HomeMy WebLinkAboutFire Commission 2022-09-14 Minutes
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San Rafael Fire Department
1375 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94901
CITY OF SAN RAFAEL
FIRE COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
September 14, 2022 at 4:00 p.m.
Meeting Via Zoom
The meeting was called to order at 4:01 p.m. by Chair Luckham.
Present: Chair Larry Luckham, Vice Chair Nadine Hade, Commissioner Thomas Weathers, Commissioner
Ken Johnson, Commissioner Stan Burford, Commissioner Donna McCusker, Commissioner David
Fonkalsrud
Staff: Chief Darin White
1. Open Time for Public Expression
a. No public comments
2. Approval of Minutes
a. Commissioner Burford moved to adopt the minutes of the August Fire Commission
meeting with Commissioner Hade seconding the motion. The minutes were approved
unanimously with Commissioner Weathers abstaining.
3. Fire Foundation Update
a. Commissioner McCusker reported that the Fire Foundation participated at the recent
Heritage Day event at China Camp. The SRFD fire boat was also present at the event and
provided a water show.
4. Historic Subcommittee Update
a. Chair Luckham shared a SRFD pamphlet from the 1950s. An image of the pamphlet is
available on the Photo 50 site: www. SRphoto50.com
5. Commissioners’ Reports
a. Vice Chair Hade: no report
b. Commissioner Weathers noted that he had recently interviewed for a position on the
Marin Co. Board of Assessment Appeals.
c. Commissioner Johnson shared a news article from Louisiana about increases in
homeowners insurance, noting the nationwide issues on this topic. Chair Luckham noted
that his rates recently increased by 17%.
d. Commissioner Fonkalsrud noted the recent SRFD Wildfire Hazard Evaluation teams in
his neighborhood and the notices left for residents after visual property inspections. He
suggested an alternative to the current process where notices left by inspectors ask
residents to go to a website and provide PII (Personally Identifiable Information) details.
Given privacy concerns, the suggestion was to make reports available to residents who
are uncomfortable providing their personal information, perhaps mailing reports. Chief
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San Rafael Fire Department
1375 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94901
White noted that the SRFD could provide hard copy reports for residents upon request.
Chair Luckham asked if the inspection reports are public and Chief White noted that
they can be made public, but that the SRFD redacts some information, such as name,
address and photos of properties, given privacy concerns. Some general discussion
amongst Commissioners about PII and data privacy in general.
e. Commissioner Burford noted that a recent SRFD incident response in China Camp
involved a neighbor of his. He also asked if Fire Commissioners can be of assistance with
vegetation management and reporting violations. Commissioner McCusker noted that
she has a contact that she will share with the Commission.
f. Commissioner McCusker: no report other than the Fire Foundation report noted above
g. Chair Luckham: no report
6. Fire Chief’s Report
a. Chief White joined the Zoom conference meeting from the California Fire Chiefs
conference in Sacramento and reported on the following:
i. Recruitment: was a topic of the Fire Chiefs conference and continues to be a
challenge throughout the state
ii. WFPA Vegetation Management: the energetic SRFD staff is working hard.
Currently, several hundred properties in San Rafael are out of compliance. While
enforcement will eventually have consequences, the current goal of the SRFD is
to move forward with efforts to gain voluntary compliance.
iii. MWPA: The Citizen Oversight Committee has provided very detailed
recommendations to the Board of Directors. While the work of the Committee is
appreciated, some of the recommendations are at a greater level of detail than
expected, and some counterproposals are under consideration.
iv. COVID: Ample new vaccinations are available throughout the state for existing
variants and the SRFD is encouraging all to get vaccinated. COVID risk remains,
as not all in the community are vaccinated. Commissioner Weathers asked if any
SRFD personnel are unvaccinated, and Chief White responded that SRFD is
accommodating legitimate circumstances (religious or health) and that some
previous requirements for vaccination are starting to be removed in various
jurisdictions.
v. Station 54 and 55 Renovations: moving along well and may finish ahead of
schedule. Challenge with one site supervisor – working it out with that
individual.
vi. Multi Company Training: SRFD crews were excited with Captain Ryan
Goodwin’s multi-company drills in August. This enabled individuals to rotate
into different assignments for basic skills development. Chief White emphasized
the importance of training, especially on seldom used skills in dangerous
environments such as helicopters and boats.
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San Rafael Fire Department
1375 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94901
vii. China Camp Heritage Day: SRFD also had a booth. Greater publicity is needed to
get the word out to the community about China Camp Heritage Day, as
attendance this year was light.
viii. Fire Prevention Week: “Fire won’t wait so plan your escape” is this year’s
theme, noting the importance of planning alternative ways of evacuating. Chair
Luckham also noted the importance of closing room doors within a house at
night in order to prevent smoke from moving rapidly throughout a house. Also,
the importance of installing smoke detectors in every room and hallway.
Meeting ended at 4:49 pm