SAN FRANCISCO FIRE COMMISSION
FIRE COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
Wednesday, April 13, 2016 - 9:00 a.m.
City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 416, San Francisco, California, 94102
President Covington called the meeting to order at 9:01 AM.
1. ROLL CALL
Commission President Francee Covington Present
Commission Vice President Ken Cleaveland Excused
Commissioner Stephen Nakajo Present
Commissioner Michael Hardeman Present
Chief of Department Joanne Hayes-White Present
Raemona Williams Deputy Chief – Administration
Ken Lombardi Support Services
Shane Francisco Homeland Security
Dan DeCossio Bureau of Fire Prevention
Richard Brown Bureau of Fire Prevention
Jeff Columbini Division of Training
Tony Molloy EMS
Assistant Chiefs
Victor Wyrsch Division 2
Kirk Richardson Division 3
Staff
Mark Corso CFO
Clement Yeh Medical Director
2. PUBLIC COMMENT
No Public Comment
3. ANNOUNCEMENTS [Discussion and Change of Venue]
The April 27, 2016 Fire Commission meeting will be held at 5:00 p.m. at Mission Neighborhood Centers, Inc., 362 Capp Street, San Francisco, CA 94110. Included on the Agenda will be a discussion item presented by Fire Marshal Dan DeCossio and members of his staff, pertaining to recent fires, including status of investigations which will have a start certain time of 6:00 p.m.
Commission Secretary Conefrey read the above announcement.
There was no public comment.
3. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES [Discussion and possible action]
Discussion and possible action to approve meeting minutes.
• Minutes from Regular Meeting on March 9, 2016
Commissioner Hardeman Moved to approve the March 9, 2016 regular meeting Minutes. Commissioner Nakajo Seconded. Motion to approve above Minutes as amended was unanimous.
There was no public comment on this item.
5. LEAVE OF ABSENCE [Discussion and possible action]
Discussion and possible action to approve Chief of Department's request for leave of absence with pay for four days, from April 26-29, 2016, to attend the International Fire Chiefs Association’s Western Fire Chiefs Divisions Visioning Summit. The invitation-only summit will be held in Newport, Oregon. Travel and lodging will be paid for by Western Fire Chiefs Division. Deputy Chief Mark Gonzales will serve as acting Chief of Department during Chief Hayes-White’s absence.
Chief Hayes-White explained that a select group of about 12 or 15 of Chiefs have been invited to participate in the inaugural summit to discuss fire service trends, the future of the fire service, as well as overall look at strategies and tactics for operating in the current environment. She will also be talking about some of the successes and challenges of serving as Chief in this Department.
Commissioner Hardeman Moved to approve the Chief’s Leave of Absence from April 26-29, 2016. Commissioner Nakajo Seconded. Motion to approve the Chief’s Leave of Absence was unanimous.
There was no public comment on this item.
6. CHIEF OF DEPARTMENT’S REPORT [Discussion]
REPORT FROM CHIEF OF DEPARTMENT
Report on current issues, activities and events within the Department since the Fire Commission meeting of March 23, 2016, including academies, strategic planning, 150th Anniversary update, special events, communications and outreach to other government agencies and the public.
Chief Hayes-White started by acknowledging and welcoming Battalion Chief Victor Wyrsch who was sitting in as Division 2. She continued with her report which covered events since the last meeting of March 23, 2016. Related to the academies she acknowledged that the 119th academy are in approximately their 12th week and graduation is anticipated for the afternoon of June 9, 2016. She added that there are currently 52 members in that academy, although they started with 54. She continued that they are planning to have the 120th academy begin on June 20, 2016 which will be comprised of 54 recruits. She also mentioned that on April 4, 2016 they started a “bump up” academy, which is an opportunity for those that were hired as H-3 Level 1 EMTs and have their paramedic licenses, to ascend to an H-3 Level 2 status. She added that they currently have 20 members that are going through that academy, which is approximately three weeks and she hopes to do the same at the end of May with another 24 or so members of the Department who want to take advantage of that promotional opportunity. On April 25, 2016, she anticipates making conditional offers to 32 new hires to come in as H-3 Level 1 EMTs. She acknowledged Assistant Deputy Chief Myers who has done a very good job at screening the candidates, as well as HR Director, Jesusa Bushong, and the physician's office for processing all of those candidates. She touched briefly on the upcoming H-8 process.
In regards to the Strategic Plan, Chief Hayes-White mentioned that there was a meeting on March 28, 2016 of the entire committee where they reviewed the draft that was put together by staff member, Jessica Kennedy and collectively decided that there should be a subcommittee put together to further refine the layout and format of the document as all components have been covered but it's a matter of synthesizing the information and making it look consistent in a presentable format. That subcommittee has met twice and soon there will be a draft review for the Commission and the members to review.
Chief Hayes-White announced the kick off of the 150th Anniversary that will take place on Monday, April 18, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. at Union Square which will have guest speakers including the Mayor and will consist of hosting antique apparatus and demonstrating the 65 foot wooden ladder raise along with a host of other events taking place that morning. She invited everyone to join the festivities.
In regards to other special events, Chief Hayes-White touched on the NERT drill that will take place at the Marina Green and Marina Middle School on Sunday April 17, 2016 as well as the Cherry Blossom Festival. She also announced that there will be a Captain’s exam in June.
Chief Hayes-White stated that there was a meeting on March 25, 2016 with the Mayor’s interim budget director, to talk about the Department’s priorities and enhancements that the committee feels is needed for the Department’s budget, including the fleet and equipment plan. Chief Hayes-White also mentioned that she and staff met with President Breed and gave her an update and status on Station 5 and they met with Supervisor Peskin and talked about his concerns with the possible sale of AWSS spare parts. She acknowledged that they also met with DPW to discuss the ongoing projects related to the close out of ESER 10 and projects associated with the bond.
Chief Hayes-White went on to acknowledged Deputy Chief Raemona Williams, Jesusa Bushong and Commissioner Nakajo who worked on providing information to the Department of Labor, relating to the Department being selected as one of five departments, first responder agencies in the country to participate in a study related to recruitment, retention and training in a diverse workforce.
Chief Hayes-White stated that she participated in the Walk to Work Day, met with the Budget Committee, along with Commissioner Hardeman, President Covington and Tom O’Connor of Local 798 to talk again about unification and the unified message moving forward on the Department’s budget needs. She touched on the Department of Technology and that they have decided to have quarterly meetings to make sure they’re on the right track with the projects they are working on.
Public Comment: Ray Crawford, who is currently assigned to Station 49 as Senior Captain wanted to address an inaccurate statement that was made at the last meeting that referred to the EMS officers in loggerhead with the administration. He stated that that is not accurate, that in order to be at a loggerhead there has to be no resolution and there is a resolution about getting RC-4 placed back in the field, as well as Station 49 receiving the fourth captain. The positions have been funded but not activated. He stated that they are obligated to file a sentinel event with the County EMSA Authority as well as meet with the three Board of Supervisors in which RC-4 responds to and start discussing this issue with them. He concluded by asking for the Commissions help in getting these items restored.
Commission Nakajo asked for further update on the Diversity Research project the Department was invited to participate in. Chief Hayes-White explained that it’s her understanding that they took down a lot of information from several members of the Department that met with them over the course of two days. She added that four other agencies were also invited to participate and the information provided to them will be captured in a report and sent to the Department of Labor who will eventually summarize the findings and share something in writing to share with the Department. Commissioner Nakajo concluded by requesting a ride along with an EMS Captain.
Commissioner Hardeman acknowledged the success of the H-8 program and the agreement reached with Local 798. Chief Hayes-White announced that the goal is to get a pool of upwards of about 100 people in the H-8 classification.
President Covington asked for additional information on the issue of the RC-4 position. Chief Hayes-White explained that currently it is a 24 hour shift position and there are three Captains that work in the field at various stations. As a temporary solution, they moved RC-4, which was typically assigned to the southeastern section of the City, to oversee the staffing and administrative work at Station 49. The medics and EMT’s at Station 49 are on 12 hour shifts, and the administration strongly feels, that the safest and most efficient work model is to have the RC-4, supervisorial position, mirror that of the subordinates that they are supervising. President Covington expressed her concerns of having those positions unfilled.
REPORT FROM OPERATIONS
Report on overall field operations, including greater alarm fires, Emergency Medical Services, the Bureau of Fire Prevention & Investigation, and the Airport Division.
Chief Gonzales’ Operations report covered the month of March. He explained the third alarm fire at 3222 22nd Street on March 13, 2016. The cause of that fire is still under investigation. The incident commander was acting Assistant Chief Kirk Richardson, who did a good job. He touched on the March 26th incident where Rescue Boat 1 capsized during a training exercise near Land’s End. He added that all members were pulled out of the water safely. He mentioned the first alarm fire on March 7, 2016 at 1350 Mason Street, which was contained to the basement, the March 14, 2016 warehouse fire on Treasure Island, and on March 18, 2016 the first alarm fire at 623 Clement Street.
Chief Gonzales described the Coastal Community outreach event at Ocean Beach for high surf hazard safety. He announced the trip that San Francisco Los Bomberos employee group took to Nicaragua to teach rescue workers from that Country the essential firefighting, medical and rescue skills. He also announced that the SFFD Veterans employee group has volunteered to work with the US Air Force in training its members to take over the Department’s Color Guard duties. He touched on the developments of the social media policy, the H-3 Level 1 EMT interviews, H-8 interviews and the pre-academy prep class for members at Station 49 that wish to join the suppression force in the H-2 academy and the agreement that was reached with Local 798. He suggested that the Commissioners go to Station 49 and see the great work that has been done on EMS logistics. He touched on the rumblings from some members pertaining to the 12 hour vs. 24 hour shift for RC-4 and that the administrations’ standpoint from the Chief, himself, Assistant Deputy Chief Myers and Acting Section Chief Molloy are in support of the 12 hour shift.
Chief Gonzales stated there has been progress made on Treasure Island, Yerba Buena Island, in that 95 percent of the infrastructure plan is under review by SFFD and YBI plans for demolition of 29 buildings has been approved. In regards to the Bureau of Fire Prevention, he mentioned they are drafting a letter to send to R-2 property owners notifying them that their buildings are scheduled to be inspected by the SFFD and it will give them better details on what to expect and give them information sheets regarding smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. He added that the Fire Marshal’s office is working with Department of Building Inspection and Housing Inspection Services to establish an administrative hearing process for fire code violations and proposed ordinance changes that will mandate issuances of notice of violations for all fire code violations, although the Fire Department does not think this is a good idea, it will require more personnel to conduct these violation hearings. The Fire Marshal's office strongly recommends notice of violations should be issued for all priority violations. With regards to Bureau of Fire Investigations, he mentioned that the number of open and active fire investigation reports through the month of March is 177, which reflects a reduction of 26 open reports from the previous month.
Commissioner Nakajo thanked Chief Gonzales for his report and gave a shout out to his assistant Ginny Franklin who does a tremendous job in preparing this monthly report. He also suggested that the Department acknowledge the Coast Guard for their help in the rescue of the capsized rescue boat. Commissioner Nakajo also clarified that the shift issue with the RC-4 position must be agreed upon with the MOU and is currently in negotiations. He also acknowledged Chief Gonzales’ detailed report, the Chief’s Quarterly Bulletin and all the hard work being done by HR Manager Jesusa Bushong in terms of all the work that’s occurring preparing for the upcoming academy classes. Chief Hayes-White thanked Commissioner Nakajo and also acknowledged her assistant Kelly Alves and Jessica Kennedy for their work on the Quarterly Bulletin.
Commissioner Hardeman reiterated the dangers of the job, and it’s an impossibility to eliminate all the job related catastrophes that happen, but he knows the Administration is good about putting notices and policies out to prevent injuries to the members.
President Covington thanked Chief Gonzales for his report and asked him to introduce Acting Assistant Chief Richardson and that she appreciated his writing skills when describing the fire at 3222 22nd Street.
Public Comment: Shawn Bufford stated that President of Local 798, Tom O’Connor is out of town so he was speaking on his behalf. In terms of the RC-4 position he said money was put in the budget and it has been their position that RC-4 would be put back in the field so they can reduce the workload of the three other RC Captains and continue to work together on moving forward on Station 49. He explained that the two items are not exclusively tied together and they should put the RC-4 back into the field and work later on moving forward with Station 49. He also suggested that it’s their position that the Department continue to beef up water rescue training.
Ray Crawford, representing the EMS Officers Association expressed his concerns over RC-4 not being returned to the field. He added that RC-4 and Station 49 are two separate entities and that RC-4 is a unit that is out in the field to provide emergency services and oversight for the people of the southern half of San Francisco and Station 49 is the ambulance deployment center. He hopes that they can move forward before the May 11, 2016 Fire Commission Meeting to getting this issue to a resolution.
Dion Mark, currently on the eligibility list for the H-2 positon asked if there would be per diem EMT positions available in the coming years.
7. DRAFT OPERATING BUDGET – FISCAL YEARS 2016-2017/ 2017-2018 [Discussion]
CFO Mark Corso to provide an update on the Draft Operating Budget for Fiscal Years 2016-2017/2017-2018 since last update on February 10, 2016.
Mark Corso stated that the Department submitted its operating budget request to the Mayor's office in late February. The Department was requested to submit budget reductions along with its proposal to the tune of about 1 1/2 percent of general fund support, but given the needs of the Department, the Department did not submit any reductions requested of them. He added that the Department has reconvened its SFFD Budget Committee and has met twice since the Department submitted its budget in February and also met with the Mayor's office and acting Budget Director for the Mayor, Ms. Melissa Whitehouse and she gave an update on the overall overview of the City's finances. After that, the committee had the opportunity to discuss the needs and priorities of the Fire Department and it was clear from both the administration side, as well as from the committee side, the top priority was the need for the Department to have a vehicle and equipment replacement plan that's funded continually in the budget. Mr. Corso added that at the suggestion of the Budget Committee, they also met with President of Local 798, Tom O’Connor, President Covington and Commissioner Hardeman to try and prioritize the needs of the Department and request a joint meeting with the Mayor and his Chief of Staff to discuss and advocate for the Department’s needs going forward in the budget process.
Public Comment: Shawn Bufford, speaking on behalf of President O’Connor stated that 798 is supporting the efforts that the Department is moving forward to increase the budget and once it’s submitted, 798 is going to push for all the additional add-ons.
Commissioner Nakajo thanked Mr. Corso for his comprehensive report and acknowledged President Covington and Commissioner Hardeman for attending the Budget Committee meeting as well as Local 798 for their support of the budget. He added that unification of principals and force clearly is going to be very important to show the decision makers that the Department is standing together on the budget issues. President Covington agreed and mentioned that it is crucial for the Department to get the monies needed to keep the citizens and visitors of the City safe and a united front is going to help do that. Chief Lombardi gave a brief description on the history and deployment of the City’s ambulances
8. 2016 HEALTH BOND [Discussion]
Update from Assistant Deputy Chief Ken Lombardi outlining the scope of the 2016 Health Bond.
Chief Lombardi explained that the bond is a $350,000,000 bond that has five projects on it. They are to seismically improve General Hospital for 222 million; expand the Southeast Health Center for 30 million, Community Health Services for 20 million; Homeless Service Sites for 20 million and 58 million set aside for the Fire Department. He stated that of the 58 million dollars, 44 million will go for a new ambulance deployment center for the Fire Department and 14 million will go towards the combined needs, including modernizing the Department's 50 facilities. He added that the current Station 49 was set up as a temporary facility in 2006 and is not a safe seismic facility, there is inefficient vehicle space, inefficient storage and inefficient training space. He mentioned that the proposed location for a new Station 49, if the bond passes would be on Jerrold Avenue directly behind Station 9 and there would be four restocking bays for ambulances inside which would allow for a rapid restock and that is important because the faster we can restock and turn ambulances around, the more that will be accessible on the street.
Public Comment: Shawn Bufford, on behalf of Local 798, stated that in regards to Proposition A, the Union strongly advocated for a new facility since the start of Station 49 and that the rumor that they didn’t support it is not true. He stated that President O’Connor was leery about putting their name onto a ballot argument prior to seeing the strategy, or plan of action so they can review it, make comments and give input before signing the name of Local 798 that represent the membership.
Commissioner Nakajo commented that he always enjoys the presentations from Chief Lombardi. Chief Lombardi credited staff member Jessica Kennedy for putting together the presentation.
Commissioner Hardeman asked if the Bond needed a two-thirds or majority vote to pass. Chief Lombardi asked Mr. Brian Strong, Director of Capital Planning to come and address the Commission on these issue. Mr. Strong answered that it is a two-thirds vote. He added that from the City’s perspective, they are excited to be able to include the ambulance deployment facility in the Bond as well as the additional 14 million dollars for fire station upgrades. Commissioner Hardman asked Mr. Strong how much money is available that could be tapped into in the near future. Mr. Strong answered that he gets that question a lot, and the City has pretty much absorbed all of the capacity under the current constraint in the capital plan, so the capital plan says that they are only going to issue new bonds as they retire old ones. Commissioner Hardeman added that there has been a lot of disenchantment within the rank and file because there are so many needs that haven’t been met and since the collapse in 2008, the Department has been falling further and further behind and there are a hundred other needs so the members on the front line can properly do their job. He added that he was excited to hear that all the bond money is used up because the general fund doesn’t seem to have the resources to handle the needs of the Fire Department. Mr. Strong replied that is was important to keep in mind, that General Obligation bonds can only go to infrastructure, it cannot go to items like fleet or portable water system. He stated that the Capital Planning Committee is very award of the needs of the Fire Department.
Commissioner Nakajo thanked Mr. Strong and the Capital Planning Department for the support they have given to the Fire Department and that he appreciated the information that was provided in terms of the history of the bond issues and he requested that they keep the Department in mind in terms of our needs when we lose Treasure Island as a training facility as well as the developments still to occur in Bayview Hunter’s Point.
9. AGENDA FOR NEXT FIRE COMMISSION MEETING [Discussion]
Discussion regarding agenda for the April 27, 2016 regular meeting.
• Presentation from Fire Marshal and staff members at the remote location at 362 Capp Street, Mission Neighborhood Inc.,
10. ADJOURNMENT
President Covington adjourned the meeting at 10:42 a.m.