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Fire Commission told city faces $250 million shortfall; department prioritizes frontline operations while expanding EMS pandemic response
Summary
Deputy director Mark Corso briefed the commission on a roughly $250 million city-wide budget shortfall and strategies to protect frontline services. Chief Janine Nicholson and EMS leaders described COVID-19 response measures, one staff positive case, and EMS adaptations including new equipment and an advice line.
The San Francisco Fire Commission on June 24 received an update on the department'and city budget, followed by reports on COVID-19 cases, union communications and EMS operational changes.
Mark Corso, the department's deputy director for finance and planning, told commissioners that the administration and mayor's office are working to close about a $250 million citywide deficit. Corso said the department is evaluating capital and equipment deferrals and considering financing alternatives such as lease-purchase models to move cash obligations out of the current year. "The overall goal is to shift any cash obligations in the current year down the line a little bit," he said, but noted limited flexibility because much of the department's budget covers frontline operations.
Chief Janine Nicholson reported one member of the department had tested positive for COVID-19 and three additional employees were quarantining after close contact; all were isolating at home with mild illness or precautions. She said stations continue enhanced cleaning and that PPE supplies were maintaining the department's needs. Nicholson also described collaboration with the Department of Public Health and other agencies on alternate behavioral-health response plans and praised EMS 6'staff for recent efforts to move vulnerable people into housing.
Assistant Deputy Chief Sandy Tong gave an overview of EMS'specific changes: the department created a dedicated RC5 to oversee scene safety, established a COVID advice line for members, and acquired tools to reduce provider exposure during high-risk procedures, including a mechanical CPR device (Lucas) and video laryngoscopes. Tong said call volume decreased by roughly 10'20% since March and that response times slightly improved, while time at hospitals increased modestly as crews followed enhanced decontamination and reporting procedures. She also described a per-diem H8 academy that produced additional surge capacity and an EMT academy scheduled to graduate in July.
Commissioners asked about Station 13'the planned rebuild tied to housing by Related'and were told the Board of Supervisors has approved an early property transfer; affordable housing funded by that transaction will be located elsewhere in Chinatown. Nicholson said the Department of Real Estate is negotiating a training-facility site and details will be provided to the commission when negotiations conclude.
Commissioners thanked department leaders for the operational reports and noted interest in future agenda items on Station 13, fireboats and PIO communications.
