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Public speakers urge San Francisco Fire Commission to promote next chief from within
Summary
At a Dec. 12 public session the Fire Commission heard multiple firefighters and labor representatives urge that the next San Francisco fire chief be chosen from internal candidates and that the process move quickly so the new chief can work within budget planning.
The San Francisco Fire Commission heard repeated calls Dec. 12 from firefighters, union leaders and neighborhood representatives asking the commission and the mayor to consider internal candidates for the next fire chief.
"We were hoping that on this process that we'll be able to keep it internal," said Sean Buford, treasurer of Local 7‑98, urging the commission to prioritize department candidates and a prompt selection so the new chief can work within the upcoming budget cycle. John Choi, president of the Asian Firefighters Association, said bilingual staffing needs — citing paramedic Doug May in Chinatown — show the value of promoting personnel familiar with local communities: "I implore the commissioners ... to hire a chief ... from within the department."
Commissioners said they valued the public input and that the commission would use the comments in its interview process. Commissioner Joe Alioto Veronese reminded the panel that while it forwards finalists, the mayor makes the final appointment. President Ken Cleveland and Vice President Steven Acasio acknowledged a tight interview calendar and asked staff to make the process transparent to the public.
The public comment period featured multiple speakers with long San Francisco careers who cited operational knowledge, local experience and proven leadership as desirable qualities. Speakers also proposed specific priorities for the next chief, including improved training facilities, disaster‑response training and promotion systems that weigh testing, experience, education and impartial interviews.
The commission did not take a formal vote on selection criteria at the meeting; it will continue its consideration in upcoming sessions and carry public feedback into its interview plan.
