NOR CAL FIRE PREVENTION OFFICERS ASSOCIATION
www.norcal-fpo.org
Weston Arvin, 1^st Vice President
September 26, 2003
Minutes - Monthly Membership Meeting
Napa, CA
Copia, The American Center for Wine, Food & The Arts

1^st Vice President Weston Arvin called the September meeting to order at 0930 hours at Copia, The American Center for Wine, Food & The Arts, in Napa, CA.

Larry Monette conducted the pledge of allegiance and Jonathan Johnston was appointed the Sergeant at Arms.

First Vice President Arvin introduced Fire Marshal, Darren Drake. Fire Marshal Drake welcomed the group to Napa, California and also thanked Bay Alarm for their contributions and assistance with the Napa meeting.

Lee Shaw, a Fire Chaplan, gave an invocation.

Fire Chief Joe Perry also welcomed the group to Napa.

Fire Marshal Drake introduced Holly Krassner, the Assistant Director for Marketing and Communications for Copia. She stated that Copia had a great working relationship with the Napa Fire Department and that their staff is CPR trained. She explained that Copia opened in November of 2001 and consists of three and a half acres of gardens, art exhibitions, wine tasting, and Julia Child’s Kitchen. A video entitled "Napa Valley Coming of Age" was then played for the membership.

Visiting Fire Chiefs and Building Officials and Past Presidents were recognized.

Self-introductions were made. At this time, Larry Monette, Past President declared a quorum.

• A motion was made, and seconded, to approve the August minutes.

First Vice President Arvin gave an update on the Joint Executive Boards’ meeting held with Cal Chiefs/Metro Chiefs in Irvine on September 23^rd, 2003. He explained that the Chiefs will support the FPO’s by meeting with a smaller group of the FPO Executive Boards to generate a list of policy issues with respect to the new NFPA codes. The Chiefs will then present this list of issues to NFPA.

State Fire Marshal Report – Ginnie Krippner presented the State Fire Marshal report. See the report which is available on the SFM and Nor Cal FPO’s websites.

Legislative Report – Gene Gantt presented this month’s legislative report. See the attached report for more details or the Nor Cal website.

First Vice President Weston Arvin stated that the previous issue with regards to the lack of communications between the FPO’s and Cal Chiefs/Metro Chiefs is being corrected through a resolution presented by Chief Grijalva at the Chiefs Conference in Irvine.

Wes stated that Nor Cal FPO’s will create a single website for both the Nor Cal and So Cal membership groups.

He also mentioned that it is important for our committees to become involved in the NFPA Code process by attending the next NFPA Conference in Reno on November 16-19.

Exchange of ideas:

Steve Hart – Copies of the Executive Summary Report for the sprinkler survey conducted are available as hard copy or can be obtained by email. A revision will occur in November due to late submittals of the survey.

Sam Husoe – Provided information on residential fire sprinklers, the Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act, and Tech Notes on NFPA 13 changes. See the attached documents.

Rick Rodewald – Asked about whether there was any information updates to HR 1824 for the sprinkler installation and tax break legislation. Sam replied by stating that information would be available on their website: www.nfsa.org. Rick also mentioned that a part time inspector is needed in Monterey.

Pat Stranahan – Heeded that fire departments are responsible for providing fire clearance for facilities with non-ambulatory patients as stated in a Foster Care Homes Bulletin from the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

Lucky Thomas – Mentioned "The Firewise Communities Workshop" is scheduled for October 15-16 at the San Ramon Valley Conference Center, which increases wildland fire safety awareness in our communities. He also stated that inspectors are still needed to conduct fire inspections on the Berkeley campus and to contact him if you are interested.

Lisa Beavers – Asked Steve Hart a couple of questions with respect to the sprinkler survey conducted.

Sprinkler Fitters – Classes will be offered for new inspectors for free.

Shane Clary – Stated that the closing date for comments on NFPA 5000 will be October 17, 2003. He also mentioned that members should become involved on the NFPA technical committees and join as soon as possible.

Gale Bate – Stated that Chuck Lehman from UL passed away.

Kent Miller – Mentioned that he attended an NFPA 5000 meeting. He also stated that an ammonia refrigeration committee will be set up and that Nor Cal needs to get involved on the Hazardous Material Technical committees of NFPA.

Elliot Gittleman – Stated that the Fire Protection Engineers in January will be celebrating their 50^th anniversary.

Ginnie Krippner – Stated that the FLSAB will be placing certain provisions of Title 19 into the Fire Code.

Kate Dargan – Mentioned that on November 14^th there will be a one day seminar on wine cave construction including fire and life safety systems.

George Blind – Spoke about an incident in Sunnyvale in which a Southern California Company had a contract to service fire extinguishers with Taco Bell. This company’s contract was cancelled but a past employee of this company continued to service illegally the fire extinguishers at various Taco Bell sites. Check the double EE numbers on the license for companies servicing extinguishers.

Pat Stranahan – NFPA has a block of rooms available at cheaper rates for the Reno Conference in November.

Rick Terry – Has the Firewise Conference brochures for those interested in this wildland conference.

Wes Arvin – Has three job openings for Fire Chief, Fire Captain and Fire Inspector II at the UC Davis campus.

Rick Rodewald – Mentioned that for the part time inspector’s position the work schedule is flexible.

Darren Drake – Mentioned that a rewrite of the wine cave regulations is occurring.

Meeting was adjourned to Committees and Executive Board meeting at 1116 hours.

The afternoon program was a wine cave construction presentation by Kate Dargan and Cheryl Domnitch. Great job ladies!

Detailed committee reports are in these minutes.

Thank you Napa Fire Department for an excellent meeting!

Vice President Arvin adjourned the meeting at 1300 hours.

The next meeting will take place in Roseville on October 24th, 2003. Pre-registration is required for the Roseville meeting by October 17,2003.

Respectfully submitted,

Angela Giuliani, Secretary

The Nor Cal FPO’s would like to welcome the following new members!

Gary Piermattei Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Erik Anderson Retired – Benicia Fire Department