Fire commission approves minutes; chief highlights apparatus funding push, PPE bags and paramedicine graduation

The San Francisco Fire Commission on May 28 approved minutes from its May 14 meeting and heard department reports that emphasized aging apparatus, new staff training and steps to reduce firefightershousehold exposure to carcinogens.

Commission action: The commission voted to approve the minutes from the May 14, 2025 regular meeting. Commissioners recorded votes for the motion included President Marcy Frazier (aye) and Vice President Paula Collins (aye); the motion passed. The transcript does not identify the member who moved or seconded the motion.

Why it matters: Chief of Department Dean Crispin and administrative staff described aging apparatus and an ongoing effort to secure funding that would allow the department to replace vehicles and address long-term fleet maintenance costs. Department leaders framed the behested-payment ordinance pending at the Board of Supervisors as a near-term funding pathway.

Key items from the chief and administration reports - Remembrance: Chief Crispin opened his report with a remembrance of Captain Giulio DeLucchi, who died May 22 after an 18-month battle with pancreatic cancer. Services were announced for May 30 at Riordan High School. - Apparatus funding and behested payments: Deputy Chief and others said the department has aging apparatus, some more than 20 years old while the typical lifespan is about 15 years. Chief Crispin told commissioners the department has argued for priorities that include staffing, apparatus and facilities and said maintenance can cost "upwards and above sometimes of $500,000 a month"; he and other staff said two pieces of legislation (a behested-payments waiver and a sole-source procurement resolution) had passed an initial Board vote and were expected to return for a second reading the following week. - PPE/turnout bags and cancer-risk work: Deputy Chief Sayumi Bridal described distribution of turnout/gear bags intended to reduce contamination risk from turnout gear brought into personal vehicles and homes. Bridal cited internal testing and research suggesting elevated exposure risks for children of firefighters; she said the department distributed one bag per frontline firefighter and intends to expand on-field decontamination tools and training. - Awards and training: Chief Crispin announced several EMS and community-paramedicine awards, and staff reported the graduation of community paramedicine cohort No. 7 and ongoing EMS academy and recruit-class timelines. The department is piloting new driver/tillering training using Treasure Island as a driving range for recruits, the chief said.

Public comment - Gladys Wong, a resident of Lucky Street, asked the commission to support a "Lucky No Parking" designation for a narrow alley between Fourth and Fifth streets to preserve emergency response access and sidewalk clearance for people with disabilities. Wong said she had fallen and required EMT response and described vehicles parking on sidewalks that block access for emergency vehicles. - Eileen Bogan, speaking for the Coalition for San Francisco Neighborhoods on her own behalf, urged support for the behested-payment ordinance the Board of Supervisors had passed on first reading. Bogan said some department apparatus exceed a typical 15-year lifespan, are increasingly costly to maintain, and asked why previous FEMA grant opportunities were not fully pursued.

Process notes and clarifications The clerical motion to approve minutes recorded two "aye" votes in the transcript but did not identify the motion—reator or second by name. No other formal actions or ordinance votes were taken by the commission during this meeting.

Ending: Commissioners did not take additional formal action on the chief's report but asked for follow-up on budget hearings and outreach. The commission adjourned at 6:59 p.m.