HomeMy WebLinkAboutFire Commission 2024-03-13 Minutes
CITY OF SAN RAFAEL
FIRE COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
March 13, 2024 at 4:00 p.m.
In person meeting at 1375 Fifth Ave, San Rafael, CA 94901
The meeting was called to order at 4:05 p.m. by Chair Burford
Present:
Chair Stan Burford
Commissioner Donna McCusker
Commissioner Ken Johnson
Commissioner Dave Fonkalsrud
Commissioner John Chung*
Captain Kleinschmidt
Chief Sinnott
Battalion Chief Bernard
Thomas Wong
*Attended virtually as a member of the public
Members of the Public: Larry Luckham
1. Open Time for Public Expression
No public Comment
2. Approval of Minutes – February 14, 2024
Commissioner Fonkalsrud makes a motion to approve the draft minutes. Seconded by
Commissioner Johnson.
The minutes are adopted unanimously.
3. SRFD 150th Anniversary – Historical Items & Preparations
Discussions about organizing an event celebrating the milestone anniversary.
Chief Sinnott confirms that the Fire Department has several historical items and vehicles
available to display for this occasion.
Commissioners Chung and Johnson are creating a sub-committee to organize the event.
4. Fire Foundation – Verbal Update from Commissioner McCusker and Discussion Regarding
the Fire Scholarship
Captain Kleinschmidt presents the scholarship program. The Program was created to support
the Fire Department recruiting process, and to offer equals opportunity to all high school
students in San Rafael.
Last year, the program helped support three students in their future college tuition in the Public
Safety field with $6,000.
Commissioner Donna McCusker asks to follow up with those students' careers.
5. Current Media Coverage
Helicopter drone is made to drop bombs – News Atlas
Member of the public Larry Luckham presents the article.
Discussion about the use of drones.
6. Chair and Commission Member Reports:
• Stan Burford– Chair: No report.
• David Fonkalsrud- Vice Chair: No report.
• Ken Johnson: No report.
• Donna McCusker: brought Photographs given by Retired Chief Pete Martin, from
Marin County Fire. The vintage archives go back to the 1920’s. It will be kept at the
Fire Department.
No report from the Foundation.
7. Fire Chief Report
The Fire Foundation is looking for new members. It is advertised in Hotshot News.
• Staff Update:
Three new recruits joined the Operation staff, they are currently going through training at the
Academy of Fire since March 8th.
Two new cadets are starting their internship program at the end of March.
The Fire Captain promotional process has started.
The recruitment of four or five Fire Prevention Inspectors has started.
• Operations Division Incidents:
Three similar laundry room fires have happened within a week in the Canal District. Police are
investigating. It is an important concern.
• The Explorer Program is getting a lot of interest in the young community.
• The Response Data shows an increase in the Call Volume.
Commissioner McCusker wishes the Response Data, as well as the Hot Shot News reached a
larger public, as it is educational.
8. Questions from the public
• Commissioner Chung asks Commissioner Johnson to report about Homeowner Fire
Insurance in Marin, since it became outstanding.
Meeting adjourned at 5:09 PM