Fire Commission - June 8, 2016

 

 

 

 

Item No.

1. ROLL CALL

 

President Francee Covington

Vice President Ken Cleaveland

Commissioner Stephen A. Nakajo 

Commissioner Michael Hardeman

 

Chief of Department Joanne Hayes-White

 

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 and 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. PROPOSED LEGISLATION FROM THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ PUBLIC SAFETY AND NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES COMMITTEE [Discussion and possible action]

 

File No.: 160422 Ordinance amending the Fire Code and the Housing Code to require building owners provide tenants with an annual written notice of smoke alarm requirements and require building owners file a statement of compliance with annual fire alarm testing and inspection requirements every two years; amending the Fire Code and Building Code to require building owners to upgrade existing fire alarm systems by July 1, 2021, or upon completion of $50,000 or more of construction work, whichever occurs earlier; amending the Building Code to require owners of Apartment Houses damaged by fire to submit an Action Plan to the City within 30 days of the fire and requiring owners of buildings in Group R occupancies with six or more units to install fire blocks in open accessible attics when performing $50,000 or more of construction work; affirming the Planning Department’s determination under the California Environmental Quality Act; making findings under the California Health and Safety Code; and directing the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors to forward this ordinance to the California Building Standards Commission upon final passage as required by State law.

 

4. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF APPRECIATION [Discussion]

Presentation of Award from the State of California in recognition of the NERT Program.

 

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

Discussion and possible action to approve meeting minutes.

 

• Minutes from Regular Meeting on May 11, 2016

 

6. OVERVIEW ON AIRPORT DIVISION [Discussion]

Overview and update from Assistant Deputy Chief Rudy Castellanos on the current developments at the Airport Division

 

7. 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 May 25, 2016, including academies, strategic planning, 150th Anniversary update, special events, communications and outreach to other government agencies and the public.

 

REPORT FROM OPERATIONS

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

 

8. OVERVIEW OF FIRE DEPARTMENT BUDGET [Discussion]

Update and overview from Mark Corso on the current budget

 

9. SUPERVISORY MODEL FOR STATION 49 UPDATE [Discussion]

Update and discussion on Supervisory Model for Station 49

 

10. AGENDA FOR NEXT FIRE COMMISSION MEETING [Discussion]

Discussion regarding agenda for the June 22, 2016 regular meeting.

 

11. Case No. 2015-05:  COMMISSION DELIBERATIONS ON PROPOSED FINDINGS OF FACT, AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF FINDINGS OF FACT REGARDING COMMISSION’S DECISION ON EMPLOYEE SUSPENSION APPEAL [Action item]

 

In accordance with Article 40, Section 4005 of the Rules and Regulations the employee has appealed a six-day suspension for violation of the Rules and Regulations as follows:

 

Section 3909 – False Reports

Section 3919 – Proper Behavior

Section 3923 – Acts Detrimental to the Welfare of the Department

Section 3924 – Disobedience

Section 3925 – Insubordination

 

At a Special Meeting of the Fire Commission on April 25, 2016, the Commission deliberated and decided member’s appeal of a six-day suspension previously imposed by the Chief of Department in the above-noted matter.

 

Member pled not guilty to the charges of violating San Francisco Fire Department Rules and Regulations Section 3909 – False Reports; Section 3919 – Proper Behavior; Section 3923 – Acts Detrimental to the Welfare of the Department; Section 3924 – Disobedience; and Section 3925 – Insubordination.  

 

By a vote of 3 to 1, the Commission voted to uphold all of the charges against member and to uphold the penalty of a 6-day suspension imposed by Chief of Department. (Ayes: Cleaveland, Nakajo, Hardeman; No:  Covington.)

 

The Commission is now considering proposed Findings of Fact in relation to that decision.

 

This case may be heard in Closed Session pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(b) and San Francisco Administrative Code Section 67.10(b). 

 

A. Public Comment on Special Meeting Agenda Item; Possible Closed Session

 

Members of the public may comment on Agenda items No. 2, including the proposed Findings of Fact and whether to consider the matter in Closed Session.  [Government Code §54954.3(a), Administrative Code §67.15(b)]

 

B. Vote on Closed Session:

 

1. Vote on whether to conduct deliberations on proposed Findings of Fact in Closed Session.   [Action]

 

C. Deliberations and Possible Action 

 

1. Deliberations and possible action on proposed Findings of Fact (in Open or Closed Session, per the Commission's vote).   [Action]

 

D. If Closed Session is held, reconvene in Open Session

 

1. Report on any action taken in Closed Session as specified in California Government Code Section 54957.1(a)(5) and San Francisco Administrative Code section 67.12(b)(4).

 

2. 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]

 

12. ADJOURNMENT  

 

 

 

 

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 www.sf-fire.org/fire-commission.  Office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 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