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San Francisco paramedic tells commission ambulance service is short on vehicles; asks commissioners to press mayor for additional funds
Summary
James Green, a San Francisco paramedic and resident, told the Police Commission the city requested $9.8 million to address ambulance shortages but received $3 million and urged commissioners to lobby the mayor for the remainder; he warned the city is not meeting a state mandate to handle 80% of calls, reporting roughly 72% coverage.
James Green, a San Francisco resident and city paramedic, urged the Police Commission on July 2 to use its influence with the mayor to secure additional funding for ambulance services.
"The ambulance service is arriving at a critical point," Green said during general public comment, warning that paramedics and police are increasingly subject to "medic to follow" incidents where no ambulances are available. He said his group presented a plan seeking $9,800,000 but received only $3,000,000, and that the city is failing to meet a state benchmark of responding to 80 percent of total calls, instead achieving about 72 percent.
Green said internal capabilities for field stabilization are limited for severe internal injuries and emphasized the need for rapid transport to trauma centers. He asked commissioners—mayoral appointees—to lobby the mayor on behalf of paramedics and the fire department for additional funding.
Commissioners acknowledged receipt of Green’s written packet and thanked paramedics for their work but did not take a formal vote or direct staff to a course of action at the meeting. Green’s request was recorded as public comment and may be taken up during future budget discussions or by other city bodies responsible for allocating funds.
