NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
FIRE PREVENTION OFFICERS
ASSOCIATION
www.norcal-fpo.org
Danielle Stefani, PRESIDENT
July 27, 2001

Minutes - Monthly Membership Meeting
Sacramento
American Croatian Cultural Center

President Danielle Stefani called the July meeting to order at 0936 hours at the American Croatian Cultural Center, Sacramento.

Steve Hart, NFSIA, led the pledge of allegiance.

Fort Hartsfield, Webgod, was appointed Sergeant at Arms.

Vern Brown, Senior Deputy Fire Marshal, Sac Metro Fire District, welcomed the group to Sacramento and welcomed host Fire Chief Rick Martinez. Chief Martinez welcomed the group to Sacramento and stressed the importance of fire prevention and how much he relies on the expertise of his fire prevention team. He thanked Deputy Chiefs Vern Brown and Mike Stewart, and Engine Company 21 for marking the entrance to the facility. Chief Martinez then introduced Sacramento County Board of Supervisor, Murial Johnson. Supervisor Johnson welcomed the group and expressed her appreciation of the valuable job we perform. Supervisor Johnson gave several examples of the cooperative support the fire service has given her and she emphasized how much she understands our job and appreciates our efforts. Deputy Chief Brown thanked the following staff for assisting with today’s meeting: Fire Inspectors Debra Lucas, Lisa Barsdale ad Steve Forrester, and Supervising Inspector Steve Trout.

President Stefani recognized Liaison Chief Doug Williams, Building Official Matt Tarr, City of Madera, Building Official Don Little, City of Roseville, and Building Official Mike Rodriquez, City of Folsom.

Self-introductions were made. At this time Rick Terry, Past President/Judge Advocate, declared a quorum.

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

Exchange of ideas:

Rick Terry, San Ramon Valley FPD – Announced SRVFPD is recruiting for a Deputy Fire Marshal, a Fire Inspector and a Fire Code Compliance Officer.

San Husoe, NFSA – Announced the upcoming fire sprinkler plan review class in Woodland on September 11 and 12. Also stated there is a newsletter titled "Living with Wildfire" available at the registration desk.

Vern Brown, Sac Metro Fire District – Announced the upcoming ICBO classes. Stated that Class #325 on certain occupancy classes is full.

Terri Leyton, Central Sprinkler – Talked about the Central model GB sprinkler recall. Stated that all sprinklers with "O" rings are being replaced by Central/Tyco. The general information number is 1-800-871-3492. Information binders will be sent to each fire jurisdiction. The AHJ hotline is 1-866-836-3928. See next month’s minutes for sample letters.

Fort Hartsfield, Committee for Firesafe Dwellings – Announced the website for Community for Firesafe Dwellings is www.firesafedwellings.org. Also announced the page for the Norcal Pub Ed Committee has two new features: A calendar of events and a specialized links page. Way to go Pub Ed!!!!

Steve Hart, NFSIA – Donated another, and final, copy of the 2001 CA Law book for the raffle.

Robert Miller, NFPA – Stated he was approached by Art Cota, CDF/SFM, on fire prevention certification. President Stefani stated Tanya Hoover, Rick Terry and Bill Tyler are on a Norcal Subcommittee that is meeting on August 10 with Socal.

State Fire Marshal Report – Nancy Wolff, CDF/SFM

Announced Gini Krippner’s promotion to Division Chief in charge of the new Regulations Unit. Glenn Tong will return to managing the Pipeline Safety Division. Leslie Billington, formally with Buildings Standards Commission, will be part of Gini’s Team. Ernie Paez was promoted to Supervising Deputy; will handle Southern Branch of Health Facilities Inspection Division. Rick Arciniega is assigned to the Engineering Division as SFM’s new Investigator for Fireworks and Fire Extinguisher programs in Southern California. Tony Guevara is Rick’s counterpart in the Northern California. John Guhl will soon be reassigned to position as a Senior Deputy in the Construction Services Division. Chief Wolff stressed the importance of providing her office with feedback on SFM’s website. See the two new bulletins in the minutes. See Code Interpretations in the minutes. SFM now has the Laws Related to Fires and FF’s on their website, hardcopy no longer available, with a direct link to Legislative Council’s Digest.

Glenn Tong, SFM Division Chief stated the fire extinguisher regulations should become effective January 1, 2002. There are also two pyro regulations. The comment period for the Plumbing and Mechanical portions of Title 24 is over. The comment period for the building and fire code portions of Title 24 closes August 20. Send comments to Building Standards Commission. See information related to Title 24, Parts 2 and 9 on SFM’s website under regulations section. The SFM will produce regulations in response to SB 1896. This will affect R2.1’s and R2.1.1’s. We will start the new code adoption cycle once the comment period closes.

Legislative Report – Gene Gantt, Benicia Fire Department, see attached.

Danielle Stefani, President, Thanked Nancy Wolff for following through on commitments she has made to Norcal this year. Chief Wolff deserves a very big THANK YOU for her assistance to Norcal and the fire prevention community.

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

Afternoon Program – Steve Hart, NFSIA had the State Fire Marshal/CDF Fire Sprinkler Trailer delivered for all to view. Thanks to Steve for all his hard work on this trailer. The trailer will spend six months in the north and six in the south.

Each Committee Co-Chair gave a brief recap of their respective meetings. Detailed reports to be in these minutes.

Thank you Sacramento and all contributors for an excellent and well-attended meeting! Much appreciation is extended to the Sacramento Metro Fire District and all staff for making the necessary arrangements.

President Stefani adjourned the meeting at 1415 hours.

The next meeting will take place on August 24 at the Petaluma Lucchesi Community Center, 320 McDowell Boulevard. Bring two guests and we will see you there. (707) 778-4389. 

Respectfully submitted,

Weston Arvin, Secretary

***Note pre-registration is required for the August meeting prior to August 17 and updated policies are in the back of this meeting minutes news and information packet.