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Fire chief outlines staffing, training, recruitment and health‑study efforts amid city budget pressure
Summary
Fire Chief Dean Crispin reviewed recent department activities at the Feb. 26 Fire Commission meeting, highlighting large public events, recruitment and training initiatives, several health and exposure studies, new neighborhood 'street teams' planning and concerns about looming citywide budget shortfalls.
Fire Chief Dean Crispin told the San Francisco Fire Commission on Feb. 26 that the San Francisco Fire Department is pursuing recruitment and training initiatives, conducting multiple health studies for firefighters and preparing neighborhood‑based response teams while facing looming city budget shortfalls.
“Since the fire commission meeting February twelfth, 2025,” Crispin opened his report, listing public events the department supported — including the Lunar New Year parade and the NBA All‑Star weekend — and thanking staff and affiliated groups for staffing large public safety operations. He said the department is coordinating with other city agencies, including the sheriff’s office, police and public utilities, to improve water supply and response capacity in the Sunset District.
Crispin also updated the commission on hiring and promotions. He said the department is completing the lieutenant’s exam and expects a new lieutenant’s list on March 11. The department is recruiting for two academy classes this year: a level‑1 EMT class planned to start April 7 (about 15 positions) and a level‑2 firefighter‑paramedic class planned to start May 5 (about five positions). A July academy with roughly 50 probationary members is also in planning.
On health and wellness, Deputy Chief of Administration Sayumi Brannan and Batt. Chief Matt Alba described multiple studies and programs. Brannan summarized outreach and recruitment, including a citywide job fair, and said the department is expanding public information and video recruitment work. Alba said a nutrition study and a ciforaphane study (a broccoli‑derived phytochemical trial) are underway, with ciforaphane results expected in April or May. He also described ongoing environmental monitoring around fuel pump exposures and an infrared‑sauna study being coordinated with UCSF.
Crispin raised budget concerns. He told commissioners the city projected a $253 million shortfall for the fiscal year 2025 and a potential $623 million deficit for 2026. He said the fire department’s budget submission prioritized fleet and facilities and that the department was “unable to meet the required target budget reductions of 15% for the other departments,” adding that cutting that amount would, in his view, threaten member safety and service delivery.
Crispin described a shift toward neighborhood‑based “street teams” made up of 5–7 members from police, social workers and other partners focused on recurring local problems. He also highlighted a suite of internal activities: training workshops called “like work, like pay,” a lieutenant promotion exam and an ongoing focus on succession planning for K‑9 and task‑force deployments.
Commissioners asked for follow‑up detail on some items; Commissioner Steven Nakajo asked about scheduling ride‑alongs with Supervisor Cheryl’s office, and commissioners expressed interest in receiving calendars for large exercises such as the active‑shooter full‑skill exercise planned at Oracle Park in March.
Why it matters: The report laid out how the department is balancing operational demands, recruitment and safety research while preparing for potential budget reductions. The health studies and environmental monitoring could inform department policies on exposures and long‑term member health.
What’s next: The commission asked staff for continued updates and event notifications. The department will pursue budget advocacy and department priorities with the mayor’s office and the Board of Supervisors.
