Fire Commission - May 22, 2019

 

 

The Video can be viewed by clicking this link:  http://sanfrancisco.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=180&clip_id=33…

 

President Nakajo called the meeting to order at 5:03 p.m.

 

1. ROLL CALL

 

Commission President Stephen Nakajo Present

Commission Vice President Francee Covington Present

Commissioner Michael Hardeman Present

Commissioner Ken Cleaveland Present

Commissioner Joe Alioto Veronese Present

 

Chief of Department Jeanne Nicholson Present

 

Victor Wyrsch Deputy Chief -- Operations

Jose Velo Deputy Chief --Administration

 

Sandy Tong EMS

Dan DeCossio Bureau of Fire Prevention

Tony Rivera Support Services

Michael Cochran Homeland Security

Joel Sato Training Division

 

Assistant Chiefs

Bob Postel Division 2

Lorri Kalos Division 3

 

Staff

Mark Corso Deputy Director of Finance

Clement Yeh Medical Director

Olivia Scanlon Communications and Outreach

 

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 8, 2019.

 

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

 

There was no public comment.

 

4. PRESENTATION FROM THE PORT OF SAN FRANCISCO PERTAINING TO THE MOU WITH THE SFFD [Discussion]

Jamie Hurley to present the MOU between the Port and SFFD.

 

Jamie Hurley, project manager with the Port of San Francisco explained the newly created Memorandum of Understanding between the Port and the San Francisco Fire Department.  He presented the following PowerPoint:  https://sf-fire.org/sites/default/files/COMMISSION/Fire%20Commission%20…

 

He mentioned that SFFD staff and Port staff have worked together to develop the MOU over the past several months and that the Port Commission is poised to approve at their next Port Commission meeting on May 28th.  He added that it was a collaborative effort by three sister agencies, the Port, SFFD and Public Works, with the connection being the project at Fire Station 35 and the MOU.  He provided a description of the work to be performed, including the removal of the pile-supported marginal wharf, a new structure that will contain a ramp that connects the Embarcadero to the new station and a pedestrian bridge that will connect the new floating fireboat station to the historic Station 35.  He stated that an MOU functions similar to a lease and that there are several different parcels within the MOU, the historic firehouse, the marginal wharf, and submerged land.  He stated that the terms of the agreement correspond with the design life of the new facility, which they estimate at 50 years and it allows for the construction of the project which will be about two years, and operations out of the new facility once it is completed.  It provides for the payment of rent to the Port by the Fire Department of approximately $14,000 a month, which would not commence until after the project is completed and the new facility is occupied and will contain rent credits of approximately 15 years.  He provided more detailed information on the attached MOU, as well as the compliance with CEQA:  https://sf-fire.org/sites/default/files/COMMISSION/Fire%20Commission%20….

 

Chief Nicholson thanked Mr. Hurley for presenting the information and said that she is in support of the MOU as they have put a lot of work into it.

 

Commissioner Cleaveland asked how they established market rate rent.  Mr. Hurley responded that the Port Commission approves parameter rent rates for different types of Port property, such as submerged lands, improved open land and unimproved land are examples of set rates.

 

Commissioner Veronese thanked Mr. Hurley for his presentation and confirmed that the Port charges the Police Department rent as well as other City agencies that have buildings on Port property.  Mr. Hurley added that all of the project costs will be paid through the 2014 ESER Bond money and the Port will not be contributing to any of the project costs for Station 35.  Chief Rivera stated he did not have the cost breakdown of demolition for Pier 22 and Pier 24, but there was an evaluation done prior to the condition of the existing pier as a whole and that the north section will eventually have to be reinforced at some point and he believes the cost to be approximately a million dollars to repair that north area.  Mr. Hurley confirmed that the demolition for the whole project will be paid for by ESER 2014.  Commissioner Veronese confirmed that the historic firehouse will be used to store turnouts, PPE’s, Engine 35 and wash extractor for the turnouts and that the new station is going to have cooking facilities, a communications room, and sleeping quarters.  Director Corso confirmed that the Fire Department currently has a work order with the Port where the Port pays for the officer of the fireboat, the pilot and the engineer, and that those positions are staffed 24 hours a day, in addition to some fire prevention personnel for Plan Review and the Port Fire Marshal and dedicated fire inspector.

 

Vice President Covington thanked Mr. Hurley for his presentation and thought it was eye opening.  She also thanked everyone who participated in hammering out the MOU and thinks it’s a very good MOU.  Vice President Covington informed Mr. Hurley, the Commission and the audience that she is a former Redevelopment Commissioner and knows the Port has an incredible portfolio.  She asked Mr. Hurley to talk more about the observation deck.  Mr. Hurley explained that it will have public access areas pursuant to the BCDC permit and will allow members of the public an opportunity to interact with the art that is planned for that area as well as to be able to view the boats and activity that will be visible from the deck.  

 

Commissioner Hardeman tanked Mr. Hurley for his report and noted that it sounds like his heart is in the project.  He added that between his Port Commission and Fire Commission appointments he has been on top of the project, such as understanding the operation of Pier 35 and the fireboats and he’s always had a soft spot in his heart for fireboats and he’s happy they have Fireboat 3, the St. Francis.  Commissioner Hardman confirmed that there shouldn't be much of a need for dredging unless in the future, due to some buildup of siltation underneath the float.  He also confirmed that the float itself is being made overseas, but the actual firehouse will be built in San Francisco at Pier 1 and they are going to utilize local contractors to actually build the firehouse so there will be a lot of local enterprises working on it.

 

President Nakajo thanked Mr. Hurley for his report and confirmed that it is scheduled to be approved at the Port Commission meeting on May 28, 2019.  He noted that folks have been working very hard on the MOU and he thinks it’s ready to go.

 

 

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 May 8, 2019, including budget, academies, special events, communications and outreach to other government agencies and the public.

 

Chief Nicholson announced that she promoted acting Assistant Chief Lorrie Kalos to Assistant Chief of Division 2 as well as Niels Tangherlini to Section Chief of Operations. She mentioned that she has reached out to all of the employee groups and she and her deputies will be meeting with them over the summer.  She added that she, CD2 and CD3 attended the union membership meeting on May 9, where they spoke to the members and had a good reception of opening up the lines of communications, so they can collaborate on how they can work together.  She also had a productive meeting with the board members of Local 798.  She added that she, Chief Velo and Chief Wyrsch continue to visit the fire stations to talk to all the members as well as a town hall meeting at Station 49, where they got good reception from the members.  She touched on the budget, where they have submitted enhancement requests to the Mayor's Budget Office.  She has met with Supervisors Fewer, Walton and Peskin about AWSS. She touched on other developments, such as testing schedules, meeting with the Bicycle Coalition, meeting with DEM and EMS partners.  She concluded by announcing that she appreciates all the hopeful people in the room and welcomes them at all meetings, but she and her command staff would not be meeting with them following the commission meetings.

 

Commissioner Cleaveland thanked her for her report and asked for clarification about the testing schedule.  Chief Nicholson confirmed it relates to testing for promotional purposes, and the conversations are ongoing with DHR and Local 798.  He also confirmed that the meeting she had with Hospital Council and David Serrano Sewell was a meet and greet type of meeting, and she thought there would be an opportunity for the commission to meet with them as well.

 

Commissioner Veronese acknowledged his appreciation of the Chief for her recent visits to the neighborhood stations as well as the town hall meeting at Station 49.

 

Commissioner Hardeman acknowledged how busy Chief Nicholson has been and congratulated her for bringing everybody in the Department together.  He mentioned that he saw her and a number of members on SFGOV TV, getting commendations from the Board of Supervisors.

 

President Nakajo concurred with Commissioner Veronese's comments in terms of visiting the stations and the timeliness of that within her administration and he appreciates it and that he was sorry he could not make the town hall meeting at Station 49 with Chief Tong.  He also acknowledged Chief Nicholson and her administration and his fellow colleagues in terms of the budget advocacy with the various supervisors.  He congratulated Chief Kalos and Neils Tangherlini on their recent promotions.

 

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, Homeland Security, Training within the Department.

 

Chief Velo reported on events for the month of April.  He thanked Chief Nicholson for selecting him for the job and never thought he would be so busy in his life.  He confirmed the many meetings they have attended and stated he is happy to be part of this new team, moving the Department forward.  He acknowledged all the great and hard work his Assistant Deputy Chief's do and noted that he really admires them, they work nonstop.  He touched on the Training Division, where he mentioned that Chief Sato was in New York visiting the ULFDNY studies on fire alarm behavior and ventilation behavior.  He added that the 125th academy is coming to a closure soon and graduation is scheduled for June 14, 2019, with 44 recruits expected to graduate.  He touched on NERT, where they had a City-Wide drill, a surf rescue drill, plans for a high-rise drill and active shooter drill with the SFPD and updating the emergency response plan.  He mentioned that the second wave of wildland training finished today, and he expects about 250 members will be trained for wildland fires.  He announced that they are working with Jesus Mora of the IT Division to reduce paper waste and moving to electronic forms.

 

Commissioner Cleaveland thanked Chief Velo for his report.  He confirmed that a grant writer has not been hired yet and they are having difficulties recruiting the right person.  He was delighted to see they are doing the high-rise drill at 333 Bush Street as it's both residential and commercial.  He also appreciated the fleet report that is included in Chief Velo's comprehensive report, as he thinks it's important as commissioners to know how the fleet is aging when they talk to the Board of Supervisors and the Mayor, and they can better understand the need to continue to replenish the stock of engines, trucks and everything else.

 

Vice President Covington thanked Chief Velo for his initial report and she wished him much success in his new position.  She confirmed with Chief Velo that the tsunami warning signs are handed out at various community outreach events.  She also mentioned that she also really appreciates the fleet update being so detailed, particularly as they are in the active budget phase of the year.

 

Commissioner Hardeman was amazed at Chief Velo’s report and noted all the work that went into it.  He mentioned that it is the commission's responsibility to make another push for a fleet plan and was happy Chief Velo brought it to their attention.  He acknowledged the increase of homelessness at the airport. 

 

Commissioner Veronese was very enlightened by the vehicle report and stated it is helpful when talking to the Board of Supervisors.  He would also like to know what other things the department is tracking.

 

President Nakajo thanked Chief Velo for his comprehensive report and noticed he has hit the ground running and stated he looks forward to hearing about all of the work in the future.

 

There was no public comment.

 

6. COMMISSION REPORT [Discussion]

Report on Commission activities since last meeting on April 10, 2019

 

Vice President Covington stated that the meetings and conversations with the Supervisors regarding the upcoming budget have been very good and encouraging.  President Nakajo acknowledged all of the commissioners in terms of budget advocacy.

 

Commissioner Hardeman attended the surf drill at Ocean Beach where he stayed at the catwalk but saw President Nakajo down on the shore getting his feet wet at the drill.  He added that it was amazing to watch, and he enjoyed the helicopter.  President Nakajo added that Chief Cochrane was also at the surf rescue drill as well as Chief Wyrsch and he thought it was also amazing and a privilege for him to walk with them on the beach and get educated in terms of how the department prepares for such a rescue.  He thanked Olivia Scanlon and Director Corso for their budget advocacy and for making the data available and arrangements possible.  He also mentioned that he attended an internal meritorious award meeting to discuss plans for revamping the committee and try to revitalize it in some ways.

 

There was no public comment.

 

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

Discussion regarding agenda for the next and future regular meetings.

 

• Drone update

 

There was no public comment.

 

8. ADJOURNMENT President Nakajo adjourned the meeting at 7:02 p.m.