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San Jose Fire Department reports progress on recruiting and station upgrades; council accepts report
Summary
After the 2020 grand jury report, the fire department told council it has implemented women’s boot camps, station privacy improvements and mentorship efforts; council accepted the update and asked for ongoing implementation and staff follow‑ups.
San Jose Fire Chief Robert Sapien reported Sept. 9 on department efforts to improve recruitment and workplace conditions, particularly for women, following a 2020 Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury report.
Chief Sapien described steps the department has taken since adopting a strategic business plan, including a women’s boot camp, enhanced health and safety programs, mentorship opportunities, and privacy improvements at fire stations (installation of semi‑permanent sleeping area partitions). He said the department has been working with vendor partners to provide better‑fitting uniform and protective gear, updated training offerings and a Racial Equity Action Plan recruitment committee.
Councilmembers probed how the department would solicit front‑line employee input and how station retrofit prioritization would be scheduled. Chief Sapien said a formal survey tied to the department’s Equity Action Plan is in progress and that station retrofits are in the capital improvement program; staff estimated one to two years to finish remaining station privacy work.
Councilmember Duane moved acceptance of the report and the council approved it unanimously. Several members asked that the department return with summarized survey findings and an implementation schedule once the employee culture study and station‑by‑station retrofit plan are further developed.
