NORTHERN CALIFORNIA FIRE PREVENTION OFFICERS
ASSOCIATION
www.norcal-fpo.org
Danielle Stefani, PRESIDENT
January 25, 2002
Minutes - Monthly Membership Meeting
Santa Clara Marriott

President Stefani called the January meeting to order at 0930 hours at the Santa Clara Marriott.

Joe Garcia, CDF/SFM, led the pledge of allegiance.

Laura Mapes, Foster City Fire Department, was appointed Sergeant at Arms.

President Stefani introduced Host Fire Marshal Marty Von Raesfeld. Marty welcomed the group to Santa Clara and introduced Santa Clara Fire Chief Phil Kleinheinz. Chief Kleinheinz gave a very nice welcome to the group and congratulated the group on the thankless job we perform. Marty then introduced Mary Sparacino, City Manager of Santa Clara. City Manager Sparacino stressed the importance of working together. The example the City Manager used was the code enforcement committee chaired by Marty Von Raesfeld. Marty then introduced his staff who assisted with putting the meeting together: Julie Fernandez, Administrative Assistant; Deputy Fire Marshals John Signorino, Craig Anderson, and Craig Gamma; Fire Prevention Specialist Sally Morales; Hazardous Materials Specialists Angela Sullivan, Doug Hansen, Kurt Swart and Sephanie Christenberry; and Haz Mat Administrator Dave Parker.

President Stefani recognized Liaison Chief Doug Williams even though he was attending a California Chief’s Meeting in Dixon.

A motion was made, and seconded, to approve the November 2001 minutes.

Self-introductions were made. At this time Rick Terry, Judge Advocate, San Ramon Valley FPD, declared a quorum.

Rick Terry, San Ramon Valley FPD, Nominating Committee Chair, recommended the following:

Rick opened up nominations from the floor and received none. Rick made a motion that was seconded, to approve the Nominating Committee’s recommendations. A vote was taken with all in favor.

President Stefani presented Steve Metcho with a proclamation thanking him for his many years of service. Steve was very appreciative and thanked the group.

Exchange of ideas:

Gale Bate, Code Resource – Announced Vern Brown’s appointment to the OSHPD Safety Board. Vern replaces Gale who served Norcal very well-thanks Gale!

Tonya Hoover, Moraga-Orinda Fire – Requested departments who are interested in hosting general membership meetings to contact her.

Theresa Johnson, Alameda County Fire – Wants info on locking devices, in commercial occupancies that prohibit panic hardware from operating.

Ron Keefer, Menlo Park Fire – Wants info on whether or not fire extinguishers are required at PG&E substations.

Bill Tyler, Novato Fire – Announced Vern Brown’s retirement on February 22 in Sacramento. Bill also announced upcoming classes-see attached flyers.

Larry Thude, Contra Costa County Fire – Announced upcoming UFC Update classes at the end of February and in April. See attached flyers.

Sam Husoe, NFSA – Announced three upcoming sprinkler classes. See attached flyers.

George Blind, Sunnyvale Public Safety – Announced that Bruce LeCair is recovering well from back surgery and he expects to return to work in early February. George also mentioned he is accepting standards from all departments at this time. The Fire Protection and Devices Committee is working on a project to combine the standards and make them available to the entire membership.

Rick Terry, San Ramon Valley FPD – Announced that the Code Adoption Process will not process the UFC Analysis of Revisions. Rick also announced that the Attorney General issued an opinion stating the use of the International Codes by the City of Pasadena is inconsistent with State Law.

Weston Arvin, UC Davis Fire – Reminded members that each meeting a master roster is available for updates/corrections. Wes also reminded members that renewal applications were placed on each table and also available on the Norcal website.

Robert Evans, Stockton Fire Department – Requested fire protection requirements/information for boats.

Reinhard Hanselka, Bay Area Labor Management Trust – Announced a code update seminar on March 7 sponsored by the Pharmaceutical Industry. Contact Reinhard if interested.

Tonya Hoover, Moraga-Orinda Fire – Can get info on FPO workshop from Norcal website.

Fort Hartsfield, Retired, Webmaster – Informed members of the website glitches the last week of December. The individual committee "hit" counters are history. Exchange of ideas page should be ready to go again.

Dennis Mathisen, Roseville Fire Department, Treasurer – Interested in anyone participating in the Central Sprinkler voluntary recall program as it seems to be taking months to get a response from Central Sprinkler. Redding has also filed a claim and not received a timely response.

Robert Evans, Stockton Fire Department – Wants anyone with info on ESFR sprinklers in cold storage facilities to contact him.

Kent Miller, Stockton Fire Department – Talked about an asphalt saturation room in Stockton. There have been many fires and Kent is looking at a CO2 system. Anyone with information should contact Kent.

 

State Fire Marshal Legislative Report – Joe Garcia, CDF/SFM Mentioned that so far in FY 2001/02 the SFM has issued 9 code interpretations and these are on the SFM website. Joe is now back at the CDF office in Fresno (Phone 559-243-4155 and fax 559-243-4158). Joe also stated that interviews for the Deputy SFM hiring process will take place at the end of February but with the hiring freeze, a list will be established with hiring to take place at some point in the future.

 

Leslie Billington, CDF/SFM, Code Development and Analysis Division, Passed around a sign up sheet for the bedridden patients task force. Leslie also handed out some materials-see minutes.

Rodney Slaughter, CDF/SFM, Title 19 Report – See minutes.  

Legislative Report – Gene Gantt, Benicia Fire Department – No Report

Meeting was adjourned to Committees and Executive Board meeting at 1040 hours.

Afternoon Program – Ed Sawicki, Applied Materials, Senior Director of Environmental Health and Safety for North America talked about the "ERT Program".

Detailed committee reports are in these minutes.

President Stefani asked a representative from each committee to give a year end report and then thanked all committee co-chairs for their time and support of Norcal. Each co-chair was given a gift as a token of Norcal’s appreciation for their efforts.

Thank you 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.

President Stefani adjourned the meeting at 1345 hours.

The next meeting will take place on March 22 at the Yolo Flyers Club in Woodland. Bring a member of your staff, and we will see you there. (530) 662-0281. 

Respectfully submitted,
Weston Arvin, Secretary