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Rules committee forwards ordinance to let city employees donate to Firefighters and EMS Behavioral Health Foundation via payroll deduction
Summary
The San Francisco Rules Committee voted unanimously to send to the full Board an ordinance that would add the San Francisco Firefighters and EMS Behavioral Health Foundation to the city payroll-deduction program, following public testimony from firefighters and union representatives about gaps in behavioral-health support.
The San Francisco Rules Committee on Monday voted to forward to the full Board of Supervisors an ordinance to add the San Francisco Firefighters and EMS Behavioral Health Foundation to the city’s payroll-deduction program for employee donations.
The measure, which would amend chapter 16, article 5 of the Administrative Code to permit city officers and employees to make voluntary donations to the foundation by payroll deduction, was moved forward with a positive recommendation and no objections.
The legislation’s sponsor, Supervisor Madeline, told the committee the code already permits employees to use payroll deduction to support credit unions, employee associations and local charitable funds, and that adding the Behavioral Health Foundation would let San Francisco firefighters, paramedics and EMTs contribute to an organization that provides emergency grants when standard benefits do not cover urgent needs.
Walter Villasencio, a retired San Francisco firefighter who identified himself as president of the San Francisco Firefighter and EMS Behavioral Health Foundation, told the committee the group provides short-term emergency grants to active and retired members and their families who face behavioral-health crises. “Our mission is simple. We're here to bridge a financial gap through emergency grants to any SFFD member, retired or active, in a behavioral health crisis who wants to get help and but cannot afford the necessary resources for that help,” Villasencio said.
Adam Wood, vice president of the San Francisco Firefighters Cancer Prevention Foundation, urged the committee to allow the Behavioral Health Foundation to use payroll deduction in the same way his organization has used it after the city discontinued a separate combined-charities program. He said foundations using payroll deduction coordinate with the fire department’s payroll office to minimize extra work for payroll staff.
Alec Kauff, president of San Francisco Firefighters Local 798, Stan Lee, a former president of the Asian Firefighter Association and member of the Behavioral Health Foundation’s executive board, and Heather Buren, vice president of the Behavioral Health Foundation and a former captain of the fire department’s behavioral health unit, each described the program’s role filling gaps that can arise when members exhaust leave or lack funds for travel, childcare, or immediate counseling. Buren said the Behavioral Health Unit often meets members “when they're barely hanging on,” and that emergency grants can keep people afloat while they access longer-term care.
The committee vote to send the ordinance to the full board with a positive recommendation was recorded after President Mandelmann made the motion; Vice Chair Cheryl (Sherrill) voted aye, Member Madamman voted aye, and Chair Shamone Walton voted aye. The motion passed without objection.
If adopted, the change would allow employees to designate portions of their paychecks for voluntary donations to the foundation; the ordinance does not direct any city funds to the foundation. Items acted on at the rules committee are expected to appear on the Board of Supervisors agenda for July 28, 2025, unless otherwise noted.
The committee’s action sends the policy decision to the full Board for final consideration.
