Fire Commission adopts updated 2021 statement of purpose, emphasizing equity and open meetings

The San Francisco Fire Commission voted unanimously on March 24 to adopt an amended Annual Statement of Purpose for 2021 that emphasizes the department's mission, workforce development, fiscal responsibility and open public meetings.

After discussion about formatting and ensuring the statement reflected the department's workforce- and community'diversity goals, a motion to adopt the updated text carried. The secretary read the approved language into the record, beginning: "The mission of the San Francisco Fire Department is to protect the lives and property of the people of San Francisco and its visitors from fires, natural disasters, accidents, hazardous material incidents, and other causes requiring a rapid and skilled response by land or water..." The secretary recorded, "There were 5 A's and 0 nay's." as the formal outcome.

Commissioners said the revision process was meticulous and credited command staff and others who reviewed drafts. Several commissioners asked that the adopted statement be distributed to department members and that the commission read the document into the public record when possible so members of the public watching remotely can follow the full text.

The adopted statement sets out the commission's role to set policy and support the administration, encourages recruitment that reflects the city's diversity and calls for regular open meetings to inform and educate the public. The commission did not take additional regulatory or budget action under this item.