NORTHERN CALIFORNIA FIRE PREVENTION OFFICERS
ASSOCIATION
www.norcal-fpo.org
Danielle Stefani, PRESIDENT
August 24, 2001
Minutes - Monthly Membership Meeting
Petaluma
Petaluma Lucchesi Community Center
President Danielle Stefani called the August meeting to order at 0930 hours at the Petaluma Lucchesi Community Center.
Tom Elliot, Retired Fire Marshal, Novato Fire Dept., led the pledge of allegiance.
Steve Hart, NFSIA, was appointed Sergeant at Arms.
Corey Busch, Rohnert Park Fire, and Scott Moon, Petaluma Fire Dept., welcomed the group to Petaluma and welcomed host Fire Chief Terry Krout. Chief Krout welcomed the group to Petaluma and emphasized the importance of fire prevention and how much he appreciates the support of the fire prevention community. Scott thanked Cathy Marks and Cary Fergus for all their assistance with the logistics necessary to make the meeting a success.
President Stefani recognized Liaison Chief Doug Williams, Rincon Valley FPD, Chief Building Official Steve Jensen, Marin, and Building Official Matt Tarr, City of Selma.
Self-introductions were made. At this time Tonya Hoover, Past President, Operations Director, Moraga-Orinda FPD, declared a quorum.
A motion was made, and seconded, to approve the July 2001 minutes.
Exchange of ideas:
Sam Husoe, NFSA Mentioned the importance of vegetation maintenance.
David Dewey, Daly City FD Talked about the difficulty in hiring Fire Inspectors in San Mateo County so he is looking into starting a Fire Inspector Academy and wants any information which can assist him. David also asked for clarification on the changes to State Fire Marshals information bulletin titled: "Bedridden Clients in Residential Care Facilities". SFM is in the process of developing regulations and is looking for input from the fire service community. SFM will also be looking at alternative means of protection.
Lorin Neyer, OSHPD Sprinklers in R-1s email went out last week and Lorin would like support with the UBC criteria. Although the comment period with BSC is closed, comments received will still be "recognized".
Jeff Ringleman, Vacaville Vacaville is recruiting for a Fire Prevention Specialist.
Linda Brandelius, Roseville Wants info on roof mounted generators used for standby power. She is currently using NFPA 37 as the generators are run by natural gas. Lorin Neyer, OSHPD, said she could assist her.
Bill Tyler, Novato Announced that the Ad-hoc Committee on the CSFM fire prevention dual certification track met with CSFM Division Chief Art Cota on August 10.
Lew Schalit, Tech/Art Mentioned that a bay area waste management system missed a five gallon container of chlorodane during load checking. Load checking has been required since 1988 and emphasized the importance of performing this check. The chlorodane can was broken and created a big incident.
Bruce Lecair, Woodland Reminded the group about the sprinkler plan review class in Woodland on September 11 and 12. There are still five openings.
Gil Bendix, Retired Announced the 10th anniversary conference of the East Bay Hills Fire to be held during the Cal Chiefs Conference in October. Sam Husoe, NFSA, stated that retired State Fire Marshal Ron Coleman will be making a presentation on Interface Areas.
Dennis Mathisen, Roseville Asked for information on side yard enforcement after construction is complete and the building(s) is occupied for a number of years. Dennis also asked how other jurisdictions handle large R-3s with multiple smoke detectors. NFPA 72 limits six detectors per circuit. Comments were made to stay away from GFCI protected circuits and one must have a FACP before NFPA 72 takes affect.
Tonya Hoover, Operations Director, Moraga-Orinda FPD Is doing a survey on "humps and bumps" (yes folks, this is no joke!) slowing down fire apparatus. Now, believe it or not, Tonya would like info on a "hump cushion".
State Fire Marshal Report Joe Garcia, CDF/SFM
CSFM is advertising for SFM Deputys, open non-promotional exam. This is the first one since 1991. FFD is 9/13 and a copy of the announcement is in the minutes. Randy Roxson is working on a report on fire flow in new school construction. Please contact Randy and provide him with any data to assist with the report. 916-323-3796.
Regulations Report Leslie Billington, CDF/SFM
Code adoption process for CSFM. Parts 4 and 5 due to BSC by 8/31. There are a couple of items, which may hold up adoption. The comment period for Part 2 ended Monday, August 20. There are about 60 comments with approx. 70% in favor of the sprinkler provisions in chapter 9. A lot of hard work went into getting Part 9, Fire Code, ready for submission. For the first time ever, BSC will file the matrix tables with the balance of Part 9. The BSC received no comments against anything in Part 9, however, there are still about 25 comments outstanding.
Legislative Report Gene Gantt, Benicia Fire Department, see attached.
Danielle Stefani, President, thanked Bill Greene, Retired, Past President, Inspector Guide God, and Fort Hartsfield, Retired, Past President, Web God for their dedication and tireless devotion to Norcal. Both were given a two nights stay to the bed and breakfast of their choice.
Meeting was adjourned to Committees and Executive Board meeting at 1045 hours.
Afternoon Program Lorin Neyer, OSHPD Fire Marshal and Vijay Ruikar, Warnock Hersey, talked about positive pressure requirements and the "S" label. Specifically, they talked about what the "S" label means, how to enforce it and what the industry has done to meet the requirements.
Each Committee Co-Chair gave a brief recap of their respective meetings. Detailed reports to be in these minutes.
Thank you Petaluma and all contributors for an excellent and well-attended meeting! Much appreciation is extended to the Petaluma and Rohnert Park Fire Departments and all staff for making the necessary arrangements.
President Stefani adjourned the meeting at 1415 hours.
The next meeting will take place on September 28, at the Napa Elks Lodge, 2840 Soscol Ave. Bring no less than one guest and we will see you there. (707-255-4522)-.
Respectfully submitted,
Weston Arvin, Secretary