HomeMy WebLinkAboutFire Commission 2023-12-13 Minutes
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San Rafael Fire Department
1375 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94901
CITY OF SAN RAFAEL
FIRE COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
December 13, 2023 at 4:00 p.m.
In person meeting at 1375 Fifth Ave, San Rafael, CA 94901
The meeting was called to order at 4:04 p.m. by Chair Burford
Present:
Chair Stan Burford
Commissioner Donna McCusker
Commissioner Ken Johnson
Commissioner Dave Fonkalsrud
Commissioner Weathers
Commissioner Waterbury
Commissioner Chung
Chief Sinnott
Thomas Wong
1. Open Time for Public Expression
No public comments
2. Approval of Minutes
Commissioner Weathers makes a motion to approve the draft minutes. Commissioner McCusker
seconds the vote.
The minutes are adopted unanimously.
3. Appointment Certificate Presentation for Fire Commissioners and Alternates
Chief Sinnott presents a Certificate of Appointment to Commissioner Johnson
4. Fire Foundation
Commissioner McCusker reports that the Crab feed was postponed due to lack of crab and that the new
date is January 13. Tickets are still for sale.
5. Current Media Coverage
Best Way to Extinguish a Flaming Electric Vehicle? Let It Burn – Wall Street Journal
Commissioner Fonkalsrud shares the news article and adds that EVs are prevalent now and you basically
have to let them burn out. Captain Berkey says there are currently no special tools that SRFD uses for EV
fires, but you need a lot of water and it’s a known hazard.
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San Rafael Fire Department
1375 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94901
Benign hurricane season ends ‘peak hardening’ for US commercial property – Insurance Insider US
Commissioner Johnson reports that we’ve had 31 $1B events around the globe in the past 20 years but
this was a light year for hurricanes. It’s slowly getting better than it was.
6. Improving Public Engagement
Commissioner Burford questions whether Falkirk is fire safe and whether there is enough lighting there.
At night it was very hard to get from the parking lot to the building.
Chief Sinnott states that Falkirk does not have fire sprinklers but is inspected annually. The building is
run by recreation and staff will pass along the concerns.
Commissioner McCusker talked to her councilmember and will not be attending future events at Falkirk.
We should use PSC lobby instead.
7. Commissioners’ Report
Commissioner Fonkalsrud did his ride along with Commissioner Weathers and E51 two weeks ago. They
went on one call and were impressed with how fast they got out. Commissioner Fonkalsrud suggest that
commissioners should do these ride alongs more often. Commissioner Fonkalsrud requests that the
social media handles be included in these minutes.
Department Social Media
https://twitter.com/SRFD
https://www.instagram.com/sanrafaelfd/?hl=en
https://nextdoor.com/agency-detail/ca/san-rafael/san-rafael-fire-department-1/
Fire Foundation Social Media
http://srfirefoundation.org/
https://www.facebook.com/people/San-Rafael-Fire-Foundation/100054385425915/
Commissioner Johnson has no updates.
Commissioner Weathers says that the ride along was the best thing he has done on his 10 years on the
Commission. He learned about the staff turnover which has been high due to pay. Was very surprised
by the number of calls that have increased.
Commissioner McCusker tells the Commissioners to keep seeing the firefighters and interacting with
them.
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San Rafael Fire Department
1375 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94901
Commissioner Chung asks if there are any BLS units in San Rafael.
Commissioner Waterbury has no updates.
Chair Burford states that each January a new Chair and Vice Chair are elected. Commissioner Weathers
nominates Chair Burford and Vice Chair Fonkalsrud to maintain their current positions since they have
not been in their position for a year. It was seconded by Commissioner Johnson and approved
unanimously.
8. Fire Chief’s Report
Chief Sinnott provides department wide updates including two new ambulances, staffing, Station 54,
and MWPA updates.
Meeting adjourned at 5:18 PM