SAN FRANCISCO FIRE COMMISSION
FIRE COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, March 23, 2016 – 5:00 p.m.
City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 416, San Francisco, California, 94102
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
There was no public comment.
3. ANNOUNCEMENTS [Discussion]
The April 27, 2016 Fire Commission meeting will be held at a time to be determined at James Lick Middle School, 1220 Noe Street. San Francisco, CA 94114; telephone: 415-695-5675. Included on the Agenda will be a discussion item presented by Fire Marshal Dan DeCossio and members from his staff, pertaining to recent fires, including status of investigations.
Commission Secretary Conefrey read the above announcement. President Covington announced that there may be a change of venue for the April 27, 2016 meeting from what was announced above.
4. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES [Discussion and possible action]
Discussion and possible action to approve meeting minutes.
• Minutes from Regular Meeting on February 24, 2016
Vice President Cleaveland Moved to approve the February 24, 2016 regular meeting Minutes. Commissioner Hardeman Seconded. Motion to approve above Minutes was unanimous.
There was no public comment:
5 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 March 9, 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 reported since the last meeting on March 9, 2016. She stated the Budget Committee will be meeting with the Mayor's Budget Director Kate Howard on Friday, March 25th, at 10 a.m. in Room 201. She added that the biggest priority that everyone agrees on, is the fleet plan and she’s hopeful to come out of that meeting with some answers and direction from the Mayor's Budget Office. With regards to academies, she announced that the 119th academy is currently in their ninth week. They started with 54 recruits and currently have 52. Two recruits resigned due to injury. She touched on the curriculum changes in the academy as well as the promotional bump up academy for H-3 Level 1 EMT’s. She mentioned that the Strategic Planning Committee will be meeting on March 28, 2016 and that a draft plan was circulated from the synthesized subcommittee reports. She acknowledged the phenomenal job Jessica Kennedy did putting the draft plan together.
Chief Hayes-White announced that the 150th Anniversary will have a soft kick off on April 17, 2016 with the NERT drill and the official kick off will be on April 18, 2016 and they should start seeing advertising related to Celebrate Like It’s 1866, the motto and theme of the 150th Anniversary that they worked in conjunction with the Academy of Art University to come up with. She also announced the Chief’s Panel scheduled for May 4th at the Public Library and acknowledged President Covington and Chief Dave Franklin who have been working on this event and have invited Belva Davis to moderate the event and who is iconic in the community as a journalist and reporter. Ms. Davis has agreed to be the moderator and the MC of that event. Chief Hayes-White suggested that people check the 150th website for updates of all upcoming events.
Chief Hayes-White touched on the March 12, 2016 St. Patrick’s Day Parade and thanked Commissioner Hardeman for participating with the Department, as well as the March 16th meeting with the Mayor’s Office and members from the Department of Public Health, including Director Barbara Garcia, regarding the progress with the EMS 6 and milestones in setting the future goals and objectives. She announced the selection of the Department as one of only five sites to be profiled in the United States Department of Labor study to identify promising practices to increase diversity among first responders that she agreed to participate in.
REPORT FROM ADMINISTRATION
Report on the Administrative Divisions, Fleet and Facility status, Finance, Support Services, Homeland Security and Training within the Department.
Deputy Chief Raemona Williams reported for the Month of March. She started with Division of Training which included the 119 Academy class, and mentioned that in order to meet the requirements of accreditation they had to expand and include additional training topics and manipulatives which extends the length of the academy. She talked about below grade training on Yerba Buena Island, mandatory EMS training, and NERT. She mentioned the work of the fire reserves, and the department physician.
Chief Williams talked about the Department Bureau of Fire Prevention and how strong revenues continue throughout the fiscal year as well as the EMS revenues are anticipated to come in on budget. In addition, the department expenditures are anticipated to come in on budget for fiscal year 2015-2016 and that the operating budget for FY 2016/2017-2017/2018 was submitted to the Mayer’s Office on February 22, 2016 as presented and approved by the Fire Commission on February 10, 2016 with a few minor modifications as well as the proposals for funding additional enhancements.
Chief Williams talked about recent events at Homeland Security, including numerous meetings, workgroups and committees in preparation for training exercises and/or in the planning phase for upcoming events. She touched on the K-9 team. Pertaining to Support Services, she mentioned that Chie Lombardi has been very busy with meetings with various groups throughout the city to explain the upcoming Health and Safety bond which will hopefully pass approval on the June Ballot. She touched on the status of construction at Pump Station 1, Station 3 at the Airport and Pier 26 and possible relocation of the fireboats during construction of Station 35. She gave a brief update on the status of ESER 2010 and ESER 2014.
Commissioner Nakajo thanked Chief Williams for her comprehensive detailed full and complete report. He asked if the extended time for the academy class is covered in the budget. Mark Corso answered that the Department is covered. He also asked if 17 of the Fire Reserves responded to the Folsom Street incident. Chief Williams acknowledged in the affirmative.
Chief Francisco of Homeland Security spoke briefly pertaining to their partnerships with other agencies including the Northern California Regional Intelligence Center. Chief Castellanos, of the Airport mentioned that with the unfortunate circumstances that happened in Belgium, the San Francisco International Airport was put on high alert.
Vice President Cleaveland asked for additional information regarding the additional training being offered for wildland fires. Chief Williams explained that it is basically training and preparing for forest fires. Vice President Cleaveland mentioned that he thinks rescue training with BART is absolutely critical and was glad they were getting a BART prop to enhance that training. Chief Columbini described some of the training that was planned once the BART prop was received. Vice President Cleaveland asked what it takes to be a K-9 handler and wanted to make sure we have the money in the budget to fully complement the K-9 program. Chief Francisco explained the process and training involved. There was brief discussion on the status of Station 16 and the countless delays they are experiencing.
Vice President Cleaveland wanted to know how the department has been reaching out for donations and contributions for the 150th Anniversary. Olivia Scanlon, Government Relations and Communications Coordinator explained that they have been reaching out to various organizations by email, phone and sit down meetings asking for sizable donations and it’s all done outside of the office. She acknowledged receiving $450,000.00 and would like to raise another $250,000.00 by the end of May. She added that the contributions are tax deductible and should be made payable to Guardians of the City 150th and sent to 698 2nd Street, San Francisco, CA, 94107 and soon they should be able to be received on line through the website. Vice President Cleaveland also inquired about the recent story of the SF PUC selling off equipment that is no longer needed. Chief Williams responded that it mostly pertains to equipment that is no longer useful and is outdated.
Commissioner Hardeman mentioned how it piqued his interest that the anticipated new fire boat has hit the water, even though they are still working on it. There was brief discussion on the upgrades to Station 35 at the Port and housing the fire boats. Commissioner Hardeman also commented on how the Airport spends money wisely and promptly on the Fire Department.
Commissioner Nakajo inquired about the 3 week extension that has been added onto the academy curriculum. Chief Williams responded that they extended the academy because they have included additional requirements, manipulatives and lectures as part of adhering to the accreditation requirements. Commissioner Nakajo suggested having some type of celebration at the completion of work/repairs of the new Airport Station and Pump Station 1 at Headquarters.
President Covington commented there is so much going on in the Department and it’s very good. She also commented that the word “enhancements” pertaining the budget is very misleading as everything on that list are necessary items that the Department needs, and that they really are not enhancements. She suggested coming up with another term. There was brief discussion on the 9 new ambulances that have been received in the current fiscal year. There was also brief discussion pertaining to the development in the Hunter’s Point and Candlestick point area of the City.
REPORT FROM OPERATIONS
Report on overall field operations, including to greater alarm fires, update on Station 4, Emergency Medical Services, the Bureau of Fire Prevention & Investigation, and the Airport Division.
Chief Gonzales presented his report for the month of February. He described the third alarm that occurred on February 13, 2016 at 2014 hours at 1567 Fulton Street which involved three buildings. He commended the units that showed up and stated how proud he was of their hard work and the many challenges they faced. He touched on the Coastal Community Outreach at Ocean Beach for high surf hazard safety, the critical incident that involved the stabbing of a CHP officer and the good job of the stress unit and PIO, Jonathan Baxter for all their good work. He also mentioned that they are working on a social media policy.
Chief Gonzales talked about the EMS, and how they responded to 7,006 calls, transported 5,203 patients. He touched on the academies, the H-3 Level 1 bump up class and working on replacing the 65 percent paramedic to EMT ratio with the help of EMS, Mark Corso, and Jesusa Bushong. He mentioned they are in the review phase of the controlled substance policy as well as meeting with the EMS provider group in moving toward an EMS schedule that will allow better opportunity and to meet EOA requirements. He gave an overview on the history of the AWSS that was created because of the 1906 earthquake. He touched on the R-2 inspections by stating progress is being made toward adequately addressing complaints created as a result of these inspections when the suppression units go out and inspect apartment buildings and condo buildings with nine units or more. He added that the number of pending inspections has been reduced from 525 on February 3rd to 196 and he thanked Fire Marshal DeCossio for that reduction. He acknowledged the work being done to establish an administrative hearing process for fire code violations.
Public Comment: Ray Crawford, Senior Captain at Station 49 clarified some misrepresentations on the evolution of the officers at Station 49. He stated there are several tasks that officers no longer have to do such as bio med, gurney repairs, electronic patient care charts and logistics, that those tasks are now assigned to other members that work full time, 40 hours a week. He assured the Commission that the narcotics are secure and safe at Station 49. He also assured them that the Captain at Station 49 is more assessable than any other captain in the Fire Department and he added that 84 percent of the members at Station 49 that participated in a survey, prefer the supervisors model that is in place right now, a 24-hour shift as opposed to two different officers working 12-hour shifts.
Vice President Cleaveland asked Chief Gonzales if the media policy is being developed in consultation with Local 798. Chief Gonzales stated that it is definitely a policy that wouldn’t be issued without consultation with local 798. Vice President Cleaveland asked if there was money in the budget to expand the EMS 6 program to a 24/7 operation. Mr. Corso stated that currently, it is not in the budget. Vice President Cleaveland suggested adding it into the enhancements for this fiscal year coming up as it’s an important program as it deals with the hardcore people that are frequent uses of the 9-1-1- system and if they can triage and reduce those numbers, it can significantly help the people on the street and significantly help the Department’s bottom line. Chief DeCossio talked about fire investigations and how you can’t apply all fires across the board, it’s a case by case, there’s no specific timeline for completion of an investigation.
Commissioner Nakajo asked for an explanation on where the H-3 Level 1’s come from. Chief Gonzales stated there is not an active list for H-3 Level 2, so they use the H-3 Level 1’s from Station 49, who have their paramedic license, by seniority, who get bumped up to H-3 Level 2. There was brief discussion on the H-8’s.
Commission Hardeman talked about the third alarm on Fulton Street and was impressed they were able to knock out the fire within an hour and a half.
President Covington asked what social media was being used to get the message out about the fire. Chief Gonzales stated it wasn’t necessarily social media, but the PIO, Jonathan Baxter, and he was providing updates to the media and members of the public. Chief Gonzales suggested that Mr. Baxter attend another meeting and elaborate further on what he is doing. President Covington suggested that the media policy should be part of the strategic plan. There was brief discussion on the training exercise taking place on Treasure Island and Yerba Buena Island that included ventilation, hose leads and slopes. President Covington mentioned what a wonderful resource for the Department to have buildings on Treasure Island and Yerba Buena Island to enhance training.
6. AGENDA FOR NEXT FIRE COMMISSION MEETING [Discussion]
Discussion regarding agenda for the April 13, 2016 regular meeting.
• Update from Chief Lombardi on the ESER Bond
• Update on Davison of Airport
7. ADJOURNMENT
President Covington adjourned the meeting in memory of the people that lost their lives in Belgium at 7:05 p.m.