Board approves funding and 50 new fire positions to address paramedic shortages

The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on Dec. 14 to approve a mid-year supplemental appropriation and an accompanying salary-ordinance amendment to add 50 positions to the San Francisco Fire Department to address paramedic staffing shortages.

Supervisor Safaíe, the item’s sponsor, told colleagues the measure follows an analysis showing rising call volume since 2015, growing sick leave among paramedics and declining staffing relative to negotiated operating expectations. The supplemental includes roughly $2.5 million in general-fund reserve to increase staffing in fiscal year 2021–22; a separate salary ordinance adds 50 new positions to the Fire Department’s roster.

Why it matters: City leaders and public-safety officials described the proposal as a public-safety response to lengthy emergency response times and attrition among paramedics. The supplemental aims to increase staffing quickly while the city continues longer-term planning.

What the board said and did: Supervisor Safaie detailed the problem set and thanked the fire chief, the Department of Public Health and labor representatives for participation in planning. The controller’s office completed an analysis supporting the magnitude of the need. After an initial roll call and a rescind motion intended to ensure a complete roll call vote, the board ultimately adopted the supplemental and the salary ordinance on first reading with unanimous votes.

Operational detail: The funding is a placeholder to get new paramedics on board soon; the plan calls for phased hiring (roughly 23–24 in initial phase and the remainder to reach 50). Supervisors said the action is a first major step and that future budget cycles will revisit longer-term staffing needs.

Ending: The board directed departments to move quickly to recruit and staff the positions while following up in the next budget cycle to ensure sustained levels of paramedic coverage.