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SFFD reports dozens deployed to California wildfires; chiefs flag smoke exposure and rotate crews for rest
Summary
Department officials said about two dozen San Francisco members were deployed to state wildfires in multi‑agency strike teams; department leaders said morale is high but long deployments and smoke exposure raise health concerns and there is no durable respirator solution for extended wildland shifts.
Department leaders told the commission that San Francisco continues to support statewide wildfire response with engine companies, strike teams and incident management teams. The deputy reported 24 members and multiple engines were assigned to the Dixie and Monument fires and that crews are rotating to provide rest; one incident was about 43% contained at the time of the report.
Commissioners asked about staffing impact from repeated rotations and whether the department has protective breathing equipment for extended wildland deployments. The deputy said about 200 department members are trained for wildland response and that crews typically deploy for two weeks with rest periods between rotations. He said there is currently no industry‑adopted respirator that can protect personnel for the sustained heavy exertion and remote hiking required during wildland operations: "There's nothing in the industry... that's gonna last for 24 hours working on these environments," the deputy said.
Chiefs described wellness and health programs, including targeted rapid testing and a '30 in, 30 out' health screening program starting Sept. 20 to support long‑term member health. Commissioners asked staff to monitor staffing impacts from COVID absences and wildland deployments and to report back on rotations and medical protections.
