Fire chief outlines staffing, training and station updates; new Fire Marshal and airport assistant introduced

San Francisco Fire Chief Janine Nicholson told the Fire Commission on June 23 that the department is preparing for an increased recruitment push, ongoing training and several facility and equipment projects while the mayor's budget process proceeds.

"We presented before the budget committee last week, and we will be back tomorrow for a final hearing," Nicholson said, noting both operational needs and pending budget decisions. She confirmed the current academy will graduate 23 recruits this Friday and said the next academy class, beginning in August, will likely number about 40 as COVID restrictions ease. "I don't like to do classes as large as 54," she added.

Nicholson said the department expects to add medics through the mayor's budget and possible add-backs from the Board of Supervisors but that an exact shortfall number is not yet available. "I don't have an exact number to give you," she said, and announced an ambulance work group will reconvene in July to analyze response-time data and staffing needs.

The chief highlighted Station 49's ribbon-cutting as a recent departmental milestone and praised the collaborative work with DPW and other city agencies on the project. She thanked staff and volunteers who aided the event and acknowledged family members of fallen firefighters who attended the memorial wall unveiling.

On Station 35, operations and support-services staff reported progress on utility point-of-connection work but cautioned that the schedule has been protracted by utility vault work and buried infrastructure. "We think it's gonna be sometime in October," staff said as a conservative completion date; they noted earlier projections had targeted February and that PG&E must confirm final connections.

Nicholson also described ongoing training and wellness initiatives: May was Mental Health Awareness Month, the department is increasing peer support and wellness checks, and the city is participating in a national firefighter cancer study with 10 female participants (five current members and five recruits) to establish health baselines.

On equipment, staff said a contract for a host tender has closed, enabling construction of a new apparatus, and that the department received a federal grant for Type 6 wildland apparatus; some truck and engine deliveries remain delayed.

Personnel changes were announced during the report. Ken Coughlin introduced himself as the new Fire Marshal, saying, "I really appreciate being able to serve as the Fire Marshal of San Francisco." Dave Brown introduced himself as the new Assistant Deputy Chief at San Francisco International Airport and thanked predecessor Mark Johnson for 30 years of service.

Nicholson closed by thanking staff for their work during a difficult month for the department and by asking commissioners to notify the department if they have further questions as the budget process continues. The commission asked for more detailed staffing and paramedic gap analysis as follow-up.

The meeting later adjourned at 6:15 p.m. in memory of the late Commissioner Tony Rodriguez and firefighter Christopher Yock.