Our President Rick Rodewald called the meeting to order at 09:30.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Steve Hart, soon not to be from Foster City ?

Our Sergeant at Arms for this event was Ed Saiz, Daly City.

Our host Fire Marshal, Martin Van….. (Sorry Martin, I’ll pay the fine for not even trying to spell your last name).  Martin introduced his staff who made this meeting outstanding.  We were also welcomed by the City Manager for Santa Clara.  Lund Pearson McLaughlin (thank you for your continued support) donated the breakfast treats for this meeting.

President Rodewald recognized visiting Fire Chiefs, Doug Williams and Dave Milanese and visiting Building Official from South San Francisco (ok, I’ll pay a fine for not having Jim’s full name).

We continued the meeting with self introductions and a quorum was declared by past president Fort Hartsfield, NorCal Web Master.

President Rodewald invited Ray Bisal, IFCI/ICC reported on the IFCI process of the UWI code changes.  The 1999 Supplement will be available in March.  There are 3000 code changes to be reviewed and heard within the 4 monographs. If you have questions, contact IFCI.  Better yet go to the website at www.icbo.org-info.  The annual meeting is scheduled for September 12 –17 in St. Louis.

A special presentation was given to Steve Hart on behave of the San Mateo Fire Prevention Officers for his dedication to the fire service and prevention in his 34 + years.  Congratulations to Steve and good luck on your retirement.  (Retirement – ya right!)

 Exchange of Ideas (bare with me, the tape was not the best.  I’ll pay the fine)

 Mike Steward (American River Fire) – Thanks to Ed Saiz and Steve Hart for a great class.  Let’s do it again!

Dennis Matherson (Roseville) – Thanks to all who helped put the Ed and Steve show on.

Fort Hartsfield (web master) – Check out the site.  There has been a good use of the information exchange area.  A special “Thanks” to all of our sponsors!

Dave Milanese (Hillsborough) – Formally recognized Fort for all his hard work.

Terry L. (Central Sprinklers.  Sorry Terry, I’m not use to your last name.  That will cost another dollar) – Remember the deadlines for the recall information.  February 6 is the deadline to be excluded from the suit and August 1, 1999 is the dead line for the submittal of claim forms.

Woodland Fire – Remember the meeting is in Woodland and there will be a special speaker.  Also, they are working on justification for a position of Deputy Fire Marshal.  If you have something, send it their way.

(This is where we went through several points of order.)

Bill Gall (LLNL) – Has information concerning an activation of a CO2 system that resulted in a death.  This activation took place during a maintenance operation.  If you would like details, contact Bill.  (Bill, what circuit was the releasing circuits and was it listed as an actuation circuit).

Mary C. (Contra Costa County Fire) – Discussed the recall of “Silly String” because of its flammability.

Ray Simpson (San Jose Fire) – Has a situation where the use of plastic pipe in a sprinkler system is showing signs of corrosion at the base of the sprinkler head (the poslock pipe system).  Has any one else seen this?

The Stockton Guys – If you what information about the Locator Box program contact Bob Evans and if you are interested in their underground tank lining testing procedures contact them.

Steve Hart (soon not to be with Foster City) – Gave advice.  “Get to know smoke control systems because of the code change.

Ray B – (IFCI/ICC) Staff has released a handbook concerning the requirements of 905.  Information is in the minute package.

San Francisco Fire – Contact them if you are interested in their criteria to address 905.

Cheryl Dominich – Passing information for Wes Arvin.  He has a building with PRV and would like information on testing.

Vern Brown (Sac. County) – Would like information from other jurisdictions about sizes of cul-de-sacs for fire department access.

Ed Saiz (Daly City) – Would like to formally thank Terry for all of her assistance during the Omega issue.

Terry L (Central Sprinkler) representing the workshop – There is spaces available in the exhibit area of the workshop.  If your company is interested, contact a workshop member or better yet get hold of Terry.

Rick Rodewald (Mr. Pres.) – Get your reservations early for the workshop.  Spaces are going quick.

Howard Hooper (UL) – UL has a press release concerning lawn sprinklers.  If is in the minutes and on their website at www.ul.com.

Board member nomination announcement (Tonya Hoover) – The nomination committee has put forward Forrest Craig (Novato Fire) as the proposed new board member. Voting of the board members will take place at our February meeting.  The positions are as follows:
 President – Larry Monette
 Vice President – Rick Terry
 Second Vice – Danielle Stefani
 Secretary – Forrest Craig
 Treasurer – Keith Marshall
 Judge Advocate – Rick Rodewald

State Fire Marshal Report- Joe Garcia

There have been new staff appointments and movement.  Joe is now chairing the 2000 Code Recommendation Committee.  Updates are as follows
Fire Extinguishers – This item is scheduled to be re-filed as it was originally proposed (6-year tear down and 1-year maintenance).
CFIRS – Conversion for NEFRT.  If you have questions contact Kim Kirkpatrick at 916/445-8437.
CUPA – The SFM is to become a partner in the CUPA process on or before July 1.

Remember that June 30 is the enforcement date of the Building Standards.  These documents are now available to purchase.

Jim McLaughlin informed the audience about the changing of the Omega heads and certification of the fire sprinkler system.  He has been informed that certification of a fire sprinkler system with omega heads can not be done unless the heads are removed and replaced.  If you need more information, contact Jim.

Chief Coleman would like to pass along his thank you to the organization for the support in the past 6 years.

Legislative Committee Report – Gene Gantt

The Legislature is in session; local funding is an issue.  No bills have been introduced that are related to Fire Prevention.

The Federal leg has a House Resolution # 4229 – 21st Fire Safety Act the will provide funding for fire suppression and fire protection grants (big $).  Please contact your local representative and urge their support of this item.

At this time the meeting break for committee work to be followed by lunch.

The afternoon program was the Christmas day fire and death in Santa Clara.

After the program, the meeting continued with a briefing from President Rodewad of the FPOs input to Cal Chiefs concerning the direction of the UFC and IFC.  Cal Chiefs has instructed the FPOs to continue to attend and provide input into both documents.  Committees gave brief reports that also appear in the minutes and the organization recognized the fallen Oakland firefighter.

The meeting concluded with the raffle of some great gifts and the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully Submitted,

Tonya L. Hoover, Acting Secretary