HomeMy WebLinkAboutFire Commission 2023-03-08 Minutes
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San Rafael Fire Department
1375 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94901
CITY OF SAN RAFAEL
FIRE COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
March 8, 2023 at 4:00 p.m.
In Person Meeting at 1375 Fifth Ave, San Rafael, CA 94901
The meeting was called to order at 4:02 p.m. by Chair Luckham.
Present: Larry Luckham – Chair, Nadine Atieh Hade – Vice Chair, Commissioners Thomas Weathers, Ken
Johnson, David Fonkalsrud, Alternate, Stan Burford, Donna McCusker, Honorary Commissioner Dr.
Stephen Mizroch
Staff: Fire Chief Darin White
1. Open Time for Public Expression
No public comments.
2. Approval of Minutes
Commission Johnson moved to adopt the revised minutes. Commissioner Fonkalsrud seconded.
The minutes were adopted unanimously
3. Fire Foundation
Donna began her comments for the Fire Foundation noting college and university professors who have
been a tenured may be considered for emeritus/a status this should be a possibility for Chairman
Luckham as this is the last Fire Commission meeting. The experience and knowledge which Larry has
provided to the Fire Commission is invaluable.
The Fire Foundation has approved Class A Uniform Grant Program, which is extension of the offer for
one more year. Only one Firefighter took advantage in the past year so it will be monitored for the
upcoming period. Commissioner Luckham commented, as the word spreads more fire fighters will take
advantage. Chief White will be sending out reminder about this opportunity.
As described by Dr. Stephen Mizroch - Captain Kyle Kleinsmith has developed a scholarship in Marin
County and San Rafael specifically for students interested in a career in Public Safety. A proposal
brought to the Fire Foundation to support. The Foundation struggled a bit to determine if this was in
their scope. They are going to support this for one year and see how it turns out.
Leonard Thompson has created a Winter Newsletter which all members of the Fire Commission should
be getting copies. This newsletter is to try to promote the Foundation.
Moving forward the goal is for the fire Foundation to restart the Crab Feed. Chief White has graciously
offered to assist in this effort with Leonard Thompson.
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San Rafael Fire Department
1375 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94901
4. Historic Subcommittee
Larry Luckham introduced 3 books 1.) Fire Prevention Ordinance, 2.) Arson Investigation, 3.) What
Fireman Should Know and Practice from Chuck Daniels an Arson Investigator for the County and San
Rafael.
https://www.marinfirehistory.org/daniels-charles-i-jr-chuck.html
The objective is to include these books in the historical record of the San Rafael Fire Department
5.) Commissioners’ Report
Commissioner Atieh Hade had comments:
Pulse Point activity is being posted which is very informational to the community. Nadine inquired from
Chief White if there was a way to report to the Fire Commission Metrics to share with the community.
Basically a call log or activity metric.
Nadine paid some heartfelt memories of working with Chairperson Luckham. She thanked Larry for his
dedication and commitment to the Fire Service.
Chief White answered Nadine’s question. While he normally gets those report on an annual basis he will
look into securing them on a monthly basis with any unusual activities which may occur included. Chief
White thought the suggestion was a good idea.
Commissioners Thomas Weathers had comments:
He began with memories of working with Chairperson Luckham. He thanked Larry for his dedication and
commitment to the Fire Service. Larry took him to all the stations and introduced him to all the
firefighters, which was impactful in his role as a new commissioner.
Commissioner Weathers is an Indian Law Attorney. He currently serves as an appellate judge for various
tribal courts and has served as a judge pro tem for tribal trial courts. Today he had a case where a
woman burned her house down so he is charging her with arson. Chairperson Luckham introduced the
concept of Intentional Burning vs. Arson. Intentional Burning is where there was no financial incentive.
This case could be burning without permit. Arson is the crime of willfully and deliberately setting fire to
or charring property.
Commission Ken Johnson had comments:
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San Rafael Fire Department
1375 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94901
Discussed a recent trip to a factory in the hurricane zone of Florida he was struck by how advanced the
Florida Building Codes are for the peril of Wind. Commissioner Johnson’s opinion is Florida is more
advanced than California for Natural Disasters (Wildfire).
He broached the subject of the Insurance Industry introducing Wildfire insurance like California
currently has for Flood and Earthquake.
Chief White had an excellent question on the profit made by insurance companies over decades and
Commission Johnson answered the cost of insurance is going up because of diminished capacity in the
Reinsurance marketplace.
Commission David Fonkalsrud had comments:
He began with memories of working with Chairperson Luckham. He thanked Larry for his dedication and
commitment to the Fire Service.
Commission Stan Burford had comments:
Brought up the logical succession for the Chairperson position for Chairperson Luckham’s position. He
then went into a detailed discussion of Chairperson Luckham’s background:
Fire Commissioner
The Luckham Company – President
Computer Operations Manager - Bell Telephone Labs
US Navy - TM2
Skills - Advanced Explosives Recognition, Crime Scene & Forensic Photography, Crime Scene
Diagramming,
Fire Investigation 1A, 1B, 20, 2A, 2B, Forensic Vehicle Fire Investigation,
Interview & Interrogation, Marine Fire Investigation, Multidisciplinary Fire Death Investigation,
PC 832, Arrest, Search & Seizure, Multidisciplinary Fire Death Investigation,
PC 832 Arrest, Search & Seizure, Report Writing, Serial Arson Investigation,
Wildland Fire Behavior S-190, Wildland Fire Origin & Cause Determination FI-210
Commission Donna McCusker had comments:
Donna paid some great words of admiration of Chairperson Luckham. She thanked Larry for his
dedication and commitment to the Fire Service.
Chairperson Larry Luckham had comments:
When he joined the commission he told them he would be very active. Started with photographing
crews for historical reasons. The incident commander or engineer would request the photos for after-
action reports. The investigator realized Larry had better camera equipment than he did. Then Larry
started taking the above listed classes.
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San Rafael Fire Department
1375 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94901
He asked for a Nomination for his replacement as Chairperson. Commission Burford Nominated Nadine
Atieh Hade for the position it was seconded by David Fonkalsrud. This was put to a vote and all
members unanimously voted for Commissioner Atieh Hade.
Vote for Vice Chair confirmed Stan Burford.
6. Fire Chief’s Report
Services for Retire Battalion Chief Paul Crimmins:
https://www.marinij.com/2023/02/20/san-rafael-community-honors-firefighter-who-died-of-
occupational-cancer/#:~:text=Crimmins%20began%20his%20firefighting%20career,24.
Covid Numbers - There are now 17 patients admitted to county hospitals with a confirmed case of
COVID-19, a change of -29.2% from two weeks ago. Of those, 0 are in an intensive care unit.
The Chief had many firefighter waiting to congratulate and spend time with outgoing Chairperson
Luckham so his normal report was a more brief than normal.
The Chief made several moving comment about what Chairperson Luckham brought to the San Rafael
Fire Service. He will be looking to Larry for support in the upcoming year on projects. Then he led a
group of Fire Fighters into the meeting. Chief White read the City of San Rafael Proclamation. Meeting
was adjourned at 5:24.