Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutFire Commission 2023-03-08 Minutes Page | 1 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. Page | 2 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: Page | 3 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. Page | 4 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.