Commissioner to draft resolution calling for study of a state-of-the-art stress unit for first responders

San Francisco — Commissioner Joe Alioto Veronese announced plans to draft a resolution asking the Fire Department to study and recommend a phased plan for a "state-of-the-art" stress unit to support first responders, a proposal he said should be vetted with the chiefs, the union and the city attorney before formal introduction.

Veronese told colleagues he has discussed the proposal with Chief Joanne Hayes White and plans to provide a working draft for the commission after further internal review. "I have proposed ... a resolution where I'm asking the chief of the department to help me study what the best practices for a state-of-the-art stress unit would be," Veronese said.

The proposed resolution, Veronese said, would ask the department to study staffing ratios, the role of a clinical director who may be an external consultant or contractor, training needs, and a multi-year budget projection to phase implementation over three to four years. He emphasized voluntary participation for members and noted existing grant-funded training that the department is using to expand capacity.

Chief Hayes White and other commissioners signaled support for additional work and noted budget implications will require planning with department finance staff. The commission did not vote on the resolution; Veronese said he will present a draft to the chief and meet with the union and city attorney before placing it on a future agenda.

Why it matters: Commissioners flagged the issue as timely amid heightened awareness of mental-health needs among first responders. If advanced, the resolution could shape future budget requests and create an internal program model for other departments.

Next steps: Veronese plans to circulate a draft resolution for internal review; the chief and staff will help scope the study and provide estimates for phased budgeting.