Wednesday, December 8, 2021 – 9:00 a.m.  – 12:00 p.m.

This meeting was held remotely on WebEx

The Video can be viewed by clicking this link:  https://sanfrancisco.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=180&clip_id=40037

President Feinstein called the meeting to order at 9:01 a.m.

President Feinstein read the Ramaytush Ohlone Land Acknowledgement.

2.         RESOLUTION 2021-05 [Discussion and possible action]

Resolution making findings to allow teleconferenced meetings under California Government Code Section 54953(e)

Commissioner Covington Moved to adopt the Resolution.  Commissioner Cleaveland Seconded.  The motion was unanimous.

There was no public comment.

3.         PUBLIC COMMENT

There was no public comment.

4.         APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES [Discussion and possible action]

Discussion and possible action to approve meeting minutes.

• Minutes from Regular Meeting on November 10, 2021.

Commissioner Cleaveland Moved to approve the minutes and Commissioner Covington Seconded. The motion was unanimous.

There was no public comment.

5.         CHIEF OF DEPARTMENT’S REPORT [Discussion]

REPORT FROM CHIEF OF DEPARTMENT, JEANINE NICHOLSON

Report on current issues, activities, and events within the Department since the Fire Commission meeting on October 13, 2021, including budget, academies, special events, communications, and outreach to other government agencies and the public and introduction of Rescue Captain Beth Goudreau for whom the Fire Commission will acknowledge their appreciation for her heroic efforts on August 16, 2021.

Chief Nicholson reported on activities since the last meeting on November 10, 2021.  She expressed her gratitude to Chief Velo and Chief Dewitt for their invaluable service, diligence, and support to the Department. She announced that she would be excusing herself from the meeting to present at the Budget and Finance Committee of the Board of Supervisors for the supplemental request to fund an additional 50 FTE's for ambulance staffing.  She added that she is confident that this item will be forwarded to the full board for approval and that she is grateful to the mayor’s office and elected officials for their support, as well as the controller’s office and everyone who has worked so hard to get the department to this point. She described the events she attended including carving turkeys at St. Anthony’s, Glide Memorial, and the Salvation Army; a food give-away in Chinatown, and three holiday tree lighting ceremonies.

Chief Nicholson stated that Chief Tong is holding interviews this week for the next EMS class that was funded in the recent budget and that Chief Pang has been participating in many meetings regarding the deployment of the community paramedics and onboarding more of them in early 2022.  She added that the Street Crisis Response Team celebrated one year in service on November 30^th, 2021, and she acknowledged Chief Pang and Chief Tong for all their hard work.  She mentioned that she and Chief Tong attended an EMS meeting with California Metro chiefs in Southern California last week which was insightful and that SFFD is ahead of the curve in comparison to other cities when it comes to staffing and wait times at hospitals with their creative thinking outside the box which will have a big impact long term on the system.  She mentioned that they have several meetings scheduled to finalize the legislation needed to be passed at the state level for the fire training facility which is owned by the Port which she hopes will be introduced in January.  She concluded her report by stating that several members were honored at the Board of Supervisors meeting last Tuesday for a significant rescue they did last year where someone was trapped on the rocks.

Vice President Nakajo thanked Chief Nicholson for her report and acknowledged that she needed to leave for the budget meeting.

Commissioner Covington confirmed that the future property for the training facility is at 1236 Caroll, and there are two pieces of property at that site and on one they are in contract with Prologis on a lease to own and on the second property which is owned by the Port, they have gone through the State Lands Commission and gotten their support but they need to go through legislation to approve the sale of it, which they are working with the Mayor’s office on.  Commissioner Covington thanked everyone who has been working on this training site development and confirmed that if everything goes well, they will have the green light at the end of January and that it will be funded by ESER Bond money and money allocated in the budget and they anticipate a brick-and-mortar building at a minimum of five years.  Commissioner Covington also confirmed that the Department has been working with TIDA on an exit plan from the training facility on Treasure Island.

There was no public comment.

REPORT FROM ADMINISTRATION, DEPUTY CHIEF JOSE VELO

Report on the Administrative Divisions, Fleet and Facility status and updates, Finance, Support Services, and Training within the Department.

Chief Velo presented his October and November 2021 reports. He announced that the 128th academy class is going to graduate 35 recruits on December 23, 2021.  He added that they are projecting 3 academy classes in 2022.  He also stated that they have 42 recruits remaining in the L1 EMT academy out of 44 and will graduate in five weeks.  He touched on other in-service trainings being offered including a grant-funded class from UASI hazmat series.  He stated that Chief Peoples has been extremely busy in the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Office and continues to work with the CORE, Committee Leadership, Career Development Workgroup and are working on a process for future promotional requirements for members who want to promote as well as expanding outreach and recruitment.  He touched on the Health, Safety, and Wellness Division, the Physician's Office, Homeland Security, and ISB.  He acknowledged the tremendous work by Chief DeWitt and stated it has been a pleasure to work with her.  He provided an overview of the work provided by the Support Services Bureau.  He mentioned that Chief O’Connor has been extremely busy conducting drills on how the AWSS system works.  Chief Velo announced that the Department has formed a Grants Committee and he explained how that committee functions.  He thanked Chief Nicholson for her support for allowing him to serve the Department in his current capacity and finish his career serving in an administrative way to support the troops.  He also thanked the Commissioners for their support.

President Feinstein noted how busy Chief Kaialoa has been and noted that the number of things he has accomplished in his short tenure is to be commended and she thanked him for all the energy he is putting in.  She mentioned that she was happy that Dr. Brokaw has been conducting station visits and talking about mental health.  She added that it is important to get our suppression people masked, especially in the station houses and when they’re out in public, they need to set a good example.  She stated it is hard to enforce rules when those in uniform aren’t following them.  She had Chief Velo explain how overtime works in the department.  President Feinstein confirmed that all the problems happening at Station 14 seems to be a fluke, although the generator is 50 years old and slated to be replaced, as well as aging facilities.  She also confirmed that the existing Station 35 has neither gas, electricity nor water at this point and has nothing to do with the new build.  Regarding Station 14, she confirmed that it took 19 months for DBI to get a permit for the additional Focus Scope program.  She confirmed with Chief O’Connor the different sources of water available to the Department, including Pump Stations 1 and 2, Lake Merced, Hetch Hetchy, cisterns, etc.  President Feinstein wished Chief DeWitt well in her retirement and how they are going to miss her, as it has been a pleasure working with her.

Commissioner Cleaveland congratulated Chief Velo and Chief DeWitt on their retirements and that he appreciates their service.  He mentioned that he was glad to see the Outreach Department on social media and that they are doing a better job of reaching the younger generation in terms of opportunities within the Department.  He also commended Chief Parks on the Wellness at Work presentation and suggested presenting it at a future commission meeting.

Commissioner Covington stated she will miss both Chief Velo and Chief DeWitt.  She thanked them for their good work and oversight.  She stated that Chief Velo was leaving her on a high note with the formation of a Grants Committee, as she has been banging that drum and she hopes to get lots of grants from individuals, foundations as well as other governmental agencies that they haven't tapped previously because they compete with every other department in the country when it comes to funding.  Chief Velo added that it was Mark Corso who gets credit for forming the Grants Committee.  Commissioner Covington suggested that the next time Mr. Corso presents on the Budget that he provide an overview of the Grants Committee.

Commissioner Morgan congratulated Chief Velo and Chief Dewitt on their upcoming retirements and thanked them for their service.

Vice President Nakajo thanked his fellow commissioners in terms of their oversight responsibilities, questions, comments, suggestions over the years as well as Commissioner Covington’s advocacy on forming a grants committee.  He thanked Chief O’Connor for his participation in the meeting.  He confirmed with Chief Nicholson the process of replacing CD2 and CD3, where she had an interview panel for 10 applicants and brought back five of those applicants for a second interview.  Chief Nicholson added that she hopes to announce the replacements at the end of the week.  Vice President Nakajo confirmed that the mental health station visits were conducted by Dr. Brokaw, paramedic behavior team member Jennifer Green, and Behavioral Health Unit member Kathy Gilbraith.  Their goal is to get to every station in the Department within the next year.  He confirmed with Chief O’Connor that the work being done on 19^th Avenue, Clarendon Avenue, and Pump Station 2 as well as the Vicente pipeline are all part of the 2014 and 2020 ESER Bond and while the streets are open for other repair projects, they are putting the new pipes in for a new Potable Emergency Firefighting Water System.  Vice President Nakajo welcomed Assistant Deputy Chief Serrano who will be replacing Chief DeWitt.  Chief Serrano introduced himself and stated he appreciates the opportunity to do the best for the Department and the city.  Vice President Nakajo expressed his appreciation of Chief DeWitt and Chief Velo and wished them well in their retirements.

Chef DeWitt thanked many people as well as Chief Nicholson for giving her this opportunity for entrusting her with the position overseeing Support Services.  She acknowledged Chief Velo for being a great boss and Roman for backing her from day one.  She gave a big shout-out to Senior Engineer, Avo Sarkissian for his guidance and expertise.  She told the commissioners that it has been a pleasure working here.

There was no public comment.

6.         FIRE COMMISSION MEETING CALENDAR 2022 [Discussion and possible action]

Discussion and possible action to adopt the 2022 Fire Commission Regular Meeting calendar.

Commissioner Cleavland Moved to adopt the 2022 Meeting calendar.  Commissioner Covington seconded.  The motion was unanimously approved.

There was no public comment.

7.         COMMISSION REPORT [Discussion]

Report on Commission activities since last meeting of September 8, 2021.

There was nothing to report.

There was no public comment.

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

Discussion regarding agenda for next and future Fire Commission meetings.

There was no public comment.

• Update from Fire Marshal
• Budget update
• Grants Committee update
• FC 2021-03 Deliberations
• Election of Officers
• Guardians of the City

There was no public comment.

9.         ADJOURNMENT

President Feinstein adjourned the meeting in honor of the careers of two tremendous firefighters that have served us from the bottom to the top, Chief Velo and Chief DeWitt at 10:53 a.m.