Fire Commission - September 11, 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 9:01 a.m.

 

1. ROLL CALL

 

Commission President Stephen Nakajo Present

Commission Vice President Francee Covington Present

Commissioner Michael Hardeman Present

Commissioner Ken Cleaveland Excused

Commissioner Joe Alioto Veronese Present

 

Chief of Department Jeanine Nicholson Present.

 

Victor Wyrsch Deputy Chief -- Operations

Jose Velo Deputy Chief --Administration

 

Sandy Tong EMS

Dan DeCossio Bureau of Fire Prevention

Michael Cochrane Homeland Security

Khai Ali Airport Division

Dawn DeWitt Support Services

Joel Sato Training Division

 

Assistant Chiefs

Rex Hale Division 2

Bill Storti Division 3

 

Staff

Mark Corso Deputy Director of Finance

Tony Boone Environmental Health and Safety Officer

 

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 August 28, 2019

 

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

 

There was no public comment.

 

4. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE FIRE COMMISSION’S RESPONSE TO THE 2018-2019 CIVIL GRAND JURY REPORT ENTITLED “ACT NOW BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE:  AGGRESSIVELY EXPAND AND ENHANCE OUR HIGH-PRESSURE EMERGENCY FIREFIGHTING WATER SYSTEM” [Discussion and possible action]

 

President Nakajo explained that this presentation pertains to the Commission’s response to the Civil Grand Jury report, as the PUC, San Francisco Fire Department and Mayor’s office would be submitting their own responses, not required to be approved by the Fire Commission and the goal of this agenda item is to adopt the responses as presented.  He invited Chief Velo to provide the attached PowerPoint.  https://sf-fire.org/sites/default/files/COMMISSION/Fire%20Commission%20…

 

Chief Velo provided an introduction of what the AWSS is, the Civil Grand Jury recommendations and the Commission’s responses to those recommendations.  He outlined the projects that have been worked on since 2010 to improve the system and how the 2020 ESER bond will be allocated if passed by the voters.  The Commission’s responses are attached:  https://sf-fire.org/sites/default/files/COMMISSION/Fire%20Commission%20…

 

The following members of the public spoke, and their testimony is transcribed as best as captured by the audio:

 

Thomas Doudiet:  Good morning, Commissioners.  I am Thomas Doudiet, retired Assistant Deputy Chief, San Francisco Fire Department.  I would like to point out, although we're all cognizant that this is 9/11, I would like to point out that we are presently at a historic juncture in the history of our city.  And it is you who are in the spotlight on this occasion, commissioners.  This is the point in San Francisco history at which the future survival of the city will inevitably be decided based on how seriously you take the Civil Grand Jury report.  This report makes two facts abundantly clear.  If San Francisco is to survive the fires following the next great earthquake, one, the auxiliary water supply system must be expanded into the 15 currently unprotected neighborhoods.  And, two, time is of the essence.  You take this report seriously, and if you understand the gravity of the situation, then there are no means by which you can avoid the responsibility of exercising the leadership role that your position as Fire Commissioners demands of you.  Sadly, if this issue is left to the PUC, the 15 neighborhoods will never have the protection much a viable AWSS as evidenced by the serial absurdities put forth by the PUC over the last three years.  In promoting drinking water for post-earthquake firefighting, inexplicably endorsed by the previous SFFD administration, the PUC has formulated a recipe for the destruction of this city by fire immediately following the earthquake.  The complete expansion of the AWSS will require an approximate doubling of the area currently protected, and a doubling of the pumping capacity, which can only be accomplished by the use of our unlimited supply of non-potable water in the new geographically diverse -- diversified pump stations at Ocean Beach, Hunters Point, and Lake Merced.  If the Fire Department continues to yield its leadership responsibility to the PUC with its insistence on the use of drinking water in the AWSS, the necessary timely expansion identified by the Civil Grand Jury will not take place.  That the AWSS must be expanded to all city neighborhoods, and that it must be done before the next great earthquake strikes has been known for decades.  

Thanks to the Civil Grand Jury, this is now a matter of public record.  But no city agency has taken responsibility for formulating a comprehensive and reality-based plan.  You are the members of the San Francisco Fire Commission.  If not you, then who will do this?  If not now, then when will it be done?  I have packets of information, as I always try to do for you, and I have one for Chief Nicholson and also for Deputy Chief Wyrsch.

 

Dick Morton:  Good morning.  My name is Dick Morton.  It's nearly 30 years since the 6.9 Loma Prieta earthquake.  Actions taken today, it still leaves huge swaths of the city open to catastrophic fire.  USGS considers the last few decades to be an earthquake drought.  Their 2008 Hayward earthquake scenario anticipates within 30 years, a 7.0 earthquake on the Hayward fault, and forecasts inadequate water supply for firefighting.  City engineers plan that there is at least 100 simultaneous fires following a 7.8 earthquake.  That means 30 times stronger than Loma Prieta.  It also means that there will be thousands of deaths, injuries, loss of housing, and commercial viability.  Property damage at 8 billion-plus dollars.  Higher if there's no city-wide AWSS.  There are 15 neighborhoods that are non AWSS, western and southern neighborhoods.  Not just the west side.  The southern neighborhoods, Bay View, Ingleside, out in those districts with over about 400,000 residents, 140,000 people live, I mean housing there.  Those neighborhoods could be ashes in a day.  Remember Santa Rosa.  It's time to correct decades of official missed opportunities, ballot, and policy misrepresentations, inadequate and often bizarre schemes, including drinking water for firefighting.  The result, dangerous and costly delays in providing AWSS citywide.  2003, this Commission said as soon as possible, create an AWSS system citywide.  That was from the Grand Jury report in 2003.  Metcalf and Eddie, 2009, same thing.  No action.  2010, the mayor, same thing, no action.  Would we have had bond measures?  But it was for the existing system.  No viable extensions in 30 years.  Fire Commission, that means you.  You're responsible for protecting the city for protecting it from fire.  So please, don't be passive as fire commissions have been for 30 years.  Lastly, you could take immediate action to ask for the portable water supply hose tender.  Take them out in our neighborhoods now. 

 

Dick Allen:  Hi.  Good morning, Commissioners.  My name is Dick Allan, and I have lived in District 7 for 34 years.  I'm here to strongly recommend that you quickly organize by the end of September a permanent task force to implement the 10 recommendations and the required responses made by the 2019 Civil Grand Jury report.  I'd like to know when you're going to announce the names of task force members, and who will be in charge of this task force?  Also, what will be the consequences if the task force does not meet the timeline due dates?  I do not agree with a long timeline target date suggested by the Grand Jury under recommendation number two because back in 2003, 16 years ago, a Grand Jury first recommended that a high-pressure auxiliary water supply system be extended to serve all parts of the city.  So technically, you are already have invested 16 years in preparing to construct this water system.  A couple of -- one point of caution.  Having worked with the PUC to help restore Lake Merced, there were five of us that filed a lawsuit against the PUC, which the state intervened and said don't file a lawsuit.  File a petition, and they will treat it like a lawsuit.  The state said to us five guys, including Mr. Morton, we'll treat it like a lawsuit, but it won't cost you the money and it won't take as long.  When I started rowing at Lake Merced, it was 26 to 27 feet high.  When we made this threat to sue the PUC, it was down to 11 feet.  Then they went into now, when the state intervened, we have a conjunctive use program because of the five guys.  That's why we have Lake Merced as it is today.  That's a water source.  It's up to around 16, 18 feet.  And because you're going to have an MOU with the PUC, whom I don't trust, we'll be tracking your progress, and we'll be ready to help you and will appear before the PUC and to inspire them to follow through and not allow any more delays.

 

Eileen Boken:  Eileen Boken, Coalition for San Francisco Neighborhoods, here on my own behalf.  I am urging the Fire Commission to accept the findings and recommendations of the Civil Grand Jury regarding the Emergency Firefighting Water System, EFWS.  I am also urging the Fire Commission to make its decision independent of any decision made by the SFPUC Commission.  Yesterday, the SFPUC Commission's decision was based on staff responses to the city Civil Grand Jury report.  During the SFPUC staff presentation, the Fire Department and Public Works Department were mentioned repeatedly.  This seemed to suggest that the SFPUC was speaking for these departments as well.  During the SFPUC staff presentation, the staff response is focused on two themes; that certain Civil Grand Jury recommendations were already being implemented, and that other Civil Grand Jury recommendations were beyond the control of the SFPUC as they were linked to the 10-year capital plan.  I have been attending the Capital Planning Committee meetings for almost three years.  And I would challenge the Fire Department's and SFPUC's assertions about the 10-year capital plan.  Between November of 2018 and January of 2019, there were major revisions to the 10-year capital plan based on directives from the mayor.  This also included the timing of when the ESER 2020 bond would be placed on the ballot.  The ESER 2020 bond has been moved to the March 2020 ballot.  The plan -- the Capital Planning Committee staff has subsequently advised the budget and legislative analyst that the ballot language will contain no specific projects relating to the Emergency Firefighting Water System.  This is because these projects are still under CEQA review.  As the ESER 2020 bond, language will lack specificity regarding EFWS projects, now is the time for the Fire Department and its Commission to add an independent voice.  I am urging the Fire Commission to determine that the Civil Grand Jury findings and recommendations be incorporated into the ESER 2020 implementation, assuming voter approval of the bond.  Thank you.

 

Steve Eliopoulos:  Hello.  My name is Steve Eliopoulos.  I'm a concerned citizen, resident, and native of San Francisco.  Since I've lived here my whole life, for 63 years, I have seen tremendous amounts of building going on in my district.  I assumed that the city had enough responsibility to have protection for all the new buildings that are going up.  That's fire material.  When that goes, everything goes.  When you're going from one house, one level, to four or five-story building, how is that being covered?  Has anybody ever addressed the fact that you're issuing building permits and you don't have adequate protection for any of the residents in those neighborhoods?  It's also my understanding that there was a proposed budget in, I believe, 2006.  It was going to be somewhere around 310-million-dollar bond to put in a better system to protect the Sunset and the Richmond District.  That got delayed, and it went up to 610 million dollars.  And when the question was asked why has it gone up so high?  Well, we have government fees to pay, government salaries, government everything.  I would like this board to consider maybe looking at getting proposals from private industries managing the fire system in this city, managing putting in the pipes and monitoring these things so we don't, or we're not burdened down with heavy taxes more so than we are now.  I can't believe that the Fire Department would have said, "We don't want this," because I know they do.  So I'd also like to know, and I don't have to get the answer now.  Maybe you don't have it, who is holding this up?  What parties are holding this up?  Obviously, the neighborhoods want it.  I believe from what I've just heard from the Fire Department, they wouldn't say no to it.  So who is saying no to putting adequate protection into neighborhoods?  And is -- can you answer me, do I go to somebody to find that out, any kind of meetings that have been held why somebody would not want to do this?  We're talking about what I just heard, something about 2030.  That's a long time.  So nobody can tell me where to go?  No.  Thank you.

 

John Tholicky: Good morning.  My name is John Tholicky.  I'm currently a resident of on Rivera Street between 39th and 40th Avenue in the Sunset.  I have a degree in fire protection.  Also, about 12 years’ experience with municipal, state, and federal firefighting agencies.  So I know how important it is for having adequate water supplies in fighting any major fires.  I also know from personal experience and from what I've heard throughout the state that San Francisco Fire Department has a very good reputation.  They're an excellent, even great fire department.  They deserve all the support they can get.  So when I hear that the Civil Grand Jury has a number of findings and recommendations to improve the water system, and then noticing that my own district has certain lack of water supply infrastructure, I just want to lend my support to all of voices -- voices calling for following the Grand Jury's report and implementing it.  And I thank you for all your efforts.

 

James Dalessandro:  Good morning, Commissioners.  Thank you for the opportunity.  My name is James Dalessandro.  I'm the author of the novel, "1906," which is a minute by minute recreation of what happened to us on April 18th of 1906.  I am also the documentary filmmaker, "The Damnedest Finest Ruins," and I had been studying the subject for 30 years as part of my infatuation with San Francisco history.  We are at a crucial juncture here.  I read the report and I read your response in detail.  There are two things that jump out at me.  First is the recommendation that we immediately build an aggressive portable water supply system.  History -- I -- I have a quote that I like to use that, "If history teaches us anything, it is the fact that history rarely teaches us anything."  In 1906, what was left of the city was saved by a portable water supply system known as United States Navy.  Five ships of the Pacific squadron docked along the Embarcadero at 5:00 o'clock on April the 19th, 1906.  And for the next 36 hours, they pumped, by my estimate, over 80 million gallons of saltwater.  They ran a hose line up Van Ness Avenue that stopped the fire from spreading into the Western Addition.  And they saved the waterfront, which was crucial to the rebuilding of San Francisco.  In 1989, on October 11th, the San Francisco Fire Department deployed and tested for the first time a portable water supply system that saved the city again, because if they had not stopped the fire in the Marina, we might not be having this conversation.  So the -- one of the strongest recommendations that you folks responded to, and I commend you for that, was to acknowledge the value of that system.  Chief Joanne Hayes-White, I believe it was in 2011, recommended, and I -- excuse my numbers.  I believe it was 40 containers, metal containers with a portable water supply system.  This is the cheapest, most flexible, most effective water supply system any city could ever have.  Why is that?  Because no other system, I don't care how much you strengthen it, is invulnerable to the movement of ground, of -- to ground movement.  I must tell you, I take great umbrage with this new -- with this EFWS idea, that we can co-mingle brackish polluted water from Lake Merced, or saltwater, with the drinking water system by building a -- by building a pumping station at Sunset Reservoir.  We don't own that water, folks.  One -- two-thirds of it belongs to people in the South Bay.  Second of all, what are we going to do?  A -- 400,000 people, you can't drink the water while we try to fight these fires.  We need saltwater pumping stations.  It is the only inexhaustible supply.  In 1906, there were seven -- 578 firefighters on duty living in the stations.  Right now, I'm told we have approximately 350.  The city has tripled, and our response capability has gone done.  We have not given them the tools or the support that they need to win this -- to win this fight.

 

Nancy Wuerfel:  Good morning.  I'm Nancy Wuerfel.  Today should be a joyous day for the Fire Commission because the civil Grand Jury has given you an opportunity to lead this great fire department to once again save San Francisco from burning after the next big earthquake.  Their report provides the supporting evidence for a detailed plan and the steps necessary to actually achieve your goal of suppressing post-earthquake fires occurring citywide by expanding the original AWSS using unlimited non-potable water.  Today, you can vote to accept all of the civil Grand Jury's findings and recommendations.  You are not limited to answering just the required responses.  You can approve the whole report.  You do not have to approve the draft responses which only serve to perpetuate the status quo of delaying the city's commitment to ensuring maximum fire protection.  I am insulted by the draft responses that state no commitment to funding AWSS citywide may be made before considering tradeoffs necessary.  Tradeoffs?  We are talking about planning to save the city from earthquake fires, especially the unprotected west side where the winds from the ocean will drive the fires uphill to 19th Avenue and beyond.  Holistic planning?  We need crisis mode planning because we know what happened in 1906, and we do have a way to prevent recurrence.  The jury states that urgency to getting prepared now for the earthquake.  This is your mandate for action that allows you to ask the mayor to set aside the bureaucratic procedures that have been denying the Fire Department the resources to expand infrastructure and unlimited water to protect every part of the city.  Your needs are not just a nicety that can wait for your turn in line to get funded.  Your job is to save lives and property.  That puts the Fire Department's needs and the jury's recommendations as the top priority for the city.  Without change, you are gambling our lives by waiting longer to prepare hoping the earthquake won't happen yet.  The mayor got an extra 1 billion dollars in June from the state and decided where it would go, not respecting the agreed-upon priorities in the 10-year capital plan.  So if the mayor can quickly change the rules of the game for her agenda, then you can ask her to immediately prioritize protecting all of    San Francisco with the AWSS system now.  This commission today has the power to tell the mayor what you must have to do your job.  You do not stand -- if you do not stand up for defending your mission, then who will?  Thank you for considering my comments.

 

Rush Dirges; Good morning.  My name's Rush Dirges.  I'm a member of the 2018-2019 Civil Grand Jury.  And I'm glad to see you're paying a lot of attention to our report.  I'm here mainly out of self-interest.  I volunteered for the jury because I live on 39th Avenue between Clement and Geary.  And in the event of the next earthquake, we have no fire protection if it knocks out the municipal water system, which is expected.  And that's why I volunteered for the Grand Jury.  And that's why I'm urging you to take our report extremely seriously and see that our fire department has what they need in the way of water where they need it and when they need it.  Thank you.  

 

Commissioner Veronese asked Chief Nicholson if she could comment on some of the challenges that the Department is facing and reassure the public that this is a concern that the Department is taking seriously.  He confirmed that during the budget process, the Department asked for 20 hose tenders and only received funding for 5.  Chief Nicholson responded by thanking all of the public for their comments and that they are taken seriously and that they have been actively working on a state-of-the-art design for the five hose tenders that they were given funding for.  She added that they are moving in the right direction and along with PUC, Public Works, and Supervisor Sandra Fewer they are working on this issue.

 

Vice President Covington thanked her fellow citizens for coming out this morning and speaking directly to the Commission.  She answered their question as to how best proceed by telling them that the Department, along with the Commission submits a budget that has to be approved by the Board of Supervisors and the Mayor's office and they have been asked to reduce spending instead of increase spending and she suggested that they talk to their supervisors and share their concerns so their voices can be heard as to their support of the needs of the Fire Department. 

 

President Nakajo thanked Chief Velo and his staff for putting the presentation together and he also echoed the comments from the commissioners and members of the public and thanked them for their attendance at today’s meeting.  He added that in terms of what the takeaway is, is that they all have a lot of work to do, but they need to have a starting point and it will be a joint effort to implement the recommendations in the Civil Grand Jury’s report.

 

Vice President Covington Moved to approve the responses to the Civil Grand Jury recommendations be approved as submitted.  Commissioner Hardeman Seconded.  The motion was unanimous.

 

5. AMENDMENTS TO THE FIRE CODE [Discussion and possible action]

Discussion and possible action to recommend that the Board of Supervisors approve a proposed ordinance enacting 2019 amendments to the San Francisco Fire Code.  Consistent with prior Fire Code amendments, occurring on a 3-year cycle, as required by state law, the proposed ordinance would repeal the existing 2016 San Francisco Fire Code and adopt the 2019 California Fire Code and 2018 International Fire Code, together with San Francisco-specific amendments.

- Accompanying materials:

o Proposed ordinance 

o Draft legislative digest

o Chart of findings supporting San Francisco-specific amendments to California Fire Code and International Fire Code

 

Fire Marshal DeCossio stated that the attached legislative digest provides a great summary of the content of the 2019 fire code and added that there are relatively minor alterations and modification to it.  He touched on the internal process of amending the codes and acknowledged the staff who participated in the process, including Captain Cofflin who provided a short overview of the modifications.  https://sf-fire.org/sites/default/files/COMMISSION/Fire%20Commission%20…

 

Vice President Covington Moved to accept the code amendments as presented by the Fire Marshal.  Commissioner Veronese Seconded.   The Motion was unanimous.

 

Commissioner Hardeman asked what the prior regulations the Fire Department had on inspecting fire escapes.  Captain Cofflin responded that the inspection of fire escapes was that they had to be in good working order but there were no certifications required, only that the building owner was required to send an affidavit stating their fire escape is in good condition and that did not live in the fire code, so they explicitly adopted the International Fire Code’s recommendation requirements for every five years the owner must be able to provide a certification that the fire escape has been inspected and signed off on and an all-clear has been given..

 

(Item 6 was taken out of order and following item 3, as Chief of Department needed to attend a Department Head meeting with the Mayor.)  Vice President Moved to approve agenda change.  Commissioner Veronese Seconded.  The motion was unanimous.  There was no public comment.

 

6.. 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 April 24, 2019, including budget, academies, special events, communications and outreach to other government agencies and the public.  

 

Chief Nicholson reported on activities since her last report on August 28, 2019.   She acknowledged today’s date being 9/11 and stated that they had commemoration ceremonies at every single firehouse in the City and she thanked everyone who came to Station 5 to commemorate the 18th Anniversary of 9/11.  She acknowledged Deputy Chief Wyrsch and Assistant Deputy Chief Cochrane who self-deployed to New York City to help in any way they could on that day 18 years ago.  She thanked Commissioner Alioto for organizing the successful Stair Climb they had on Saturday and mentioned that the Mayor hiked up 61 flights of stairs to help raise money for first responder mental health.  She touched on the urinary tract cancer screening program, the memorial service for Kirby Walker, who was instrumental in bringing light to the issues that firefighters face in terms of cancer and toxic chemicals, and the ribbon-cutting at Chase Center.  She stated that she met with Jorge Costa, Chief Venue Officer at Oracle Park regarding a San Francisco Giants and San Francisco Fire Department partnership and looking into conducting drills with them and the SFFD’s Incident Management Team.

 

Vice President Covington thanked Chief Nicholson for the commemoration of the firefighters who lost their lives in New York on this day 18 years ago and asked Chief Wyrsch and Chief Cochrane to remark on their self-deployment to New York.  Deputy Chief Wyrsch stated that 11 members self-deployed and they got on the first plane they could and worked for approximately seven days at Ground Zero and it was a very difficult time.   Chief Cochrane stated he appreciates everyone thanking them, but the acts of heroism that went on in New York that day were the real heroes.  Chief Wyrsch added that after the seventh day they realized that there were plenty of other responders that were there willing to help and there was a need for people to go the funerals because there were firefighter funerals with no attendance because all the firefighters were either on duty or working at Ground Zero.  Vice President Covington thanked them for self-deploying and for not waiting to be called and it is a wonderful testament to them and the nine other members of the Department who said, “we’re not going to wait for a call for help.”

 

Commissioner Veronese stated he was happy to hear that there was good participation for the urinary cancer screening and asked what the next steps were.  Chief Nicholson responded that if there are any issues with individual results, the member will be notified and instructed to what the next steps are, including going to their personal doctor.  She added that the Cancer Prevention Foundation Board has many scientists and physicians and they will most likely put a study together.  Commissioner Veronese thanked Chief Nicholson for attending the Stair Climb and appreciates her support.  He also thanked the EMS crews and former Chief Zanoff that came out and volunteered at the event.

 

Commissioner Hardman commented that the commemoration ceremony this morning was very good and that Chief Nicholson’s brevity is going to be her legend.  He likes the way she recognizes the people that sign the checks for the Fire Department and making sure they don’t get overlooked.  He also mentioned that the 11 members that self-deployed to New York deserve a pat on the back, especially the Chief Wyrsch and Chief Cochrane and thought it was a good idea to attend the funerals which showed respect to the families.  He added that it is a somber day and he likes when they read the names and how it’s a very moving day.  He congratulated Commissioner Veronese on the stair climb.

 

 

There was no public comment.

 

REPORT FROM OPERATIONS, DEPUTY CHIEF VICTOR WYRSCH

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

 

Chief Wyrsch’s report covered the month of August.  He stated they had 21 working fires and they were all kept at first alarm assignments.  He described some of the significant events throughout the reporting period including the rescue at the fire on Commonwealth, three cliff rescues and five bay rescues.  He mentioned that PIO Baxter was involved in 50 functions in community outreach including on August 19th at the Mission Hight School Fire-EMS program which consisted of three retired and active members of the Fire Department where the students are introduced to Fire instruction and they go on field trips.  The class has 37 students, 15 of whom are female and 10 are accepted into the girls' fire camp.  His report is attached:  https://sf-fire.org/sites/default/files/COMMISSION/Fire%20Commission%20…

 

Chief Wyrsch stated that the EMT H-3 L-1 academy will be graduating on August 4th at 1330 hours at John Adams Campus.  He added that EMS-6 expanded its operations with an additional unit to provide coverage from 0600 to 0200 hours seven days a week.  He touched on identifiable home addresses, Narcan administration, the average turnaround time for transport unit at hospitals, the Division of Prevention and Investigations, Homeland Security, and the Airport Division.  Regarding the Drone, he mentioned that FEMA has reviewed the Cal OES request to use the 2018 Homeland Security grant for the SFFD drone program which was approved, and they are waiting for the word on the surveillance ordinance, where they were asked to be grandfathered in but were denied.  He asked to take a moment to honor Lorne Morrison and Dennis Petty who both passed away from cancer.

 

Commissioner Veronese thanked the Chief Wyrsch for his report and asked who denied the request on the drone and what the impact is.  Chief Wyrsch responded that Supervisor Peskin was concerned with the issue of surveillance camera’s for privacy issues and they have asked for a variance and are waiting for the City Attorney’s Office for guidance.  They touched on the survey requiring all departments to identify every single piece of technology, including cameras in possession of every department.  Commissioner Veronese volunteered to help in any efforts to get the drone flying.  Commissioner Veronese thought the information provided in his report about EMS was good information, including the challenges that staff is having with people who are overdosing and suggested sending a letter to the Department of Health, so they are aware of what’s going on in the streets.  He touched on the increase of wait times ambulance staff is with patients at the hospital, the increase in EMS-6 calls, where he suggested changing the name of that division to include the words, homeless outreach team.  He also mentioned that Apple unveiled their new devices which have a feature that calls 9-1-1 and wanted to find out if that will impact DEM. 

 

Commissioner Hardeman thanked Chief Wyrsch for his great report and stated that he loves when he sees first alarms only as well as the graphics and videos that show blazing infernos, and they are able to keep it to a first alarm is amazing.  He acknowledged that drones are really unmanned helicopters and they don't seem to have any rules or privacy concerns with helicopters.  Regarding Narcan, he mentioned that Johnson and Johnson got fined for 550 million dollars for their use in Oklahoma for their involvement in narcotics.  He acknowledged how busy operations was during the month as he gets text messages for major events.

 

Vice President Covington thanked Chief Wyrsch for his comprehensive report and asked to be apprised of what is going on with the drone program and stated they need to expedite the process as much as possible and if there is anything they can do to assist, to please let her or Commissioner Veronese know.  She confirmed that there was an increase of 29 individuals that they administered Narcan too, and that number changes month to month and that there was no need to increase the budget for this line item and that it costs about five dollars a dose.

 

President Nakajo thanked Chief Wyrsch for his report and acknowledged that both his and Chief Velo’s report with the added suggestions or recommendations of the commissioners, that different subject matters get enhanced and developed and he very much appreciates the comprehensive report, along with the photos.  He also remarked that he was very much touched and pleased that there was recognition of colleagues within the city family, such as Sgt. John Young a member of the San Francisco Police Department, and Lorne Morrison of Channel 7, who was a close friend of President Nakajo.

 

There was no public comment.

 

7. COMMISSION REPORT [Discussion]

Report on Commission activities since last meeting on July 24, 2019.

 

President Nakajo announced that a date for the Retirement Ceremony has been scheduled for November 18, 2019, at 4:00 p.m. at Headquarters.

 

Commissioner Veronese thanked President Nakajo for attending the stair climb and for saying some nice words and representing the Commission.

 

Commissioner Hardeman thanked President Nakajo for his handling of the Civil Grand Jury report.

 

There was no public comment.

 

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

Discussion regarding agenda for next and future Fire Commission meetings.

 

• Department Physician update

• Department Physician evaluation

 

9. ADJOURNMENT President Nakajo adjourned the meeting in the memory of the 343 New York Firefighters at 11:08 p.m.