Fire Commission - October 25, 2017

 

 

The Video can be viewed by clicking this link:  http://sanfrancisco.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=180&clip_id=29…

 

President Cleaveland called the meeting to order at 5:01 PM.  

 

1. ROLL CALL

 

Commission President Ken Cleaveland Present 

Commission Vice President Stephen Nakajo Excused

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 --

 

Dan De Cossio Bureau of Fire Prevention

Tony Rivera Support Services

Shane Francisco Homeland Security

Khai Ali Airport Division

Jeff Columbini Division of Training

 

Assistant Chiefs

Robert Postel Division 2

Nicol Juratovac Division 3

 

Staff

Mark Corso Deputy Director of Finance

Olivia Scanlon Communications and Outreach

 

2. PUBLIC COMMENT

 

Paul Pendergrass, past president of the San Francisco Small Business Network and Chair of public policy for the Golden Gate Business Association, expressed his sincere thanks to the SFFD for their service and teamwork that helped fight the North Bay fires.

 

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

Discussion and possible action to approve meeting minutes.

 

• Minutes from Regular Meeting on October 11, 2017.

 

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

 

There was no public comment.

 

5. APPROVAL TO SEND LETTER FROM COMMISSION IN SUPPORT OF THE ALISA ANN RUCH BURN FOUNDATION AND SFFISE TO SUPERVISOR SAFAI [Discussion and possible action]

Approval to send letter to Supervisor Safai in support of the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation and San Francisco Fire in Safety Education.

 

Secretary Conefrey read the attached letter into the record:  http://sf-fire.org/sites/default/files/COMMISSION/Fire%20Commission%20S…

 

Commissioner Covington Moved to approve the letter to Supervisor Safai.  Commissioner Hardeman Seconded.  Motion to approve was unanimous.

 

President Cleaveland stated that he thinks everyone agrees that the San Francisco Fire in Safety Education program is probably one of the most important programs going for school youth as it teaches them how to maintain a safe environment particularly against fires.  He thanked the volunteers who participate in the program and he encouraged others within the Fire Department to step up and participate.

 

There was no public comment.

 

5 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 of October 11, 2017 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 October 11, 2017.  

She touched on the budget, stating that they just ended the first quarter of this fiscal year and they continue to move forward with initiatives including the fleet and equipment purchasing plan.  She mentioned that she was able to take a look at one of the brand new fire engines and she described the specification work that went into it to making them smaller.  She commended the teamwork of Mark Corso, Division of Support Services and all the members of BOE, and that they were mindful of the Vision Zero initiatives.  She touched on the Finance Division, stating they are working closely with the Office of Contracts Administration under Naomi Kelly, City Administrator, and they will be rolling the new engines out one by one in the course of the next several weeks.  With regards to academies, Chief Hayes-White announced that the 123rd academy is in its fifth week and according to Chief Columbini they are off to a good start and they seem to be a dedicated recruit class.  The 124th class is anticipated to start in March of 2018.  She touched on her visit to the North Bay Fires to check on the crews they sent and reported that everyone did a great job and they are all back safely.  She reported on the devastation she witnessed in the Coffey Park neighborhood as well as the Mark West Springs Neighborhood, noting it was nothing she has seen before in her 27-year career.  She stated that on October 17th, they commemorated the 28th anniversary of the Loma Prieta earthquake.  She mentioned other activities she attended, including a labor management meeting, a meeting preparing for the 2018 Bay Area Women’s Summit, her participation at the Glen Park Elementary Shakeout drill, and she presented at a Leadership San Francisco class that is run through the Chamber of Commerce and the all-day department head leadership retreat at the Academy of Science that the Mayor’s office coordinated.  She mentioned that there was a Bump Up Academy ceremony where they pinned badges on EMT’s that were promoted to Paramedics.

 

Commissioner Hardeman confirmed that the Department will be receiving eight new engines and three trucks.  He also confirmed that 12 engines and 54 members were sent to battle the North Bay fires and he commended them and was very grateful that the Department was able to provide that service to the North Bay.

 

Commissioner Covington thanked the Chief for her comprehensive report and was happy to hear the crews made it back after such trying and exhausting circumstances.  She also mentioned how proud she was of the members of the Department and the role they played in saving as much as they could in the North Bay, including the EMS staff that helped evacuate senior centers and hospitals.  She confirmed that Chief Hayes-White and Chief Gonzales spent an afternoon in the North Bay visiting crews and observing the devastation.  Chief Hayes-White acknowledged Safeway and Market on Market who donated items that Rescue Captains Nick Payne and Bernie Maguire drove up to the crews in the North Bay.

 

Commissioner Covington was happy to hear that there are still 54 recruits in the current academy class and stated that it is a testament to the Chief picking people who are not just ready to do the job mentally, but physically as well and she mentioned that Chief Columbine and his staff do a wonderful job of preparing them.  She confirmed that once the new engines arrive, they will continue to hold on to four of the older models to add to the reserve fleet and return 4 to Central Shops where they will be auctioned off and that any money recovered, goes back to the general fund.  Chief Rivera confirmed that they are in the process of donating a third ambulance to the San Francisco Unified School district.  Commissioner Covington inquired if the Department would ever consider donating the retired apparatus to other Departments as part of the mutual aid agreement.  Chief Hayes-White answered that they need to be mindful that the retired engines are 92 and 93 vintage and have gone their distance in terms of useful relief pieces.  Commissioner Covington confirmed that the new Ambulance Deployment Facility is expected to break ground in June of 2018 if the schedule stays on time.  The name of that facility is to be determined.  Chief Hayes-White confirmed that it will not be named the Ambulance Deployment Facility.

 

Commissioner Veronese acknowledged Chief Hayes-White on a job well done in regards to the North Bay fires as well as the members of the Department that were fighting those fires and added it’s a great source of pride.  He asked why most of the fire trucks were yellow.  Chief Hayes-White explained that the Department purchased them from the state and they have outfitted them to be the first ones to go on a wildland deployment.  She confirmed that they also have an Office of Emergency Services rig which brings the total to six yellow engines.  She also confirmed that only firefighters that have been certified in wildland fire training are eligible to be deployed and currently the Department has about 150 that are trained in wildland firefighting.  Commissioner Veronese confirmed that the Department gets full reimbursement for mutual aid/strike team deployments.

 

President Cleaveland asked that if the 54 members that were deployed to the North Bay, volunteered to go.  Chief Hayes-White answered that they did volunteer.  President Cleaveland confirmed that the Department is in year two of the five year fleet replacement plan.

 

There was no public comment.

 

REPORT FROM ADMINISTRATION, DEPUTY CHIEF RAEMONA WILLIAMS

Report on the Administrative Divisions, Fleet and Facility status, including updates on Station 35 and the Training Facility on Treasure Island, Finance, Support Services, Homeland Security and Training within the Department.

 

Chief Williams’ report covered activities from September 28, 2017, through October 25, 2017.  With regard to the Assignment Office she mentioned that staff worked on the annual vacancy bid for Suppression members and that for Station 49 members, vacancy bids will come out in the next week or so.  She commended staff for also working diligently on staffing with regards to members that were deployed to the North Bay.  Under Homeland Security, she reported that Chief Francisco continues to update the command staff on any terrorist and suspicious activities.  Chief Francisco also attended various planning meetings in preparation for the upcoming Vigilant Guardian Exercise, as well as worked diligently with Community on Information Technology and the City Attorney on finalizing the Department’s drone policy.  She touched on the Physician’s Office, Support Services which included updates on Station 16, Station 5 and other ESER projects which continue to move forward.  Chief Rivera gave an update on Station 35, stating that the project was recently awarded to Swinerton Powers and they are currently in the concept and review process.  He assured the commission and members of the public that Engine 35 will continue to respond from Pier 22 during construction and will not be affected by the construction.  Mark Corso gave a brief overview on the search for a new training facility.  He mentioned that they are working closely with the Department of Real Estate, the Department of Public Works, and the Mayor’s office on a number of alternatives for a new location for the facility.  He added that nothing has advanced to the point of discussion, but there are a number of things that they are researching and working very closely with.  

 

Commissioner Veronese asked Mr. Corso when the Department will lose the training facility on Treasure Island.  Mr. Corso answered that he didn’t know an exact date but believes it’s somewhere between five and ten years from now.  He confirmed that Station 48 will remain on the Island and the developers will be building a new Station 48 during certain phases of redevelopment.  Commissioner Veronese also confirmed that the goal is to build a regional training facility to be shared with other jurisdictions.  He suggested including space for the historical trucks in the training facility.

 

Commissioner Covington asked about the construction of the new fire station on Treasure Island and when it will be completed.  Mr. Corso stated that construction will be triggered at a point earlier than the last phase for the training facility and after a certain number of units are constructed, the developer needs to provide a fire station as part of the overall agreement and is anticipated before the end of the life span of the current temporary facility.  Commissioner Covington confirmed that the training facility is accredited so that outside agencies may use the training facility when it is available, which because of academies, EMS training, and in-service training they have not been able to facilitate additional outside agencies.  She also expressed her concern about being short staffed in years to come as the city population grows.  Chief Hayes-White responded that they are having those discussions with the Mayor’s office as well as planning on two additional fire stations in the Hunters Point and Candlestick Point area.  Chief Columbini explained that he has been around the state looking at other training facilities and getting a new facility the size needed to bring people in from other departments, there’s an array of things they will be able to do that they can’t do at the Treasure Island site.  Commissioner Covington stated she was glad that Chief Columbini is still excited about the prospects and possibilities of a new training facility.

 

President Cleaveland confirmed that the Department would need about 6 acres for a new training facility.

 

Commissioner Hardeman asked if Station 48 takes care of the Coast Guard’s new facility on Yerba Buena Island.  Chief Hayes-White answered yes.  Commissioner Hardeman confirmed with Director Corso that they are in the planning stages and all involved parties are aligned in identifying the need and the priority for a new training facility.

 

Chief Williams touched on fleet management and acknowledged the diligent hard work of Assistant Deputy Chief Rivera, Captain Serrano and the BOE staff and the acquisition and assignment of the new engine fleet.  She touched on EMS, NERT and the recruit academy that is in its fifth week of training.

 

President Cleaveland asked what the 58-day extension was for at Station 16.  Chief Williams responded that there were delays to the construction project due to inclement weather and concerns with the contractor.  It was confirmed that the extensions are not bumping up the cost of the project.  President Cleaveland also confirmed that none of the firefighters deployed to the North Bay fires were injured.

 

There was no public comment.

 

6. COMMISSION REPORT [Discussion]

Report on Commission activities since last meeting of October 11, 2017.

 

President Cleaveland reported that the historic apparatus will be temporarily moved to Treasure Island next month on the training facility property while they search for something permanent.  They are working on an MOU with the Guardians of the City.  He described his recent tour at the new Medical Examiner’s facility in the Bayview.

 

7. AGENDA FOR NEXT FIRE COMMISSION MEETING [Discussion]

Discussion regarding agenda for the November 8, 2017 regular meeting.

 

• Update on drone policy

• Commission Secretary Evaluation

• Industrial Hygienist update

• 2018 meeting calendar

• Early Warning System

• Budget Update (December meeting)

• Guardians of the City update on MOU and Accounts

• Commission Retreat

• AWSS/PWSS  update (2018)

 

Commissioner Veronese suggested that the commissioners put together a list of things that are important to each commissioner to make the Department better.  Commissioner Covington suggested having a commission retreat in open session.  She also mentioned that she is glad the Strategic Plan is going to be released soon with a General Order and an opportunity for the members to provide feedback.  She acknowledged that the Strategic Plan is a roadmap to get from point A to point B.

 

8. ADJOURNMENT

President Cleaveland adjourned the meeting at 10:54 a.m.