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San Francisco Fire Department outlines staffing, training and fleet updates
Summary
Chief Joanne Hayes White told the Fire Commission on Feb. 28 that the department submitted its FY18–19 budget but could not meet a requested 2.5% cut; she described academy schedules, a new EMS 6 unit, fleet pilots, station delays and health-and-safety work including new PPE rules and testing results to come in May.
Chief Joanne Hayes White told the San Francisco Fire Commission on Feb. 28 that the department submitted its budget to the Mayor’s office on Feb. 21 but could not meet a requested 2.5 percent reduction because of rising call volume and operational costs. "We were asked for 2.5% reduction in this fiscal year ... which we were not able to meet," she said, and added the department had requested one additional full‑time equivalent for a grant writer to help pursue outside funding.
Hayes White said department staff and two commissioners were invited to meet with the Mayor’s budget director on March 8 to continue talks before the Mayor must deliver a balanced budget on June 1. She also gave a detailed update on training and hiring: an EMT academy is currently underway with a graduation scheduled for March 9 at John Adams Campus; the next academy begins March 26 with a planned 54 trainees (42 from the eligibility list, 12 coming from Station 49). "We selected 36," the chief said when asked about class sizes, and later described expected graduations in the mid‑30s range.
Deputy Chief Jeanine Nicholson briefed the commission on internal operations and equipment upgrades. She said a notice to proceed has been issued to install nine remaining wash extractors for turnout gear and that the department will work to exclude carcinogenic and toxic chemicals from PPE. Nicholson said the department will use plant‑based renewable diesel, battery‑powered tools and other measures to reduce exposures at drills and on scene. She described a new general order for a HAZMAT and rescue squad relief pool to keep certified personnel distributed at needed stations.
On fleet and service changes, Nicholson said a pilot ambulance has entered service and will rotate among crews for evaluation. The department added an EMS 6A unit to operate 6 a.m.–4 p.m., Monday–Thursday to handle operational overflow and administrative coordination with homeless outreach and the Department of Public Health. She said two other EMS units operate noon–midnight and that the EMS 6A hire raises that unit’s staffing to three.
Nicholson also updated commissioners on projects: Station 16 remains on track for completion in September 2018, while Station 5 was delayed until December 2018 because of soil analysis and related issues. On the ADF (auxiliary drill facility) project, she said the demolition permit from the Department of Building Inspection had been received the same day and demolition can proceed in April; she described working with the Arts Commission to select locally appropriate artwork for the site.
The chief and deputy chief closed their report by noting community and partnership activities, including youth baseball outreach and recent parades, and by recognizing staff nominated for a SPUR good government award. "I appreciate the efforts and support of the Commission," Hayes White said. The commission accepted the report and moved to the next agenda item.
