Fire Commission - May 25, 2016

 

 

 

The video recording has been at:  http://sanfrancisco.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=180&clip_id=25…

 

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

 

1. ROLL CALL

 

Commission President Francee Covington Present  

Commission Vice President Ken Cleaveland Present

Commissioner Stephen Nakajo Present

Commissioner Michael Hardeman Present

 

Chief of Department Joanne Hayes-White Present

 

Mark Gonzales Deputy Chief - Operations

Raemona Williams Deputy Chief – Administration

 

Jeff Myers EMS

Dan DeCossio Bureau of Fire Prevention

Jeff Columbini Division of Training

Shane Francisco Homeland Security

Rudy Castellanos Airport Division

 

Assistant Chiefs

Kevin Taylor Division 2

Kirk Richardson Division 3

 

Staff

Mark Corso CFO

Jesusa Bushong Personnel Officer

Olivia Scanlon Communication and Outreach Coordinator

 

2. PUBLIC COMMENT

 

Dan Casey, firefighter/paramedic and member of Local 798 spoke in support of putting RC-4 back out in the field and to keep this issue at the forefront of everyone’s attention.

 

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

Discussion and possible action to approve meeting minutes.

 

• Minutes from Regular Meeting on April 13, 2016

 

Vice President Cleaveland Moved to approve the April 13, 2016 regular meeting Minutes.  Commissioner Hardeman Seconded.  Motion to approve above Minutes was unanimous.

 

• Minutes from Regular Meeting on April 27, 2016

 

Vice President Cleaveland Moved to approve the April 27, 2016 regular meeting Minutes as amended by President Covington.  Commissioner Hardeman Seconded.  Motion to approve above Minutes was unanimous.

 

• Minutes from Special Meeting on May 13, 2016

 

Commissioner Hardeman Moved to approve the May 13, 2016 special meeting Minutes.  Vice President Cleaveland Seconded.  Motion to approve above Minutes was unanimous.

 

There was no public comment:

 

4. CERTIFICATES AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF APPRECIATION

Certificates and acknowledgement of appreciation to members of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency’s Proof of Payment Division who took swift and decisive action on a member of the public who was experiencing a medical emergency.

 

Chief Hayes-White introduced Captain Luttropp who took the initiative to acknowledge the MTA employees who took swift and decisive action to help a member of the public that was experiencing a medical emergency.  Captain Luttropp explained the scenario that took place on February 19, 2016 at the Powell Street BART Station on the concourse level.  He said that the quick actions of Alan San Martin, Terence Smith, Sheryl Garrison and Sherman Chan were vital in saving the patient’s life, as they were able to assist him during his partial airway obstruction progressed and he was unable to breathe.  Chief Hayes-White presented certificates of appreciation to the recipients of MTA.

 

Each of the Commissioners thanked the MTA employees for their service, swift and heroic actions and for saving a life.

 

5. 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.

 

Chief DeCossio explained the three areas in the fire code that are to be amended with the legislation and how they will impact the resources within the Bureau of Fire Prevention.  With regards to the smoke alarms, he stated the proposal requires building owners to provide residential tenants with an annual written notice of smoke alarm requirements and to post said notice in common areas of the building.  The only impact this change has is to have the notice translated into the required three languages and posting it on the Department’s website.  He added that he feels that this could be absorbed without additional staff.  The second change, which pertains to fire alarm maintenance requirements would require building owners to file every two years a statement of compliance form that annual fire alarm inspection testing has been completed.  He added that if the forms are submitted to the Fire Department, the impact to the Division would be receiving more than five thousand forms annually, along with the potential to receive a majority of the forms towards the end of the year deadline and would greatly overwhelm the BFP staff without additional clerical positions and a managerial lieutenant staff position.  He stated that the time required to establish a data base, along with additional time to research which buildings are required to file the form, would take a considerable amount of time.  With regards to the fire alarm upgrade, this part of the legislation would require building owners to upgrade existing fire alarms and to comply with sleeping area sound level requirements by July 1, 2021 or upon completion of construction with a building permit valued at $50,000 or more.  He added that the initial impact shouldn’t be that great on his staff and until they gather the data on how many apartment buildings actually have fire alarms, the overall impact cannot be predicted.

 

Vice President Cleaveland thanked Chief DeCossio for his comments and stated that if we don’t have the resources to implement the legislation, Supervisor Campos needs to understand that and should provide additional funding.  He suggested that we ask the supervisor to push back the implementation date by at least a year as he doesn’t think the data can get pulled together in the current timeline.

 

Commissioner Nakajo agreed with Vice President Cleaveland’s comments.  He added that he is supportive of the legislation but is concerned if we can accomplish the tasks with the reality of the limitation of budget costs to do the work.  Chief Hayes-White added that she believes everyone collectively is going into this legislation with eyes wide open and the Department is in agreement that anything that can save lives, reduce injuries related to fire safety they are in support of, but the reality is they will need additional resources and they have submitted some ideas to both the Department of Building Inspection and the Mayor’s Budget Office.  She added that they will receive some assistance in the form of work order to gather the data in addition to hiring field inspectors.

 

Commissioner Hardeman agreed with the comments from Vice President Cleaveland and Commissioner Nakajo.  He added that he was disappointed that when the Commission met in the Mission District, only 7 of the free smoke alarms were taken.  He asked Chief DeCossio if there was a recommendation on how many alarms should be in one’s home.  Chief DeCossio explained that there should be one in each sleeping area and one on every level of the home, but typically you’d go by the manufacturer’s recommendation, one smoke alarm would cover a 30 by 30 room.

 

President Covington mentioned her concern with some of the language in the legislation.  Chief DeCossio explained that most of those concerns address the building code, such as structural integrity of buildings, which falls outside the scope of the Fire Department but within the Building Inspection Department.  She asked Mark Corso to work up some numbers on the financial impact this legislation will have on the Department.

 

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 May 11, 2016, including Fiscal Year 2015-2016 budget, academies, Strategic Planning, 150th Anniversary update, special events, communications and outreach to other government agencies and the public.

 

Chief Hayes-White report covered events since the last meeting of May 11th.  She stated that regarding the budget, the Mayor will be having a department head meeting on Friday, May 27, 2016, to give preliminary information prior to his budget presentation. She added that they’ve continued to have regular meetings with the Mayor's Budget Office, and have clearly articulated the priorities for the Department.  She acknowledged the Budget Committee, as well as the Commission, for collectively coming together on establishing a list of priorities.  She stated that she is very optimistic that the fleet will be addressed in this year's budget and the goal is not just addressed in a one or two-year budget but addressed over the longer term, similar to what the hiring plan has done.  With regards to the academies, she stated that the 119th class is in their 18th week of 20 weeks with 49 members in that academy.  The graduation will be June 9th, 2:00 p.m., Riordan High School.  She invited the Commission and the public to attend the graduation.  She mentioned that concurrently there is an H-3 Level 1 EMT class that is in a six week session that consists of 31 members and that graduation is on June 3rd, 10:00 o'clock a.m., at the Division of Training, 19th and Folsom.  She gave a brief update on the Strategic Plan stating that a large group met on May 2nd and Commissioner Hardeman was in attendance.  She added that the formatting subcommittee met yesterday, and they've recommended that the meeting scheduled for next week be postponed slightly. She announced the promotion of Mark Corso who is moving from the Chief Financial Officer to oversee the Division of Finance and Planning.  With regards to the 150th Anniversary update, Chief Hayes-White stated there is a committee meeting tomorrow morning, 10:00 o'clock, at the Division of Training.   She touched on the upcoming EMS week, the recent drownings at Ocean Beach, the Special Olympics event at Kezar Stadium and the donation of an ambulance to Galileo High School’s Medical Academy.  She described her meeting with the Mission stakeholders and Supervisor Campos as a follow up to the meeting that occurred in the Mission to discuss Supervisor Campos’ legislation as well as continuing to keep the lines of communication open.  She added that the plan is to meet again in July to talk about prioritizing the Mission and Chinatown Districts and getting additional resources in terms of an H-6 fire investigator and an H-4 fire inspector to go out to the community and be proactive in following up if there is an incident.  She mentioned that on May 19, 2016 there was a wonderful display of EMS apparatus at the Civic Center to close out EMS week and she, Chief Myers, Chief Gonzales participated in the EMS award at the Department of Public Health where she was proud to award EMT Jared Copper and Paramedic Mark Santos EMS provider awards.  She concluded her report by stating they participated in a lunch honoring members of Station 49 as well as the private partners, King American and AMR and that lunch was hosted by the San Francisco Fire Credit Union.

 

Vice President Cleaveland asked how much money has been raised so far for the 150th Anniversary.  Chief Hayes-White responded so far they have raised close to $600,000.00 and would appreciate more funds, but they are satisfied and grateful for those that have jumped in to assist the Department to be able to put on all the great events to celebrate the Department’s great history.  Vice President Cleaveland stated he was encouraged by the upcoming meeting with Local 798 to discuss the whole supervisory staffing issues at Station 49 and applauded the Chief for her willingness to work together to come up with a solution on that problem.

 

There was no public comment.

 

REPORT FROM ADMINISTRATION

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

 

Chief Williams’ report covered the Month of May.  She stated that the Assignment Office is completing a revised Station 49 schedule and vacancy bids will be held in early June with an implementation date in Early July.  She announced that the Bureau of Fire Prevention continues to see strong revenues throughout the fiscal year and the Department’s EMS revenues are anticipated to come in on budget as well as the Department is projected to come in on budget.  With regards to Homeland Security, she announced that Fleet Week planning is in progress with a city wide Department Operation Center workgroup that continues to meet every month.  The physician’s office continues to perform candidate promotional and probationary physicals for the Department as well as consults return to work and work injury exams.  She added that support services is busy working on the 2016 Health Bond.  She stated that the Department is interviewing for an industrial hygienist.

 

Chief Lombardi gave a brief update on his meetings with TIDA regarding negotiations for a new lease on the Training Center and to discuss developments of Phase 1 construction plans and their effect on emergency response.  Chief Williams touched on Station 5 construction, Bureau of Equipment which has ordered 15 C-Max sedans for the BFP, a Ford F-150 for Plan Check, and nine ambulances.  The cordless extraction tools have been delivered and both rescue squads and truck 48 now have those tools on their apparatus.

 

Vice President Cleaveland asked what percentage of cost recovery the Department receives annually.  Mark Corso answered approximately 27 percent which translates into about 26 million dollars a year in EMS revenue.

 

Commissioner Nakajo thanked Chief Williams for her comprehensive report and asked if Station 5 was a renovation or a total construction development.  Chief Williams acknowledged that it will be a total tear down and rebuild and that the Division will be relocated to Station 38 on California Street, with Engine 5 relocated to Station 21 and Truck 5 relocated to Station 6.

 

Commissioner Hardeman thanked Chief Williams for her wonderful report and asked what the anticipated timeframe is for the delivery of the new ambulances was.  Chief Lombardi explained that they have been ordered and they should be delivered no later than October.

 

President Covington asked Chief Lombardi to share the discussions he has had with TIDA in terms of replacing of the training facility on Treasure Island.  Chief Lombardi explained that they are still continuing to look for a new training facility location.  They are currently working with the Department of Public Works on exactly what the space needs and what the requirements would be.  He added that as far as TIDA goes, they continually work with them on the changes of the island they expect over the next eight years with the development that’s taking place.  He continued that they are now negotiating a new lease for the training facility on TI, but that doesn’t come with renewed thinking that they are going to be able to stay longer.  It’s just a renewed lease that will probably get them another five years.  President Covington stated that she has seen recent reports about the increase of high-rise buildings on TI and wanted to know if the Department will have a larger footprint for the fire station that is currently there.  Chief Lombardi explained the different phases of the development and one of those phases is building a new fire station that will be a bigger footprint than what is currently there because of all the development, and they anticipate needing more crews, most likely doubling the staff.  President Covington asked who would be responsible for building the new firehouse.  Chief Lombardi answered it would be the developer.

 

Public Comment:  Firefighter Casey spoke on behalf of Local 798 and stated they are looking forward to further discussion regarding the supervisory schedule at Station 49, but on behalf of the Executive Board and the EMS Officers Association he wanted to reiterate that they are two separate issues, the return of RC-4 to the field as a fourth field supervisor as well as the supervisory schedule for the new RC position at Station 49.  He added that they need to reestablish the fourth field supervisor separate from discussions regarding a schedule for a position that is not related to it at all.

 

7. AGENDA FOR NEXT FIRE COMMISSION MEETING [Discussion]

Discussion regarding agenda for the June 8, 2016 regular meeting.

 

• Supervisor Campos’ Legislation

• Airport update

 

8. ADJOURNMENT

 

President Covington adjourned the meeting in memory of Firefighter Denise Elarms, who was a dedicated 11 and a half year veteran of the SFFD and Firefighter Steven Rascon who was a 34 and a half year member of SFFD at 7:05 p.m.