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SFFD reports falling COVID cases and vaccination progress, warns of looming budget cuts
Summary
At its Feb. 24 meeting the San Francisco Fire Commission heard that department COVID cases have fallen from a peak of 44 to about 8–9, that 1,154 personnel (about 65%) have been vaccinated, and that the department faces requested budget cuts of 7.5% plus a contingency 2.5%.
At its Feb. 24, 2021 meeting the San Francisco Fire Commission received an update from Chief of Department Janine Nicholson on the department's COVID-19 response and budget outlook. "Our highest was 44. And I believe we're at 8 or 9 right now," Nicholson said of staff infections, adding that the citywide reproductive number is about 0.7.
Nicholson described a wide range of department pandemic work, from staffing COVID command and shelter-in-place hotels to supporting vaccination clinics. "As of today, we have 1,154 members have been vaccinated. Approximately 65 percent of our members have been vaccinated," she said.
The chief warned commissioners the department has been asked to plan for steep budget cuts. "We've been asked to cut 7 and a half percent with an additional contingent 2 and a half percent," Nicholson said, and added staff will meet with the mayor's budget office to show how those reductions would affect operations. Commissioner Francie Covington noted press reports of $125 million newly available to the city; Nicholson said that funding "is untouchable right now by us" while the controller and mayor's office determine appropriation.
Nicholson also announced a personnel change: Dr. Clement Yeh is resigning and Dr. Jeremy Lacock will serve as interim medical director. The chief said she will provide commissioners with Lacock's curriculum vitae and arrange an appearance as appropriate.
The commission did not take a formal action on budget allocations at the meeting; Nicholson said staff will continue to model budget scenarios and return with updates after talks with the mayor's budget office.
