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SFFD leaders report mutual‑aid deployments, FEMA grant and plans for smaller academies
Summary
San Francisco Fire Department leaders told the Fire Commission they deployed crews to multiple statewide fires, accepted a FEMA grant to support hiring, and are pursuing training‑center and station upgrades while piloting smaller academies and local testing to improve recruitment and retention.
SAN FRANCISCO — San Francisco Fire Department leaders told the Fire Commission on Oct. 28 that firefighters have been redeployed across the state this month and that the department has accepted a federal grant to support staffing and training.
Chief of Department Janine Nicholson opened her report with a remembrance of firefighter‑paramedic Jason Cortez and thanked members and mutual‑aid partners for their support at recent services. She said the department has stepped up station visits and virtual engagement with medics, rescue captains and other crews during the COVID‑19 pandemic.
Nicholson said the department accepted ‘‘a grant from FEMA of almost $14,000,000’’ intended to fund roughly 36 positions over three years, with the condition that baseline staffing be maintained over the grant term. ‘‘There’ll be no cost to the department,’’ she said, while noting the department must sustain staffing levels to meet grant terms.
Deputy Chief Jose Velo summarized recent mutual‑aid activity and fire‑season data. He said teams were prepositioned to Contra Costa County and later deployed to the Blue Ridge Fire, which ‘‘as of 10 a.m. this morning’’ was about 14,000 acres and 16% contained. Velo also listed equipment and fleet purchases in progress, including five Type‑6 mini pumpers from the Office of Emergency Services and additional grant‑funded mini engines that will assist in grass and trail incidents.
The department reported construction and logistics updates: Fire Station 35’s completion was scheduled for Feb. 5, 2021, and Station 49’s move was targeted for mid‑January to early February; interior and IT work are underway. Nicholson said the department is pursuing a complex training‑center site acquisition and is coordinating with City real‑estate officials and a private owner.
On recruitment and training, Nicholson said the department is reconsidering elements of the national testing vendor and the requirement set that can have adverse impacts on women and minority applicants. She described steps to broaden access to training — including local, smaller academies and a pilot ‘‘City EMT’’ or EMS Corps program that would offer wraparound services and EMT certification to at‑risk youth — and said a new Diversity, Equity & Inclusion officer will bring recommendations to the commission.
Public comment included a local surfer who said Ocean Beach has seen a surge in novice surfers during COVID‑19 and urged caution; commissioners and staff agreed surf rescues appear to be up and said they would review data.
Votes at a glance - Approval of Oct. 14, 2020 minutes — Moved by Commissioner Ken Cleveland; seconded by Vice President Katherine Feinstein. Vote: unanimous; outcome: approved. - Motion to adjourn — Moved by Commissioner Ken Cleveland; seconded by Commissioner Tony Rodriguez. Vote: unanimous; outcome: approved.
The commission listed EMS‑related updates and an equity plan for future agendas. The meeting adjourned after commissioners expressed support for continued collaboration with community stakeholders on recruitment and training.
