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Chief Crispin highlights community outreach, Related Companies station offer and Waymo coordination
Summary
Chief Dean Crispin’s report described station visits, a stabilization unit ribbon cutting, a private developer’s offer to build a new firehouse in exchange for land, coordination concerns about Waymo on Market Street, and recognition of department awards and the recent line‑of‑duty death of a longtime firefighter.
Chief of Department Dean Crispin opened the Fire Commission meeting on May 14 with an overview of recent department activities, station visits and interagency outreach.
Crispin said he and command staff have completed several station visits to gather member feedback and are using that input to develop department policy. He described a mayoral ribbon cutting for a Stabilization Unit at 822 Gary Boulevard, a facility with four beds for moderate‑acuity patients and intended short stays and warm handoffs into longer‑term care, noting street crisis response teams frequently bring patients there.
Crispin recounted a ride‑along with a neighborhood street team in the Tenderloin and praised coordination with San Francisco Police Department, Department of Public Health, Department of Emergency Management and other agencies. He also noted department participation in community events including the Alliance Club Awards, Jefferson Square Park cleanup and outreach with affinity groups that support recruitment and community CPR training.
Crispin said the Related Companies has offered to build a new fire station that would relocate Station 13 and Station 30; in exchange the company would develop the existing Station 13 parcel with a high‑rise. He said early planning and hearings will treat the Battery Street site as historic and noted the department intends to support Related Companies in planning hearings.
Crispin said Waymo has been approved to operate on Market Street and the department has concerns about ensuring autonomous vehicle operations do not obstruct apparatus responses; he said the department has been in dialogue with Waymo to address those risks.
The chief recognized members honored for rescues and community service, and announced the death of Firefighter Richard Cawkin of Engine 36, a 28‑year department member. He closed his report by thanking retiring Chief Bill Scott and Deputy Chief David Lazar for their service and leadership.
Public comment preceding the report included Eileen Volkin of the Coalition for San Francisco Neighborhoods, who urged the Fire Commission to adopt a resolution supporting Assembly Bill 1181 related to firefighter care and noted upcoming Board of Supervisors items on fire apparatus purchasing and a benefit payment waiver for the Fire Department.
