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SFFD chief outlines ambulance funding shortfall, fleet condition and training plans
Summary
Chief Joanne Hayes White told the Fire Commission the department is negotiating ambulance funding with the Budget and Finance Committee after a $1.4M two‑year request was trimmed; she reported 23 of 58 ambulances average about 165,000 miles, updates on academies and station projects, and a confidential search for a new training facility with a $500,000 planning allocation next year.
Chief of Department Joanne Hayes White gave an extensive report on departmental operations, budget hearings and capital projects at the June 27 meeting of the San Francisco Fire Commission.
On budget matters, the chief said the department requested funding earmarked $700,000 per year for two years (totaling $1.4 million) to purchase ambulances; the Budget and Finance Committee pared $825,000 from that request over the two years. The department is piloting a smaller Sprinter ambulance and has deferred some purchases while pilots and data collection continue.
Chief Hayes White said 23 ambulances in the fleet (out of 58) have an average of about 165,000 miles, and that last year the department spent more than $1 million on repairs because many vehicles are old and heavily used. She called maintaining the fleet a high priority and said the department will return to the budget committee with further information.
Training and staffing updates: the 120th class is in week 14 with 49 academy members remaining; graduation is scheduled for Aug. 10 at Reardon High School. The department plans additional academy classes (120th fifth and sixth) depending on hiring needs and retirements. The chief also reviewed retirements, promotions and the recently created stress unit with new staff.
Capital and facilities: Station 35 received a key permit and is expected to complete in late 2020; Station 16 has construction delays with a tentative September opening; Station 5 is on track for completion by Dec. 28. Work at the Ambulance Deployment Facility (ADF) behind Station 9 completed demo and abatement and construction bidding will begin.
On a training facility search, the department and Department of Public Works have retained a consultant and completed a needs assessment; the chief said the mayor’s budget includes a $500,000 planning allocation for the training facility next year but specific potential sites are confidential.
Operational readiness: the department continues to receive daily updates from Region 2 (CAL FIRE region) on wildland fire resources, noted recent inquiries about available resources and said strike‑team leader capacity is an area being built up; the department deployed 11 times last wildland season. The chief also reported 101 drug and alcohol tests since the last reporting period, all negative, and several equipment procurements including engines, trucks and vans for training use.
Commissioners praised advocacy for ambulance funding, asked for further detail on the studies and timelines for replacement vehicles and encouraged coordination on public outreach and PIO involvement for programs such as NERD.
No vote was taken on budget items at the meeting; commissioners directed staff to continue budget advocacy and to prepare information for follow‑up appearances before the Budget and Finance Committee.
