marin-voice-salmon-protection-agreement-hamstrings-
fire-safety-efforts/
FC Larry Luckham discussed in detail radio communique. Marin County Radios only work in
county. Looking to obtain new radios for police & fire w grant from Federal Govt. He salvaged 9
old Bendex King radios to b used in training w wildland fires. FF’s in Marin County used to need a
MERA radio for most calls but also needed to carry a BK radio for wildland fires. Marin County
FD’s received a grant to allow upgrading new MERA radios to tri-band so that Marin firefighters
only need to carry one radio for in county wildland fires. That has reduced our need for the BK’s.
But, they still need the BK’s for out of county wildland fires.
FC Thomas Weathers – nothing to report
FC David Fonkalsrud – nothing to report
FC Donna McCusker – nothing to report
SRFD Chief White –
• Fire Hydrants: Marin County fire departments owns the fire hydrants. FD is responsible
for their maintenance, inspection chkg gaskets/caps, painting, & operate valves &
lubricate. MMWD presents a challenge in regards to the hydrant flush to make sure it is
functional & confirm flow rates. This last item has not been done of recent due to water
shortage.
Working w public works to get a move fwd on this. San Rafael has 5-6 different hydrants
types w different capacities.
• MWPA approved office space “The Commons” @ Los Gamos road for $125,000 year rent
which is considered below market rate. 17 Board members & public will be able to use
this space for their 51 Brown Act meetings a year.
• Guidelines/Covid 13% of Army Nat’l Guard members remain unvaccinated & could be
forced out of service.
• Deer Park & Highland Ave vegetation fire deemed suspicious. Under investigation.
• Fireboat San Rafael rescued wind surfer under the Richmond San Rafael Bridge.
• Stations 54 & 55 construction has moved forward significantly, hope to have completed
by yearend.
• Promotional Ceremonies occurred in June. 2 fire Captains, 1 Fire Engineer. 1 paramedic
completed probation & promoted to permanent status. Deputy Chief of Operations Abe
Roman had his swearing in ceremony. Several members completed their probationary
periods in various ranks w/in the dept.
• A priority for Spring 2023 is to hold a “Girls Camp” in the hopes of encouraging a better
rapport w young people. May be held in conjunction w Novato and/or the County. CA
Fire had a camp of this nature in Sacramento. FC Larry Luckham stated that in the past
there was a “Berkeley Academy”. It was a weekend event called “Ignite”. It was all
women/all athletes whom attended.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:00 PM.
Prepared by: FC Donna McCusker