HomeMy WebLinkAboutFire Commission 2022-11-09 Agenda Packet
AGENDA
SAN RAFAEL FIRE COMMISSION
VIRTUAL ZOOM MEETING
Wednesday, November 9, 2022 @ 4:00 P.M.
Watch on Zoom: https://cityofsanrafael-org.zoom.us/j/83441506482
Webinar ID: 834 4150 6482
Listen by phone: +1 669 900 9128
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 – October 12, 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 action.
4. Chair and Commission Member Reports:
Larry Luckham – Chair
Nadine Hade – Vice Chair
Thomas Weathers
Ken Johnson
David Fonkalsrud, Alternate
Stan Burford
Donna McCusker, Alternate
Informational only. No action to be taken on these items.
5. 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 transp ortation 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.
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CITY OF SAN RAFAEL FIRE DEPARTMENT
FIRE COMMISSION MEETING
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
October 12, 2022
VIA ZOOM
San Rafael, CA
Present: Absent:
Chair Larry Luckham Vice Chair Nadine Atieh Hade
Thomas Weathers
Ken Johnson
David Fonkalsrud
Stan Burford
Ken Johnson
Donna McCusker
Staff:
Fire Chief Darin White
Chair Luckham called the meeting to order at 4:03 p.m.
I. OPEN TIME FOR PUBLIC EXPRESSION
No public expression.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – September 14, 2022
Commissioner Fonkalsrud moved, and Commissioner Burford seconded,
approval of the minutes; unanimous vote to approve.
III. FIRE FOUNDATION
Commissioner McCusker reported that the Fire Foundation provided t-shirts to
the Commissioners; she thanked the Fire Department for mentioning the Fire
Foundation in the Hot Shots newsletter; nothing further reported.
IV. HISTORIC SUBCOMMITTEE
No report.
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V. CHAIR AND COMMISSION MEMBER REPORTS
Commissioner Weathers had nothing to report.
Commissioner Fonkalsrud shared posts on social media; he gave kudos to the
Fire Department for the social media posts.
Commissioner Burford discussed the email he sent regarding a lithium battery
fire; he also addressed the no parking zones for fire trucks to pass and said he had
been discussing the issue with neighbors; Chair Luckham repeated the difficulty of
getting fire tucks up hillsides on some of the narrower streets of San Rafael; Chief White
commented that the SRFD did public outreach about the no parking zones and sent
letters to neighborhood associations; he said there were opportunities for those
impacted to submit comment to SRFD; Commissioner Burford confirmed that letters
were sent to his neighbors; Chair Luckham agreed that lithium battery fires was an
important topic.
Commissioner Johnson reported on Pulse Point which allows the user to see
where AEDs are located; he noted that not all AED locations are on Pulse Point; he
discussed the process for adding AED locations to the site; he asked if the SRFD or the
Fire Foundation could help Pulse Point get more AED locations; he also discussed the
impact of hurricane Ian on California insurance rates.
Commissioner McCusker had nothing to report other than her Fire Foundation
comments.
Chair Luckham reported about his call to 911 and that the SRFD did a fantastic
job; he commented on their professionalism during the incident; he also discuss some
historic patent applications he reviewed; photographs are on the Photo 50 website; he
also discussed the complexity of systems including airlines and local emergency
services; he reported on a failure analysis article he read.
VI. FIRE CHIEF REPORT
Chief White discussed messaging that the SRFD could do to ensure Pulse Point
has the locations of all AEDs; he commented that the lithium battery issue is
complicated and the SRFD has dealt with lithium battery fires; he suggested possible
outreach regarding the risks of lithium batteries; he discussed the Marin Wildfire
Prevention Authority program to evaluate and determine compliance; he thought it might
be a way to reduce property insurance premiums if a home was declared prepared for
wildfire; he commented on Covid-19 and that things seem to be returning to normal; he
noted that construction at Stations 54 and 55 is progressing; he commented on the
retirement of Diana Giorgi; he reported on the donation the Fire Foundation made to the
SRFD “fire boot” fundraiser; he reported on a historical find of SRFD apparatus and
memorabilia in the fireman museum and other places; he is working on how to relocate
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the historical artifacts to a safer place; Chair Luckham noted that he digitized some
journals from a century ago.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
Chair Luckham asked if there was anything further from anyone, and there being
nothing further, adjourned the meeting at 4:53 p.m.