Fire Commission - June 13, 2018

 

 

The Video can be viewed by clicking this link:  http://sanfrancisco.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=180&clip_id=30…

 

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

 

1. ROLL CALL

 

Commission President Ken Cleaveland Excused

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 Present

 

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

Jose Velo Division 2

Jack Cremen Division 3

 

Staff

Mark Corso Deputy Director of Finance

Elaine Walters CFO

Olivia Scanlon Communications and Outreach

Tony Boone Director of Occupational Environmental Health and Safety

 

Vice President Nakajo asked Commissioner Alioto Veronese to introduce a special guest at the meeting.  Commissioner Alioto Veronese introduced his son Augustus Alioto Veronese, who is on summer break.

 

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 May 23, 2018.

 

Commissioner Hardeman Moved to approve the above meeting Minutes.  Commissioner Veronese Seconded.  Motion to approve above Minutes was unanimous.

 

There was no public comment.

 

4. PRESENTATION FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S AIRPORT DIVISION [Discussion]

Assistant Deputy Chief Khairul Ali to present an overview on the Department’s Airport Division.

 

Chief Ali introduced herself and stated that Ivar Satero is the current Airport Director at the San Francisco International Airport which opened in 1927 as Mills Field.  She presented the attached PowerPoint.  She mentioned that the airport employs approximately 30,000 employees and has over 300 structures and they continue to build and grow with a new hotel in the works as well.  She added that the SFFD daily staff at the airport consists of herself, a battalion chief, a rescue captain, a captain, three lieutenants, 17 firefighters, two medics, and one bike medic.  They have one civilian employee, Ms. Jayn Feyling who has been the Executive Secretary for the last 37 years.  Chief Ali went on to describe the apparatus, equipment, training, and expectations at the airport.  She also mentioned that the airport is in the process of installing a new underground hydrant system that will expedite the refilling of apparatus without having to return to the station.  She touched on responsibilities of responding to marine disasters, using the Marine Emergency Response Facility where the Moose boat, Rescue 55, the Boston Whaler, Rescue 99, personal watercraft vehicles and the airboat are located.

 

Commissioner Covington thanked Chief Ali for her report and asked for more information on the Marine Unit.  Chief Ali explained that the moose boat can carry up to 10 people and is the fastest of the Marine fleet and she described the purpose of the rest of the apparatus.  Commissioner Covington acknowledged how generous the Airport is to the Fire Department.  She confirmed that the new Fire Station at the Airport is soundproof, that they have positive pressure in the building and that the living quarters are all upstairs and separated from the apparatus floor.  Commissioner Covington also confirmed that there is a need for more bike medics and that they hope to have two more by the end of the year and that she supports the bike medic program.  Chief Ali explained the differences between Halon and Halotron, and that once you use these agents to extinguish a fire on a plane, it destroys the engine.

 

Commissioner Veronese thanked Chief Ali for her report and confirmed that the MERF Unit is staffed with a dedicated boat operator who works out of Station 2 at the Airport (crash house) and he confirmed that the new anticipated boat they are expecting at the end of the year will be equipped with CBRNE (chemical biological radiological nuclear and explosive detections).

 

Commissioner Hardeman thanked Chief Ali for her wonderful report and he confirmed that runway 28 can accommodate aircraft 380’s, which are big planes.  He also confirmed that the average tenure for members at the airport is about 15 years, but with the retirement projections, they will be in need of more firefighters at the airport.

 

Vice President Nakajo thanked Chief Ali for her comprehensive report and confirmed that they currently have about five boat operators and are in the process of training additional drivers.  He also acknowledged that he greatly appreciates the support of the Airport and the Airport Commission.

 

5. OVERVIEW OF FIRE DEPARTMENT BUDGET [Discussion]

Update and overview from Director Mark Corso on the current budget.

 

Mark Corso presented the attached overview of the Fire Department budget.  Mr. Corso highlighted what was approved and presented to the Mayor’s Proposed Budget Discussions which consists of $400 million for the current cycle and $401 million for fiscal year 2018-2019, with the majority of the budget going towards salaries and benefits.  He explained the presented slides in detail by summarizing the budget highlights and initiatives.

 

Commissioner Veronese confirmed that the listed personal watercraft referred to in his Mr. Corso’s report are jet skis and is being requested to refresh the current inventory and that the mobile air replacement refers to the replacement of the mobile air vehicle which responds to greater incidents and refills oxygen bottles for the crews.  Mr. Corso explained that the $400,000 line items for shower replacement are for replacement and repair to showers in the fire stations.

 

Commissioner Hardeman thanked Mr. Corso for his efficient presentation and acknowledged that the showers have been big complaints for many years and he was glad to see a line item for the repairs in the budget.  He also acknowledged the great work that Mayor Farrell has done in his five months as Mayor.

 

Commissioner Covington thanked Mr. Corso for his presentation and mentioned that she thought the budget is looking pretty good.  She added that the kitchens are the heart of the firehouses and it is where the members gather and since the firefighters spend so much time in the firehouse, they deserve decent accommodations.  She asked if there was currently any planning in the works for new firehouses in the Hunter's Point area.  Mr. Corso stated that they are in discussions around the development of these areas, but they are not included in the two-year budget projections he has reported on, but most likely will be in the budget 4 to five years out.

 

Vice President Nakajo confirmed that getting to a $400,000,000 budget is obviously a milestone and part of it is the increases over the past few years that have pushed it up is due to the hiring plan and other initiatives that the department has undergone.  Mr. Corso added that they are very appreciative of the support of the Commission, the Mayor’s Office and the Board of Supervisors.  Vice President Nakajo confirmed that the budget contains money for four more H-2 academies over two budget years.  He also confirmed that the $500,000 planning grant is for the planning of the new training facility but does not include work in terms of identifying a site.  Mr. Corso added that there’s also a portion for the training facility specifically and also general bond projects like seismic work where they’re doing a complete analysis of the needs of all stations.  He confirmed that the public will have an opportunity to make public comment regarding the budget at the June 18, 2018 Board of Supervisors meeting.

 

6 CHIEF OF DEPARTMENT’S REPORT [Discussion]

REPORT FROM CHIEF OF DEPARTMENT, JOANNE HAYES-WHITE

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 Hayes-White reported on events since the last meeting on May 23, 2018.  She welcomed Augustus to the meeting and mentioned to him that she had the pleasure of knowing his great-grandfather.  She acknowledged Battalion Chief Jack Cremen who was sitting in as Division 2 Chief and mentioned that he would be retiring at the end of the month.  With regards to the budget she announced that on Friday, she will be presenting before the Budget and Finance committee and stated she would share the budget analyst report once she receives it.  With regards to academies, she mentioned that the 124th academy is currently in their 12th week with 50 recruits remaining and she acknowledged the great job the Division of Training is doing.

 

Chief Hayes-White touched on activities since the last meeting, including attending the EMS appreciation week events, the Memorial Day ceremony, she attended a press conference with Mayor Farrell and the Department of Emergency Management Director Anne Kronenberg to highlight the budget that Mayor Farrell was going to be presenting in the coming days and the investment that he’s making in public safety departments.  Chief Hayes-White mentioned that she was asked to do research on Kate Kennedy who immigrated from Ireland in the 1840’s and made a lasting impact on San Francisco and California History in terms of advocating for equal pay for equal work and the tenure provision for teachers in the State of California.  On June 4, 2018, she attended the pride month kick off flag raising at City Hall and she also met with Commissioner Covington at the SFFD Headquarters’ lobby to discuss how to repopulate the lobby apace after the renovation that has been done to the pump station.  Chief Hayes-White also attended a meeting on the 11th where the Port presented plans for Station 35 to the Bay Conversation and Development Commission.  She thanked Commissioner Hardeman for also attending that meeting.  She also acknowledged Deputy Chief Nicholson, Chief Rivera, Captain McPartland and Olivia Scanlon for the work they have done with BCDC on the design of Station 35.  She announced that the Juneteenth Parade is scheduled for Saturday in the Western Addition.  She also announced that the Terry Smerdel dedication is scheduled for June 20, 2018, in the lobby of SFFD Headquarters.  She asked that the meeting be adjourned in the memory of retired Battalion Chief Joe McCarthy.

 

Commissioner Hardeman thanked the Chief for her report and mentioned how appreciative he is for all her active efforts in representing the Department 24 hours a day.  He mentioned that he has always been fond of Station 35 and the fireboats and he is very impressed with the design of the new Station and was glad the BCDC was impressed as well.

 

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 May.  He acknowledged Jack Cremen and the great work of Olivia Scanlon.  He mentioned that there was one greater alarm during the reporting period which was at 612 Sweeney Street where crews did a great job with structure protection.  He touched on other notable incidents such as the first alarm at 400 London Street, a cliff rescue of a dog and a bay rescue at Pier 39.  He mentioned that there was a red alert on May 11th at Market and Powell where a bicyclist ran into six victims on the sidewalk resulting in four transports and on May 27, 2018, there was a technical rescue at Pier 80 where two adults were seriously injured on board a ship.  He described the gas leak at 18th and DeHaro caused by construction crews wherein PG&E responded quickly and mitigated the incident.  He read several of the social media comments sent to the department as well as outreach efforts by Lt. Baxter and recruitment efforts.  He reminded everyone to text ALERTSF to 888-777 in order to receive emergency notifications.  He thanked Commissioner Veronese for attending the Surf Rescue training.  He mentioned that the QRV’s have been a godsend to the busy stations downtown.  He stated that during EMS week, the following members were recognized:  EMS Captain Beth Goudreau, Retired Paramedic Captain Sandy Tong, Paramedic Seamus O’Donnell, Paramedic Daniel McAtee, Paramedic Nina Small, and Paramedic Janet Ortiza.  Chief Gonzales announced that the highlight for EMS-6 was that there was a 29 percent call volume reduction, largely due to the result of working more closely with other agencies, including the social medicine team at SF General Hospital, Department of Public Health, the Department of Public Safety, Joe Healy detox, the Sobering Center and the Emergency Department of Case Management.  He touched on the Division of Fire Prevention and Investigations and the Airport Division.

 

Vice President Nakajo thanked Chief Gonzales for his comprehensive report and stated he really likes the pictures provided in the report.  Vice President Nakajo commented on various incidents outlined in the report and acknowledged the crews that respond to them.  He asked for an update from the Fire Marshal on the trend of permits and the growth of the city.  Fire Marshal DeCossio responded that they have seen an increase in activity and construction throughout the city and they have added positions and resources to meet the challenges and restricted some of the sections to reallocate some of the resources to meet those challenges.  He added that it is an ongoing process month to month, but he thinks overall they have a great and committed team and he appreciates the department and the chief who has given him the resources to do their job. 

 

Commissioner Hardman thanked him for his report and commented on the recent article where they are expecting to get an additional 90 dispatchers at DEM.  He acknowledged Mayor Farrell and how he has taken care of the public safety departments.

 

Commissioner Veronese stated that he noticed there was a decrease in volume by 29 percent on the EMS-6 report and he would like to see historically over the last eight months how those calls have been trending.  He also asked that Chief Gonzales add more detail to the identifiable home address section of his report.

 

There was no public comment.

 

7. COMMISSION REPORT [Discussion]

Report on Commission activities since last meeting on May 23, 2018, including discussion on proposed Peer Support Unit Resolution.

 

Commissioner Veronese discussed his proposed resolution in detail and mentioned that he employed the services of an individual named Zack Harville who is a student at the University of San Francisco who did a lot of the research, along with himself.  He added that they studied what peer support units are doing in California and in the context of what's going on in the world with the recent news of celebrities taking their lives as well as last month was Mental Health Awareness Month, he thinks is it a good time to take a look at this issue.  He described the highlights of his resolution and the different general orders he incorporated and looked at what other departments were doing and combined the efforts of his research to format the draft resolution which is attached:  https://sf-fire.org/sites/default/files/COMMISSION/Fire%20Commission%20…

 

Commissioner Covington thanked Commissioner Veronese for devoting a lot of time and effort into the resolution and she was glad that the Chief had a chance to look it over and make comments and changes as she thought were needed and she looks forward to having a more detailed discussion once it’s agendized.

 

Chief Hayes-White applauded Commissioner Veronese for his advocacy in making sure the department has a healthy workforce as there are many stressful positions and situations the members have to deal with, and a lot of times, there is what is called accumulative effect that over time, you can get impacted even with incidents that don’t seem to be as difficult as incidents that you’ve once experienced and it builds over time and she supports the Stress Unit which the department has had in place for a long time.

 

Vice President Nakajo appreciated the work Commissioner Veronese contributed to the resolution but had some concerns, mostly over the financial impact to the Department’s budget as well as the timeline he has spelled out.

 

Commissioner Hardeman gave a brief overview of his recent visit to the Chief’s Residence on Bush Street where Chief Rivera provided a tour and how shocked he was to see how very able, great, and well maintained the building was after hearing for many years the poor quality it was in.  He was impressed at how beautiful and gorgeous the historic landmark Chief’s Residence was and he really enjoyed the tour.  He also congratulated the Warriors for winning the Championship.

 

Commissioner Covington stated that on Monday, she and Commissioner Veronese met with Chief Scott of the San Francisco Police Department and the two people who are most closely related to fundraising and grant writing for the SFPD and she stated that she will do a fuller debriefing at a later meeting.

 

Vice President Nakajo recalled the recent event in Japantown called the Buchanan Street Mall Celebration and acknowledged Commissioner Covington for her participation, as well as the following people who volunteered for that event:  Jay Palmer; Michael Delos Reyes; James Sakkis; Patrick Perez; Alex Rashdan; Rose Solorzano; David Leon; Cameron T. Andersen; Trevor Tyler; Jose Cortes; Jack Murray; Chris Edney; Nhi Him; Stephen Sweeney; Ahmad Edais; Josestevan Villalobos; Christian Rozo; Andre Conway; Ross Schmidt; Phil Welsch; Neal Naravan; Lukas Jonoubuh; Nicholas Flores; Gabriella Fisicaro; Andrew Marks; and Angel Olmedo.  He also acknowledged Fire recruiter Keith Baracca and Inspector Cotto.

 

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.

 

• Chief’s residence update

 

There was no public comment.

 

9. ADJOURNMENT 

 

President Cleaveland adjourned the meeting at 11:27 a.m. in the memory of retired Battalion Chief Joe McCarthy.