Fire Commission - July 28, 2021
Agenda
Agenda full text
SAN FRANCISCO 
FIRE COMMISSION
Fire Commission Regular Meeting
July 28, 2021, 5:00 p.m.
AGENDA
Remote Meeting via video and teleconferencing (see below links and phone numbers)
This meeting is being held by WebEx pursuant to the Governor’s Executive Orders Mayoral Proclamations Declaring the Existence of a Local Emergency.
During the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) emergency, the Fire Commission’s regular meeting room at City Hall is closed, and meetings of the Fire Commission will convene remotely.
Watch live at www.sfgovtv.org
Participating During Public Comment: By Phone
Public Comment Call in number is:
1-415-655-0001
Access Code: 146 949 4364
Members of the public will have opportunities to participate during public comment. The public is asked to wait for the particular agenda item before making a comment on that item. Comments will be addressed in the order they are received. When the moderator announces that the Commission is taking public comment, members of the public can:
- Raise hand” by pressing * 3 and you will be queued.
- Callers will hear silence when waiting for your turn to speak. Operator will unmute you.
- When prompted, callers will have the standard three minutes to provide comment.
- Ensure you are in a quiet location.
- Speak clearly.
- Turn off any TVs or radios around you.
Item No.
1. ROLL CALL
|
President |
Katherine Feinstein |
|
Commissioner |
Stephen A. Nakajo |
|
Commissioner |
Francee Covington |
|
Commissioner |
Ken Cleaveland |
|
|
|
|
Chief of Department |
Jeanine Nicholson |
2. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT
Members of the public may address the Commission for up to three minutes on any matter within the Commission’s jurisdiction that does not appear on the agenda. Speakers shall address their remarks to the Commission as a whole and not to individual Commissioners or Department personnel. Commissioners are not to enter into debate or discussion with a speaker. The lack of a response by the Commissioners or Department personnel does not necessarily constitute agreement with or support of statements made during 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 14, 2021.
4. 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 July 14, 2021, including budget, academies, special events, communications, and outreach to other government agencies and the public.
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.
5. COMMISSION REPORT [Discussion]
Report on Commission activities since last meeting of July 14, 2021.
6. FIRE COMMISSION ELECTION OF OFFICER [Discussion and possible action]
Due to the unexpected death of Vice President Tony Rodriguez, there is a vacancy in the position of Commission Vice President.
- Nomination and election of Commission Vice-President.
7. AGENDA FOR NEXT AND FUTURE FIRE COMMISSION MEETINGS [Discussion]
Discussion regarding agenda for next and future Fire Commission meetings.
8. ADJOURNMENT
San Francisco Fire Commission
NOTICE OF COMMISSION PROCEDURES
Commission Meeting Schedule and Location
The Fire Commission will meet regularly on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month at San Francisco City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco, CA 94102. The second Wednesday in Room 416 at 9:00 a.m. and the fourth Wednesday in Room 400 at 5:00 p.m.
Commission Office
The Fire Commission Office is located at 698 Second Street, Room 220, San Francisco, CA 94107. The Fire Commission telephone number is (415) 558-3451; the fax number is (415) 558-3413. The web address is http://sf-fire.org/fire-commission-home. Office hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Language Access
Per the Language Access Ordinance (Chapter 91 of the San Francisco Administrative Code), Chinese, Spanish and or Filipino (Tagalog) interpreters will be available upon requests. Meeting Minutes may be translated, if requested, after they have been adopted by the Commission. Assistance in additional languages may be honored whenever possible. To request assistance with these services please contact the Commission Secretary at (415) 558-3451, or fire.commission@sfgov.org at least 48 hours in advance of the hearing. Late requests will be honored if possible.
Information on Disability Access
The hearing rooms in City Hall are wheelchair accessible. The closest accessible BART station is the Civic Center Station at United Nations Plaza and Market Street. Accessible MUNI lines serving this location are: #42 Downtown Loop, and #71 Haight/Noriega and the F Line to Market and Van Ness and the Metro Stations at Van Ness and Market and at Civic Center. For information about MUNI accessible services call (415) 923-6142. There is accessible curbside parking adjacent to City Hall on Grove Street and Van Ness Avenue and in the vicinity of the Veterans Building at 401 Van Ness Avenue adjacent to Davies Hall and the War Memorial Complex. For more information about MUNI accessible services, call (415) 701-4485.
To obtain a disability-related modification or accommodation, including auxiliary aids or services, to participate in the meeting, please contact the Commission Secretary at least two business days before the meeting at (415) 558-3451 to make arrangements. Late requests will be honored, if possible.
To assist the City’s efforts to accommodate persons with severe allergies, environmental illnesses, multiple chemical sensitivity or related disabilities, attendees at public meetings are reminded that other attendees may be sensitive to various chemical based products. Please help the City to accommodate these individuals.
Policy on use of Cell Phones, Pagers and Similar Sound-Producing Electronic Devices at and During Public Meetings
The ringing and use of cell phones, pagers and similar sound-producing electronic devices are prohibited at Fire Commission meetings. Please be advised that the Chair may order the removal from the meeting room of any person(s) responsible for the ringing or use of a cell phone, pager, or other similar sound-producing electronic device.
Documents for Public Inspection
Documents referred to in this agenda, if not otherwise exempt from disclosure, are available for public inspection and copying at the Fire Commission Office. If any materials related to an item on this agenda are distributed to the Fire Commission after distribution of the agenda packet, those materials, if not otherwise exempt from disclosure, are also available for public inspection at the Fire Commission Office, 698 Second Street, room 220, San Francisco, during normal office hours.
Know Your Rights under the Sunshine Ordinance
(Chapter 67 of the San Francisco Administrative Code)
Government's duty is to serve the public, reaching its decisions in full view of the public. Commissions, boards, councils and other agencies of the City and County exist to conduct the people’s business. This ordinance assures that deliberations are conducted before the people and that City operations are open to the people’s review. For more information on your rights under the sunshine ordinance or to report a violation of the ordinance, contact the sunshine ordinance task force. You may contact the Sunshine Ordinance Task Force Administrator, as follows: Sunshine Ordinance Task Force, City Hall, Room 244, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco, CA 94102-4689, Phone: (415) 554-7724, Fax: (415) 554-5784, E-mail: sotf@sfgov.org. Copies of the Sunshine Ordinance can be obtained from the Clerk of the Sunshine Task Force, the San Francisco Public Library and on the City’s Web site at http://www.sfgov.org.
San Francisco Lobbyist Ordinance
Individuals and entities that influence or attempt to influence local policy or administrative action may be required by the San Francisco Lobbyist Ordinance (San Francisco Campaign and Governmental Conduct Code sections 2.100 – 2.160) to register and report lobbying activity. For more information about the Lobbyist Ordinance, please contact the Ethics Commission at 30 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 3900, San Francisco, CA 94102, telephone (415) 581-2300, fax (415) 581-2317 and Web site: http://www.sfgov.org/ethics/.
Minutes
Minutes full text
FIRE COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
DRAFT MINUTES
Wednesday, July 28, 2021 – 5:00 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=39083
President Feinstein called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
|
Commission President |
Katherine Feinstein |
Present |
|
Commissioner |
Stephen Nakajo |
Present |
|
Commissioner |
Francee Covington |
Present |
|
Commissioner |
Ken Cleaveland |
Present |
|
|
|
|
|
Chief of Department |
Jeanine Nicholson |
Present. |
|
Bryan Rubenstein |
Deputy Chief -- Operations |
|
Jose Velo |
Deputy Chief --Administration |
|
|
|
|
Shayne Kaialoa |
Division of Training |
|
Sandy Tong |
EMS |
|
Mark Johnson and David Brown |
Airport Division |
|
Ken Cofflin |
Bureau of Fire Prevention |
|
Dawn DeWitt |
Support Services |
|
Erica Arteseros |
Homeland Security |
|
Natasha Parks |
Health and Wellness |
|
Tom O’Connor |
AWSS |
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Staff |
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|
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 14, 2021.
There was no public comment.
4. 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 May 12, 2021, including budget, academies, special events, communications, and outreach to other government agencies and the public.
Chief Nicholson reported on activities since the last meeting on July 14, 2021. She announced that the Delta variant of COVID 19 is starting to see a spike in infections in San Francisco and they are still appealing to members who have not been vaccinated to get vaccinated. She added that the Department of Human Recourses issued a vaccination policy for city employees and the first thing that must be done is for employees need to enter their vaccination status on the employee portal. She added that they are also asking people to wear their masks again indoors. She also announced that on August 2nd, the 128th Firefighter Academy begins with 42 recruits and the kids from City EMT begin their internships in the Department as civilians earning hours on the ambulances. She added that City EMT is something that the department wanted to make happen and they started with 15 kids and 13 ended up finishing the program and she sees it as a pipeline into the Department, and she is excited about it as it is her vision to build some foundation and structure to ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion in the Department. She announced that the Board of Supervisors approved the final budget, and they are now waiting for the Mayor to sign off on it and once that happens Mark Corso will report on the approved budget at the next meeting.
Commissioner Nakajo thanked Chief Nicholson for her report and summarized the vaccine mandate for city employees and individual choices of members on spiritual or religious and health requirements. Chief Nicholson added that there will be a mandate down the road for all members to be vaccinated.
Commissioner Covington confirmed that about 75 percent of members have been vaccinated. She commended Chief Nicholson on launching the City EMT program as she believes it’s an important step for young people who may not have previously in the past considered a career in the fire service or to become medics. She also confirmed that they are currently accepting applications for the next City EMT class which will have about 16 students.
Commissioner Cleaveland also commended the Chief for pursuing the program to bring inner-city youth into the fire Department and for elevating Simon Pang as the new Assistant Deputy Chief for Paramedicine and Brice Peoples as Assistant Deputy Chief of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Division.
President Feinstein expressed her concerns about the low number of members vaccinated in the Department and wondered why they would not get vaccinated. Chief Nicholson stated that all members are still wearing their PPE's on all calls where they go into anyone's home and they are still working on getting more members vaccinated and that it will be a requirement sooner rather than later, but she does not know the reasons why of those who are not vaccinated. President Feinstein confirmed that there will be consequences for those who aren’t vaccinated without a valid excuse once the mandate goes into effect.
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 June 2021 report. He mentioned that the fire season is in full effect, and they have 23 members deployed throughout California and Oregon fighting the Salt fire, Beckworth Complex fire, and the Dixie fire. He added that this fire season has increased 257 percent compared to this time last year. He confirmed that the 128th academy class will start on August 2, 2021, and the recruits that were able to make it were invited to a pre-tower event where they were able to touch some equipment such as the SCBAs, hose, and ladders. He added that tonight there is an orientation for those recruits and families to explain what to expect during the academy as well as getting the families involved and aware so they can support them. Chief Velo described the in-service training that is happening at the Department of Training and the drills taking place at the Airport. He mentioned that Chief Parks continues to do a lot of good work working with the doctor's office and they have had several OSHA conferences to deal with some issues. He talked about a company called OX that will come and train the trainer on fitness, nutrition, and overall wellness. He touched on the Physician's Office, the Investigative Services Bureau, and Support Services with a brief update on Station 35 and a fleet update. He mentioned that Commissioner Nakajo and Commissioner Cleaveland attended the AWSS drill/demonstration that they hosted with PUC on July 15, 2021, and he thanked Chief O’Connor for putting it together. He also mentioned that there is a Level 1 academy going on with 18 members that are due to graduate on August 20, 2021.
Commissioner Nakajo thanked Chief Velo for his comprehensive report and stated he appreciates all the areas that he covers, and he’s amazed at the vast amount of responsibility and oversight he is responsible for, which includes training, health and wellness, physician's office, investigation, research, planning, support services, PUC and Human Resources. He also acknowledged Chief DeWitt for the detailed aspects of her report; Chief Kaialoa for including the members of station 49 into the academy at the same time the H-2 recruits start and Chief Pang and Peoples into their new roles.
President Feinstein asked for more information on the OES Type 6 recall. Chief Velo responded that the OES Type 6s are the green apparatus they received from the State and there was a factory recall that had to be fixed before they put staff into it and respond to mutual aid fires. He confirmed that it was not a safety issue, but it had to be done and it is at no cost to the Department.
Commissioner Covington thanked Chief Velo for his comprehensive report and thanked Commissioner Nakajo for his comprehensive review. She mentioned that she is also impressed with the fact that the folks from 49 are starting with everyone else because to have a cohesive cohort, everybody starts at the same time and does all the grunt work together and bonds are built for life. She was also happy with the news on the hose tenders and was sorry to have missed the demonstration and thanked everyone who worked on the Emergency Water Supply System demonstration. She suggested that the commissioners get a heads up in advance so they can plan accordingly.
President Feinstein agreed that more notice would be appreciated when it comes to invites.
Commissioner Cleaveland commended Chief O’Connor for the well-orchestrated event demonstrating the AWSS system. He also confirmed that the BOE is still working from the 24th street facility and some of the logistical support staff is working from the 1415 Evans warehouse.
There was no public comment.
5. COMMISSION REPORT [Discussion]
Report on Commission activities since last meeting of July 14, 2021.
Commissioner Nakajo stated that regarding the performance evaluation of the commission secretary, he had a meeting with the Department's HR Director, Jesusa Bushong to get some clarity and direction and is ready to start the process.
There was nothing to report.
6. FIRE COMMISSION ELECTION OF OFFICER [Discussion and possible action]
Due to the unexpected death of Vice President Tony Rodriguez, there is a vacancy in the position of Commission Vice President.
- Nomination and election of Commission Vice-President.
Commissioner Cleaveland nominated Commissioner Nakajo as Vice President of the Fie Commission. Commissioner Covington seconded. The motion was unanimous, and Commissioner Nakajo accepted the position.
President Feinstein thanked Vice President Nakajo for accepting the position and acknowledged his incredible understanding of the Department and that she looks forward to working and learning from him.
Vice President Nakajo stated that it is an honor and privilege to serve the San Francisco Fire Department.
There was no public comment.
7. AGENDA FOR NEXT AND FUTURE FIRE COMMISSION MEETINGS [Discussion]
Discussion regarding agenda for next and future Fire Commission meetings.
There was no public comment.
- Review of the Strategic Plan
There was no public comment.
8. ADJOURNMENT
President Feinstein adjourned the at 6:12 p.m.