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SFFD reports fatal structure fire, rising Narcan use and clears path for department drone purchase
Summary
Deputy Chief Victor Worsch reported a September second-alarm fire with civilian fatalities, summarized EMS success stories and statistics on high-frequency callers, and confirmed the city cleared the department to purchase a drone; commissioners asked about a spike in Narcan administrations and ambulance availability metrics.
Deputy Chief Victor Worsch presented the operations report for September, describing one second-alarm incident on Sept. 25 at 29 Thornton (no injuries) and a first-alarm at 88 Delano where two civilians died despite rescue efforts. Worsch reported 17 first-alarm fires, four wildland fires and multiple rescues including surf and cliff rescues; the division also tracked community outreach and academy graduations.
The EMS report included statistics on frequent callers: 1,046 calls tied to 58 unique individuals during the reporting period, with 48 of the top callers self-identifying as homeless. Staff highlighted success stories of individuals placed into treatment and housing with follow-up support.
Commissioners focused on a steep increase in Narcan administrations reported in the EMS metrics. One commissioner noted a jump in May to about 191 administrations and a further rise to roughly 214 by September. Deputy Chief Worsch and staff said fentanyl is likely a contributing factor, that Narcan reversals indicate opioid involvement, and that definitive lab identification (fentanyl vs. heroin) often occurs later at hospital labs.
On resource readiness, staff walked the commission through a daily "level" chart showing minutes per day with different ambulance-availability levels; for example, on Sept. 30 the department recorded roughly 99 minutes at level 0 (no ambulances available) and 490 minutes when 7 or fewer ambulances were available across the 24-hour day.
On technology and procurement, the commission heard that the city attorney's office, COIT and Office of Contract Administration have cleared the SFFD to move forward with a drone purchase. Finance and planning staff said federal and homeland-security approvals are in hand and that procurement specs were being prepared for submission; the next steps cited included a Certificate of Authorization and pilot training.
What happens next: Staff will provide follow-up briefings on EMS trends and proposed operational tactics to address high-frequency callers and fentanyl-driven overdose responses; procurement staff will return with procurement timetables and funding details for the drone program.
