Fire Commission - August 8, 2018

 

 

The Video can be viewed by clicking this link:  http://sanfrancisco.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=180&clip_id=31…

 

Vice President Nakajo called the meeting to order at 9:03 a.m.

 

1. ROLL CALL

 

Commission President Ken Cleaveland Arrived at 9:04

Commission Vice President Stephen Nakajo Present

Commissioner Michael Hardeman Present

Commissioner Francee Covington Present

Commissioner Joe Alioto Veronese Present

 

Chief of Department Joanne Hayes-White Excused

 

Mark Gonzales Deputy Chief – Operations

Jeanine Nicholson Deputy Chief --Administration

 

Dan De Cossio Bureau of Fire Prevention

Mike Cochran Homeland Security

Andy Zanoff EMS

Tony Rivera Support Services

Khai Ali Airport

Joel Sato Training Division

 

Assistant Chiefs

Thomas Abbott Division 2

Michael Bryant Division 3

 

Staff

Mark Corso Deputy Director of Finance

 

 

2. PUBLIC COMMENT

 

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 July 25, 2018.

 

Commissioner Hardeman Moved to approve the above meeting Minutes.  Vice President Nakajo Seconded.  Motion to approve above Minutes was unanimous.

 

There was no public comment.

 

6 CHIEF OF DEPARTMENT’S REPORT [Discussion]

REPORT FROM ACTING CHIEF OF DEPARTMENT, MARK GONZALES

Report on current issues, activities and events within the Department since the Fire Commission meeting on April 25, 2018, including budget, academies, special events, communications and outreach to other government agencies and the public.

 

Chief Gonzales reported on events since the last meeting on July 25, 2018, as Chief Joanne Hayes-White was in Dallas at the Fire Rescue International Conference to receive the IAFC’s Career Fire Chief of the Year award.  He added that she was nominated by former Mayor, Mark Farrell, Senator Diane Feinstein as well as George and Charlotte Schultz.

 

Chief Gonzales stated that they continue to work on the budget to close out the fiscal year 2018 and that Mayor Breed signed the budget.  With regards to the Division of Training, he mentioned that the 124th academy is in their final week and graduation will take place on Friday, August 10, 2018, at Archbishop Riordan High School.  He added that the projection for the start date of the 125th academy is early 2019.  Chief Gonzales announced that they are planning a bump up class in the early fall, with a projected class of 30 people, 20 of which will be H-3 Level 1s, two H-3 Level 2s, 10 of which will be H-2 firefighters to H-3 Level 3, which is firefighter/paramedic as well as an H-3 Level 1 academy in the late fall.  He stated that at the request of Mayor Breed’s office for a response to the public safety policy summit recommendations, they are working on the response which is due August 28th.  He touched on the OES strike team personnel that have been deployed to wildland fires, and special events that took place during the reporting period, including a meeting with DBI Director Hui and staff regarding the accessory dwelling units.  He added that Fire Marshal De Cossio is doing a great job putting together the process for contractors and building owners to convert to legal ADU’s.  He mentioned that they had an ambulance viewing of another type of vehicle that is smaller than the current box type but bigger than the Sprinter type they are currently testing and making sure they are in line with the safety of personnel as well as Vision Zero goals.

 

There was no public comment.

 

REPORT FROM DEPUTY CHIEF OF OPERATIONS, MARK GONZALES

Report on overall field operations, including greater alarm fires, Emergency Medical Services, Bureau of Fire Prevention & Investigation, and Airport Division.

 

Chief Gonzales reported on activities for the month of July.  He mentioned that there were two greater alarms during the reporting period, the first at 970 47th Avenue (the Clubhouse at Golden Gate Golf Course) under the command of Assistant Chief Ken Yee and the second at 1333 Columbus Avenue under the command of Assistant Chief Brook Baker.  He mentioned that all members did a good job and performed admirably but they had an issue with police cars blocking access to hydrants and roads at the golf course fire and that they are working with the SFPD to fix the issues.  He touched on other notable incidents such as a rescue of a 50-year-old male who fell into the water at Pier 27; a first alarm fire at 359 Ellis Street on the seventh floor; and a hazmat incident at Oceanside Sanitation Facility which was mitigated.  He touched on outreach efforts and reminded the public to follow the department on Twitter at SFFDPIO, on the department website at sf-fire.org and to sign up for emergency notifications by texting ALERTSF to 888-777.  He added that the Department has also started to promote a safety message with Smokey the Bear on social media for youth.  He presented a slideshow of pictures showing members in action.  He gave a brief history of the San Francisco Fire Youth Academy which started in September of 2003 by the San Francisco Black Firefighters Association.  He acknowledged the recent award ceremony for Commissioner Nakajo and thanked ADC Zanoff and ADC Cochrane for their work on the mayoral inauguration.  He stated that Dr. Yeh and Captain Pang are doing EMS-6 refresher training and that the Bureau of Fire Investigations has 62 open cases. 

 

Vice President Nakajo thanked Chief Gonzales for his reports and confirmed that the new director for DEM is Mary Ellen Carroll and that he would like to be introduced to her as well as acknowledging outgoing director Anne Kronenberg for all her years of service to the City and County of San Francisco.  Vice President Nakajo confirmed that the clubhouse fire at GGP is still under investigation and he acknowledged the great summary report of that fire written by Assistant Chief Ken Yee.  He touched on the use and elimination of chief aids which Chief Gonzales explained that at one point all 10 Battalion Chiefs had operators, now only the Assistant Chiefs have operators.  Vice President Nakajo also confirmed the difference between calling 9-1-1 and 3-1-1 and that 3-1-1 is educating the public on when to each of those numbers and the importance of the need to do a concise effort for all in public service to be able to educate the public on when to call 3-1-1 as opposed to 9-1-1.  He also asked in terms of ambulances, if the department was looking for more of a custom design.  Chief Rivera answered that what they are looking at is similar to what they already have, which is a van style which is similar to what the private ambulance companies have been using and they have been informed that they have not experienced any cracking of the frames, which is one of the biggest issues the department has experienced with their ambulance fleet.  He added that they will be looking at certain criteria specific to SFFD to maintain the standard for the vehicle.

 

Commissioner Hardeman thanked Chief Gonzales for his wonderful report and acknowledged all the activity that goes on monthly in the Department along with the increase in call volume that they respond to.  He announced that Chief Hayes-White being honored as Fire Chief of the Year is a real tribute to San Francisco.  He stated that the Golden Gate Golf Course was the first course he ever played golf on.  He recommended adjourning the meeting in honor of the firefighters that lost their lives recently in the California wildland fires.  He also thought it was a good idea to take the ambulances for test runs and get a good feel for all the options.  He confirmed that the response times are meeting the goals.

 

Commissioner Covington thanked Chief Gonzales for his reports and asked him to speak more about the accessory units and comprehensive plans being put together by various departments.  Chief De Cossio explained that the intent and main goal of the city is to increase the number of affordable housing units and in doing so there is a push and drive to increase the number of accessory dwelling units, which are basically in apartment buildings on the ground floor, which usually contains the garage and changing them into residential spaces.  He explained the current code and coming up with solutions to provide enhancements without compromising the level of protection and safety.  He added that the biggest challenge is for single exit exceptions and most of the units cannot meet the exception because you have minimum widths and limited space and to meet the single exit exception, you have to fully sprinkler the building on the ground floor.  He explained in detail the requirements and the involvement of the Fire Department, Department of Building Inspection and Planning Department in dealing with this issue.  Commissioner Covington asked that once the plans have been finalized, she would like him to share it with the Commission as housing is such a big issue for San Francisco.  Commissioner Covington confirmed that the ambulances they are currently looking at are different from the ones that Chief Nicholson and Chief Zanoff looked at in L.A.  The ones they are currently looking at are actually the same chassis that the Department currently has, but the box which is called the module is actually shorter in length, shorter in height, and narrower in width, which equates to approximately a thousand pound weight reduction for the chassis to support.  He added that they have been working with EMS to try and find a vehicle that will fit the Department’s needs.  Commissioner Covington confirmed that the money that was earmarked for the ambulances and not spent yet, will roll over into the next budget.  She also confirmed that the Fire Department has been in constant discussion on resolving the issues of the SFPD’s police cars at fire scenes and what the expectations are.

 

Commissioner Veronese stated that in regards to the accessory dwelling units, he would like to hear from the stakeholders, because one of the greatest frustrations is when they go to apply for permits, they have so many hoops to go through between the different agencies that have to sign off on the permits and he thinks it would be a good idea to let them know what the thinking behind the proposals are and that the department will never compromise on safety and because the end goal is to create the housing, we need to make sure that we’re incentivizing people who actually do that.  Commissioner Veronese confirmed that the process for the grant writer position is underway and an offer of employment was to go out.  He also confirmed that Station 16 has been delayed because of an issue with the fuel and oil delivery system.  He congratulated the Chief on her award and that he was proud of her.

 

President Cleaveland asked what the average time is for an approval of an accessory dwelling unit.  Chief De Cossio responded that it’s an average of eight weeks.  He confirmed that the Fire Department is the third step in the process.  Chief De Cossio added that the requirements for ADU’s are in the code at the State level, opted by the state fire marshal and they cannot just waive the requirements but they can come up with equivalencies and that’s what they are trying to do, to give the applicant alternative paths to take and not just shut down the project.  He also congratulated the Chief on her award.

 

There was no public comment.

 

5. RESOLUTION 2018-03 [Discussion and possible action]

Resolution Recommending That The Board Of Supervisors Authorize The San Francisco Fire Department To Accept A Donation Of A Roof Prop Valued At $24,417 From JNJ Roof Prop For The Department’s Training Division

 

Commissioner Covington Moved to recommend that the Board of Supervisors support the Resolution.  Commissioner Hardeman Seconded.  Motion to approve above resolution was unanimous.  Fire Commission Secretary read Resolution 2018-03 into the record.

 

There was no public comment.

 

6. COMMISSION REPORT [Discussion]

Report on Commission activities since last meeting on July 25, 2018.

 

President Cleaveland stated that he met with officials from the Academy of Art regarding one of the departments deteriorated historic fire engines, a 1928 Ahren-Fox engine and he’s hoping the Academy of Art will adopt it and restore it.  He asked that any companies in the city that would be willing to adopt one of our historic fire apparatus that are desperately in need of being rebuilt and restored to please contact the Department or the Commission.

 

7. AGENDA FOR NEXT AND FUTURE FIRE COMMISSION MEETINGS [Discussion]

Discussion regarding agenda for next and future Fire Commission meetings.

 

Commissioner Veronese spoke about his upcoming stair climb on September 8th at 555 California Street to raise money for first responders and PTSD and that it’s open to the public and encouraged all to participate and sign up at SFStairClimb.com.

 

• Update on Chief’s Residence

• Peer Support Resolution

• Acknowledge Anne Kronenberg or send a letter thanking her for her service

• Housing issue

• Wildland Fires/Cancer Prevention General Order

• SF Black Firefighter’s Youth Academy

 

 

There was no public comment.

 

8. POSSIBLE CLOSED SESSION REGARDING EXISTING LITIGATION

 

President Cleaveland called for public comment.  There was no public comment.

 

 

a. VOTE ON WHETHER TO CONDUCT ITEMS 8(b) IN CLOSED SESSION [Action]

 

Commissioner Hardeman made a motion to conduct item 8(b) in Closed Session.  Commissioner Covington seconded, and the motion was unanimously approved.  (5-0; Cleaveland, Nakajo, Hardeman, Covington, Veronese)

 

The Commission went into closed session at 10:39 a.m.

 

Also present was Deputy City Attorney, Jonathan Rolnick.

 

Commissioner Alioto Veronese recused himself from closed session discussions at 10:48.

 

The Commission may hear Item 8(b) regarding existing litigation in closed session if it votes to invoke the attorney-client privilege (Government Code § 54956.9; Administrative Code § 67.10(d)).  

 

b. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION. Conference with legal counsel to discuss existing litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(a), (c), (d), and Administrative Code Section 67.10(d)(1) and possible recommendation to the Board of Supervisors for settlement approval or to take other action.  [Action item]

 

Existing Litigation:

Montes v. City and County of San Francisco 

United States District Court Case No. 17—CV-02928 JSC

 

9. REPORT ON ANY ACTION TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION [Discussion and possible action] as specified in California Government Code Section 54957.1(a) and San Francisco Administrative Code section 67.12(b).

 

The Commission reconvened in Open Session at 10:59 a.m.  President Cleaveland reported that the Commission unanimously agreed to recommend to the Board of Supervisors for settlement approval of the above existing litigation.

 

10. VOTE TO ELECT WHETHER TO DISCLOSE ANY OR ALL DISCUSSIONS HELD IN CLOSED SESSION, as specified in San Francisco Administrative Code Section 67.12(a).   [Action]

 

Commissioner Hardeman Moved to not disclose discussions held in closed session.  Commissioner Covington Seconded.  The motion was unanimously approved.  (4-0; Cleaveland, Nakajo, Hardeman, Covington)

 

11. ADJOURNMENT

 

President Cleaveland adjourned the meeting at 11:00 a.m. in the memory of Captain Brian Hughes from Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park and Braden Varney of Mariposa, a bulldozer operator for the California Dept. of Forestry and Fire Protection whom both died fighting the California Wildland Fires.