S.F. Fire chief sets staff vaccine deadlines as COVID cases ebb; on‑site clinic available by appointment

Chief of Department Janine Nicholson told the San Francisco Fire Commission that COVID‑19 cases among department members had peaked in recent weeks and were trending downward but that the department is enforcing city vaccination timelines. "Our frontline members must be fully vaccinated by October 13," Nicholson said, and she outlined staggered deadlines for different vaccines so members’ immunity would be established by that date. She added that other department employees must be fully vaccinated by November 1.

Nicholson said the department physician's office has been approved to serve as an on‑site vaccinator by appointment and that both Pfizer and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) doses would be available. She described the reporting process: members must update vaccination status before the October deadline and medical and religious exemptions are vetted through City Department of Human Resources.

During questions from commissioners, Nicholson declined to give a precise count of doses administered but said some members who were previously reluctant have since been vaccinated. The department’s deputy reported that rapid antigen testing secured from the California Department of Public Health is being used to identify cases and reduce spread among crews.

The commission did not take a formal vote on policy changes at the meeting; commissioners asked the secretary to ensure that prior meeting minutes accurately reflect earlier, robust discussion of unvaccinated members. The commission’s discussion emphasized public‑safety reasons for vaccination deadlines and the department’s reliance on DHR for exemptions and enforcement.