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San Francisco Fire Department faces potential 15% cuts; commissioners press to protect core response
Summary
Deputy director Mark Corso briefed the Fire Commission on a revised city deficit that pushed requested department cuts to 10–15%, outlining hiring freezes and paused capital items; commissioners and chief said they will resist operational reductions and discussed Prop F minimum staffing protections.
Mark Corso, deputy director for finance and planning, told the Fire Commission the city's projected deficit has grown sharply and that the mayor's office has asked departments to consider deeper reductions.
"Departments were asked to cut 10% of their general fund support in the first year, with an additional 5% contingency for a total of 15%," Corso said, citing revised budget instructions and a move to delay nonessential capital and hiring. He said that equates to roughly $11 million for the department in year one and similar levels in the next year, although some cuts would roll forward and not require an added separate reduction.
Corso and Chief Janine Nicholson described steps the department is taking to track COVID-related costs and pursue reimbursement, while cautioning that many regular employee costs are not FEMA-eligible. Corso estimated the department's COVID-related outlay in the current fiscal year at about $3 million and said staff are documenting time and purchases for potential FEMA or CARES Act reimbursement.
Commissioners repeatedly pressed for clarity on where reductions might fall. Vice President Katherine Feinstein and Commissioner Ken Cleveland emphasized the department's life-safety mission; Cleveland suggested options such as delaying a recruit class and pausing capital purchases, while Chief Nicholson said she would not allow cuts that would impair frontline operations.
The commission also discussed minimum-staffing protections. Corso and the chiefs noted past ballot measures and MOU language (Proposition F) that set minimum staffing and limit 'brownouts'—temporary station closures—as a budget tool.
Votes at a glance:
- Approval of the 02/26/2020 minutes: motion moved by Commissioner Ken Cleveland, seconded by Vice President Katherine Feinstein; approved unanimously. - Approval of special meeting minutes 03/03/2020: motion moved and approved unanimously. - Motion to enter closed session under cited Government Code sections: moved, seconded and carried by unanimous roll-call; closed session began at 11:02. - Vote not to disclose closed-session discussions: unanimous vote to not disclose.
Next steps: department and mayor's budget staff will continue negotiations; the commission requested more granular options that would preserve frontline response and report back as the mayor and Board of Supervisors finalize budget guidance.
