Steve Johnson Fairfield Fire Department led the pledge of allegiance.

Terri S. Leyton of Central Sprinkler Corporation was appointed Sergeant at Arms.

Host Fire Marshal Martin VonRaesfeld welcomed the group to the City Of Santa Clara. He then introduced his staff: Deputy Fire Marshals Craig Anderson, Sandy French and Laura Mapes; Administrative Assistant Julie Fernandez and Deputy Fire Chief David Busse.

City Manager Jennifer Sparacino was introduced and addressed the membership. Ms. Sparacino realizes the important work the fire prevention officers and realizes some of the difficult issues they face. However, she stated that our efforts are proactive and a true benefit to planned fire protection. Chief VonRaesfeld described the facility, beak-out rooms, lunch and the afternoon program.

President Monette recognized visiting Fire Chief Russ Lee from South San Francisco Fire Department, Fire Chief William Graham from San Bruno Fire Dept., Fire Chief Doug Williams from Rancho Adobe Fire Protection District also the Cal-Chief Liaison, and Building Official Jim Kirkland from the City of South San Francisco.

Self-introductions were made. At this time Past President and Judge Advocate Rick Rodewald Fire Marshal from Monterey Fire Department declared a quorum.

A Motion was made/s to approve the November 1999 minutes. Minutes were approved as mailed with a correction to the slate of officers nominated for 2000.

Nominations were closed by President Monette. At this time the organization recognized Keith Marshal for his service to the organization as Treasurer for the past two years. Thank you Keith!

A ballot vote of the organization resulted in filling the positions of Treasurer, Weston Arvin and Secretary, Mike Stewart. Re-election of Board members for 2000 resulted in: Rick Terry-President, Danielle Stefani-1^st Vice President, Forrest Craig-2^nd Vice President, Vern Brown-Director of Operations and Larry Monette-Past President Judge Advocate. By show of membership hands motion was approved by majority.

Exchange of ideas:

Robert Miller NFPA Western Region Representative addressed the group and announced that NFPA and Western Fire Chiefs approved an agreement to publish a harmonized Code. It appears long-term that there may be two national codes. Efforts will need to be made regarding the CA fire code to make certain it contains the statutory and regulatory requirements. See Press release in minutes.

Mike Stewart-American River Fire Dist. and Co-chair Fire Service Education Committee thanked the Vallejo Fire Department for hosting the evidence collection class.

Past President Larry Larson-NFSA spoke regarding the recent dorm fire and concern for "no call for fire sprinklers in occupancies where children are housed". His organization is working with the Governor of New Jersey to have sprinklers retrofitted in all dorms. Steve Hart and Larry Larson announced that Brentwood passed their SFD sprinkler system Ordinance. Now is the time to get sprinkler ordinances enacted.

Vern Brown-Sacramento County Fire and Operations Director stated a resurgence of rave parties in his jurisdiction have occurred. Locations are kept confidential, day of the event announcements. He experienced one in an auto body shop with 1,500 people inside. These usually occur over a three-day weekend, brochures are small and not widely externally advertised. Heads up it is a real concern. Mr. Hoeger with Sacramento City Fire advised to work close with local police departments.

1^st Vice President Rick Terry announced for Glenn Peterson the Bay Area Fire Protection Forum is meeting again… Contact Glenn for dates and locations. Rick also announced applications are being accepted for fire inspector with San Ramon Fire Protection District. See these minutes.

Jeff Tarter-Integrated Engineering Services mentioned that a recent incident investigation at a biotech facility had to do with cold room and product storage. A technician detonated a chiller unit and the FD thought it was a pressure unit. It was not. Use NIOSH decontamination recommended guidelines. Contact Jim for more detailed information.

Rocque Yballa South San Francisco Fire Dept and Fire Code Committee Co-chair made inquiry regarding Community Care Licensing Dept. of Social Services residential care temporary hospice wavers. Can they or not, have non-ambulatory patients? Please contact Rocque.

Rick Rodewald Monterey Fire Dept. Past President and Judge Advocate has a part-time 20 hour/week position for fire inspector. Please call Rick.

Ed Saiz Daly City Fire Dept. and Past President stated the Fire Science Program at Chabot College has some for volunteers looking to gain fire prevention experience. If any department has a need for same contact Ed.

Past President Jim McLaughlin-Lund/Pearson/McLaughlin mentioned the NFSA will be conducting an online seminar and will be on NFPA 13, 13R, and 13D systems. He stated that it was very good program. It is directed at contractors but it would be beneficial to inspectors. Contact www.NFSA.org and take a look.

Past President Steve Hart advised the group that America Burning is being revisited. New information is being sought to make it current and you can provide input into what is published in the document. This will be an important document. Chief Coleman is also member of the panel. Please provide input at the website or write to US fire Administration as soon as possible.

Howard Hopper Underwriters Laboratory stated that UL periodically publishes investigation reports and some may not be receiving them. However, if you are not receiving these publications and would like to, contact Howard. The second item brought to the groups attention was that UL has completed their window bar release investigation and is so noted in the December 17, 1999 publication.

Gordon Simpkinson asked if any jurisdiction has standards for fire alarm annunciation and where they are installed in relation to entrance to facilities. Anyone with standards please contact him.

Fire Marshal Bill Lichtenberger, Newark Fire Department announced a CA Fire Alarm Code Seminar Series March 27, 28 and 29^th. See Flyer in these minutes.

Past President and Webmaster Fort Hartsfield mention a few items concerning the website. A new intermediate page offers exchange of ideas or new exchange web based interactive type. It does not post automatically on both. Fort is looking for feedback on which one you prefer and the Board will then decide which one will stay. The option allows you to be a registered user and will show indicators of new messages and they will be book marked as read. Registration is optional. Also looking for Web site sponsors. Need desperately new sponsors to help cover the costs of maintaining an online program. Please see Fort.

Terry S. Leyton Central Sprinkler Corporation and member of the CFPI Workshop Committee announced that February 8^th is vendor day. Currently scheduled from 9am-4pm. Vendors will be there all day along with educational seminars.

Steve Johnson Fairfield announced that the March Meeting of the organization will be in Fairfield at the Anheuser-Bush facility and pre-registration is required. See Flyer in these minutes.

1. No SFM yet. Woody Allshouse still the acting State Fire Marshal.
2. Nancy Wolfe has been appointed as the Chief of Fire Prevention. She is also the Acting Assistant State Fire Marshal and was introduced.
3. Paul Ditzen-Chief of Coast-Cascade Code Enforcement retired on January 14th. Hugh Council who assumed the position on January 18th is replacing him.
4. Fire Engineering-State Responsibility Areas and Fire Engineering-Local Responsibility Areas are being merged and will be under Bob Irby.
5. Capital Services Area Office no longer designated as such. It is now the Sacramento Branch Office and it's staff report to Hugh Council at Coast-Cascade.
6. SFM still working with the Building Standards Commission Year 2000 Committee. For details see these minutes. The BSC web page is www.bsc.ca.gov
7. Joe Perry stated at the Building Standards Commission meeting that the 2000 UFC will hit the streets around mid-February.
8. Chief Wolfe addressed the membership at Santa Clara and reiterated that the SFM is quite alive and she voiced her support for the mission of the group. Further, she wants the membership to know that the SFM's support for the group is long-term and dedicated.

Legislative Report – Dan Najara-CDF/Office of the State Fire Marshal

See report in these minutes.

Michael J. Ferreira, P.E. – Hughes Associates, Inc.

Thank you City of Santa Clara and all contributors for an excellent and well-attended meeting! Much appreciation is extended to the Santa Clara Fire Department and all staff for making the necessary arrangements. The organization appreciates all raffle contributions that support the organization and committee activities.

President Monette adjoined the meeting at 1420 hours.

Note that the next two meetings require pre-registration. See enclosure.

Respectfully submitted,

Forrest M. Craig, Secretary