Fire Commission - June 28, 2017

 

 

The Video can be viewed by clicking this link:  http://sanfrancisco.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=180&clip_id=28…

 

President Cleaveland called the meeting to order at 5:00 PM.  

 

1. ROLL CALL

 

Commission President Ken Cleaveland Present 

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

Raemona Williams Deputy Chief – Administration

 

Tony Rivera Support Services

Rudy Castellanos Airport Division

Andy Zanoff EMS Division

 

Assistant Chiefs

Jose Velo Division 2

William Storti Division 3

 

Staff

Mark Corso Deputy Director of Finance

 

2. PUBLIC COMMENT

 

Ronald Herrera talked about the parade he attended over the weekend and what a good surprise it was for him to be included as part of the parade and he thanked everyone on his behalf and on behalf of the fire reserves for including them in the parade. 

 

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

Discussion and possible action to approve meeting minutes.

 

• Minutes from Regular Meeting on June 14, 2017.

 

Commissioner Covington Moved to approve the June 14, 2017 regular meeting Minutes.  Commissioner Hardeman Seconded.  Motion to approve above Minutes was unanimous.

 

There was no public comment.

 

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 June 14, 2017, 2017, including budget, academies, special events, communications and outreach to other government agencies and the public.

 

Chief Hayes-White's report covered events since the last meeting on June 14, 2017.  She gave a brief overview of the budget which included an appearance at the budget and finance committee on June 16, 2017.   Mark Corso explained that process and stated that since June 1st, they have been working very closely in negotiations with the budget analyst office and they were able to come to an agreement which allows the Department to keep their hiring plan, equipment fund, including the additional $4,000,000 received in the second year and funding for the Departments outreach efforts.  The next step is to have it heard by the full board, which should be on July 18th and 25th.

 

Commissioner Covington asked what functions come under the outreach heading.  Mr. Corso answered that it’s mainly under the work of Fire Prevention, and specifically related to funding that they received from the Department of Building Inspection last year for personnel costs related to education and outreach to the community.  Commissioner Covington asked if Mr. Corso anticipates any changes from the full board and Mr. Corso replied that the assumption is now that it’s approved at committee, it will be moved forward at the full board.  Vice President Nakajo confirmed this statement.

 

Commissioner Hardeman asked what the total budget is including the Airport.  Mr. Corso answered that it is approximately $385,000,000.00.  Commissioner Hardeman asked how the additional $750,000.00 allocated to the operating budget will be used.  Chief Hayes-White stated that it is to be determined but they are looking at either expanding the EMS-6 or a hybrid and they are working with other City Departments on a safer streets initiative.

 

Chief Hayes-White continued with her report and covered the academies, stating that the 122nd class is in their 10th week of a 20-week academy with 50 recruits remaining.  In regards to the 123rd Academy, she mentioned that they anticipate having a class of 54 recruits, 12 coming from Station 49 and 42 off the National Testing Network list and that class is slated to start in the fall.

 

Chief Hayes-White attended the Earthquake Safety Fair, the Budget and Finance Committee meeting, the Juneteenth parade, along with Commissioner Covington, the Pride flag raising along with president Cleaveland, the monthly Labor Management meeting and a ceremony at City Hall where the Board of Supervisors gave specific recognition to recently formed employee group Rescue President Keith Baraka and member Battalion Chief Nicol Juratovac.  She touched on other events that she attended during the reporting period, including the Pride Parade and Firefighters Appreciation Night at the Giant’s game.  She mentioned that they continue to work with the MTA and Supervisor Sheehy on particular issues with parking protected bike lanes and acknowledged the collaboration with Supervisor Sheehy and his office as well as MTA in understanding the Department’s continued concerns.  She announced that on July 1, 2017, it will mark the 20th anniversary from which the Paramedic Division departed from the Department of Public Health and merged with the SFFD and that there will be a small ceremony to celebrate with members of Station 49 and all are invited.  She acknowledged all the members for the phenomenal job they did during the active shooter incident at the UPS facility as well as at the cliff rescue incident where a young woman fell to her death from the Lands End area.  She asked President Cleaveland to consider adjourning the meeting in the memory of Victor Wong, who is the husband of Fire Inspector Carol Wiley Wong and retired members Assistant Chief Dave Haberlin and Lieutenant Robert Matluck.

 

Commissioner Veronese showed interest in possibly working with the bicycle coalition as he senses that the department’s interests are aligned in some respects.  Chief Hayes-White answered that although it sounds great, there are challenges, and the coalition’s desire is to have parking protected bike lanes and that is very difficult for the department because the width of the bike lane isn’t wide enough for emergency apparatus to navigate through and it really impedes us.  Commissioner Veronese commended Chief Hayes-White on the very difficult incident where the young women that fell at Lands End and what a great job she does representing the city under very difficult circumstances.

 

Commissioner Hardeman thanked Chief Hayes-White and congratulated her on the budget.  He gave a brief overview of an article he read concerning Baltimore and how people are dying from drug use.  He commented on his participation at the Pride Parade and how he noticed the good relationship the Fire Department has with the Police Department and how nice it was to see them all enjoying themselves.

 

Vice President Nakajo thanked Chief Hayes-White and Mr. Corso for the great job on the budget and mentioned that he wanted everybody to understand and comprehend that along with the Chief and Mr. Corso, there is the internal budget committee that goes through the process and to have the goals of maintaining no cuts was really quite a lofty goal and he is pleased with the hard work that they all have done.

 

President Cleaveland thanked Chief Hayes-White for her report and announced that he would have been in the Pride Parade if he had not been in Nashville at a national conference for his job.  He commended Keith Baraka and Rescue and everyone in the cadet program that participated on Pride Sunday with the Fire Department.

 

There was no public comment.

 

REPORT FROM ADMINISTRATION, DEPUTY CHIEF RAEMONA WILLIAMS

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

 

Chief Williams' report covered the period from May 25, 2017 to June 28, 2017.  She mentioned that the Assignment Office staff is currently working on modifications to the Station 49 members’ schedule, in anticipation of the upcoming H-3 Level 1 EMT and H-3 Level 2 Paramedic academies.  Under Homeland Security, she stated that Chief Francisco continues to update the command staff on all suspicious and/or potential terrorist activities, including the recent London and Paris incidents.  He also processes all incoming Homeland Security incidents and bulletins and he is working with Mark Corso on preparing and submitting the application for the Port Security Grant.  Under ISB, she stated there were 72 members randomly tested and all results were negative.  She touched on the Physician’s Office, Support Services including updates on Pump Station 1, Station 5, and ESER projects.  Under Fleet Management she announced that they have two new replacement surf rescue trucks that are currently being outfitted and will be placed in service soon at Station 18 and 34.  Under Division of Training, she mentioned that staff has been involved in many activities such as overseeing the pump and aerial testing for members of the 120th and 121st probationary firefighters.  She touched on the EMS training and stated they will resume their active shooter training on July 5, 2017.  She mentioned that Captain Arteseros continues to oversee the emergency preparedness training for the community and she conducts advanced training and drilling, presentations and other specialized activities.  Chief Williams concluded here report by announcing that the 122nd Academy is set to graduate on September 8, 2017.

 

Commissioner Hardeman thanked Chief Williams and complimented her for being the most energetic person from the Fire Department at the Pride Parade.  He mentioned the tragic cliff incident involving a member of the LA Rocca family and what a nice family they are.  He stated that he would like for the commissioners to see how cliff rescue manpower process works, not an actual rescue, but the set up.

 

Commissioner Veronese stated that he was sorry he missed the parade as well as he had a preset father/son weekend planned.

 

President Cleaveland thanked Chief Hayes-White and Chief Williams for their reports.  He mentioned that after so many years of fighting tooth and nail for the budget, it’s nice to have a good budget and thanked everyone who sallied forth up and down the halls of City Hall to present our case.  He asked Chief Williams if there is anything being done interdepartmental to looking into reducing the cliff rescues.  Chief Hayes-White responded that the collaborative efforts are much better than they were 5 to 10 years ago and that earlier in the week there was a joint press conference with the Coast Guard, National Park Service, and San Francisco Police Department.  She added that PIO Jonathan Baxter was one of the persons that spearheaded that press event to get the word out related to surf and cliff dangers.  She added that she thinks the Park Service is looking at ways to add more patrols or better signage, but as long as people disobey restricted areas these rescues will continue.

 

Commissioner Covington suggested getting the word out about surf and cliff dangers by using Airbnb and hotel concierge staff that deal with visitors.  With regards to the Industrial Hygienist, Commissioner Covington confirmed that one of his duties will be how to reduce the number if on duty injuries.

 

President Cleaveland asked about work-related injuries.  Chief Williams explained the different types of injuries and the difference between short term and long term disabilities.

 

There was no public comment.

 

8. AGENDA FOR NEXT FIRE COMMISSION MEETING [Discussion]

Discussion regarding agenda for the July 12, 2017 regular meeting.

 

There was discussion on how the minutes are prepared.  Commissioner Veronese thought there was too much detail.  Vice President Nakajo and Commissioner Covington prefer them detailed and are happy with how the minutes are currently prepared.

 

• Drone Policy update

• Antique Apparatus/Guardians of the City

• Industrial Hygienist update

• Acknowledge members that responded to cliff rescue 

 

9. ADJOURNMENT 

 

President Cleaveland adjourned the meeting in the memory of Victor Wong, husband of Fire Inspector Carol Wyle Wong, retired Assistant Chief Dave Haberlin, Lieutenant Robert Matluck and Civilian Victoria La Rocco at 6:11 p.m.