HomeMy WebLinkAboutFire Commission 2022-10-12 Minutes
Page | 1
San Rafael Fire Department
1375 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94901
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.
Page | 2
San Rafael Fire Department
1375 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94901
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 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.