Fire chief outlines hiring plan as department readies for wave of retirements

SAN FRANCISCO — At its May 23 meeting, the San Francisco Fire Commission heard a budget and workforce update from Chief of Department Joanne Hayes White, who described ongoing negotiations with the Mayor’s budget office and the department’s plans to recruit and train personnel to replace forthcoming retirements.

Hayes White said the mayor will submit a balanced budget on June 1 and that the department is scheduled to appear before the Budget & Finance Committee in mid‑June for review. "As you know Mayor Mark Farrell will be submitting a balanced budget on June 1," Hayes White told commissioners. She asked that the commission have an overview from the finance director at the first June meeting and noted there will be public comment on the budget before the committee on June 18.

The chief framed those budget preparations as tied to staffing needs. Hayes White reiterated the department’s multi‑year hiring plan, begun in 2012, and described the current academy pipeline: the 120th (fourth) recruit class is in its ninth week with 52 members (two resigned for injuries), and the department has plans for subsequent academies and refreshed candidate lists from Human Resources. "I will say, I'm remaining cautiously optimistic," she said of the budget discussions with the Mayor's office.

Commissioners pressed for detail on separations and retirements. Hayes White pointed to a historical chart of retirements and separations since fiscal 2010–11 and said the chart includes both resignations and formal retirements; she noted that 32 members had submitted paperwork to retire and that, for planning purposes, the department is tracking multi‑year service and age cohorts. In one example offered for planning, she said that as of 07/01/2020 roughly 134 members would have 30-plus years of service and 191 members would be age 55 — numbers the chief presented to illustrate likely near‑term staffing pressure.

Commissioners urged continuing the recruitment schedule and recommended making replacement of personnel and fleet a top budget priority with the next mayor and the Board of Supervisors. The commission requested a written follow‑up breaking down retirements and separations; Hayes White committed to provide that detail in writing.

On fleet and equipment, Deputy Chief Janine Nicholson and other staff said three new trucks and six new engines are in the procurement pipeline and that the department will review an ambulance pilot (sprinter ambulances) after field evaluations. Nicholson said PPE proposals from three vendors have been submitted to the Office of Contract Administration and that turnout samples are now undergoing a 30‑day vetting process.

Procedural action: commissioners approved the minutes of the May 9, 2018 meeting following a motion and second; the vote was recorded as 'Aye.'

Next steps: the department will arrange a June briefing from the finance director and provide the commission with the requested retirements/separations breakdown.