SFFD chief says budget submitted; $600M bond would include $150M training facility amid commissioners— concern over land and timeline

San Francisco Fire Department Chief Joanne Hayes White told the Fire Commission on Feb. 27 that the department submitted its budget to the mayor on Feb. 21 and highlighted priorities the department had requested be protected, including emergency medical services resources, restoration of incident support specialists and funding for equipment and disaster preparedness.

"We laid out the reasons why" the department could not meet requested reductions, Chief Hayes White said, and identified three priority areas: EMS resources, restoration of incident support specialist/field operations positions and equipment/disaster preparedness. She said the budget submittal was co-signed by President Steven Acasio and that staff would circulate copies to commissioners.

Chief Hayes White and Deputy Chief Janine Nicholson also briefed the Commission on personnel and training: the 120 fifth class is in its fifth week with 52 members in a 20-week academy; the department plans a 120 sixth class in the fall and is running a per-diem paramedic (H8) program to boost surge capacity.

On capital planning, Chief Hayes White said the proposed 2020 general obligation bond is slated to total about $600 million citywide, with approximately $400 million earmarked for fire department needs: roughly $150 million for a new training facility, $125 million for an emergency firefighting water supply (EFWS) system, and $125 million for neighborhood fire station repairs and seismic work. "So roughly a $600,000,000 bond," she said; "approximately 400,000,000 would be for the department out of the 600 total." Staff noted the bond must go before the Board of Supervisors and, ultimately, to voters.

Commissioners raised specific concerns about the training facility funding and timeline. Vice President Francie Covington said the department had not identified a site and warned land costs could make a $150 million line item insufficient. Covington asked for an action plan with milestones and for clearer information about whether land acquisition was included in the needs assessment. "We really need an update on this training facility," she said, pressing for a timeline and an action plan.

Operational updates included fleet and equipment notes from Deputy Chief Nicholson: January fleet repair and maintenance bills were about $501,000; six new engines are being outfitted with department-specific equipment at central shops; and work continues on an ambulance design and loading ramp. Staff also reported recent training exercises (including a weapons-of-mass-destruction drill) and outreach efforts, including a public-safety career pathway at Mission High School.

On an operational incident, the chiefs recapped the Fort Funston response, where multiple engine and truck companies and K-9 teams worked a prolonged rescue effort. Command staff said they would provide a detailed operations report at the next meeting.

What happens next: The budget submission has moved to the mayor—s office; the proposed bond would require Board of Supervisors action and voter approval. Commissioners asked staff for clearer site identification and an implementation plan for the training facility; Chief Hayes White said staff have done needs assessments but that the final step of identifying suitable land remains outstanding and often requires coordination with other city agencies and potential property swaps.

Context and caveats: The figures presented are department estimates as described in the meeting. Commissioners repeatedly cautioned that the training facility estimate could be off without concrete site data. The bond figures and program priorities will continue to move through the city—s capital planning and budget processes.