Dear Council Members,
As long-time volunteers with the Sebastopol Fire Department, we, the undersigned, have two requests:
1. Invite Interim Fire Chief Jack Piccinini to give his analysis and insights on the Report developed by Matrix Consulting Group, following the Matrix presentation.
2. Schedule an additional SPECIAL City Council Meeting – Study Session, no later than midFebruary, to discuss the “Short and Long Term Plan of the Future of the Sebastopol Fire Department” as an alternative to consolidation.
The SPECIAL City Council Meeting set for 6 PM January 31, 2023 is deemed a Study Session to allow Matrix Consulting Group the opportunity to present and discuss the results of its Fire Department Feasibility Study of the Sebastopol Fire Department. The Study Session Agenda states that the Matrix Consulting Group was retained by the City of Sebastopol “to review the current fire service delivery system and to examine the feasibility of alternative delivery systems”. Ironically, no mention is made, let alone analyzed in the Matrix Final Report, as to the feasibility of the “Short and Long Term Plan of the Future of the Sebastopol Fire Department” as an alternate delivery system. Why not? The “Short and Long Term Plan for the Future of the Sebastopol Fire Department”, was drafted by officers of the Sebastopol Fire Department, including Interim Fire Chief Jack Piccinini, in early 2022. This document was submitted to the City Council Ad Hoc Fire Committee [Council Members Slayter and Rich] for the May 17, 2022 council meeting at which the consolidation proposal was presented by Rich and Slayter. However, the document was not included in the packets of the May 17, 2022 council meeting, nor was it was discussed by the Ad Hoc committee as an alternative to consolidation. Yet, it offers a very realistic phased plan to allow the Sebastopol Fire Department to maintain its high level of service to the Sebastopol community and remain an independent department of the City. Why was it not discussed?
The residents of Sebastopol deserve transparency about the future of the Sebastopol Fire Department, in the context of the issues it currently faces – staffing, vehicle replacement, fire station up-grade, bond issues, parcel tax. This can only occur when all alternatives are explored with these issues in mind.
No one is better able to speak about the current status and future of the Sebastopol FD than Interim Fire Chief Jack Piccinini. He is eminently qualified. Jack was born and raised in Sebastopol and has well over 40 years of professional fire service experience, starting as a 13 year old volunteer with the Hessel Fire Department. He subsequently joined the Santa Rosa Fire Department in 1974, following graduation from Analy HS. He served for 41 years in the Santa Rosa FD until his retirement in 2016, rising from firefighter to battalion commander. In 2017 he became Interim Fire Chief of Central Fire Authority, assisting in the merger of the Windsor and Rincon Valley Fire Departments which has devolved into the Sonoma County Fire Protection District. Jack has been a volunteer with the Sebastopol FD, since 1976, retaining the rank of captain and training officer. His knowledge, leadership, skills, and experience are second to none. He must be invited to speak to the findings and conclusion of the Matrix Report as well as the Short and Long Term Plan for the Future of the Sebastopol Fire Department.
Thank you for considering our request.
Ray Senn [Volunteer – 43 years] and Joe Pogar [Volunteer – 22 years]