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Fire commission hears plan for San Francisco public‑service academy linking high schools, City College and SFFD
Summary
Presenters told the San Francisco Fire Commission that a new public‑service pathway launching Aug. 31 at John O'Connell High School will offer dual‑enrollment courses, hands‑on EMT training, mentoring by fire department personnel, and a donated decommissioned ambulance for student instruction.
Miss Malloy and district partners told the San Francisco Fire Commission on Aug. 23 that the Unified School District has launched a public‑service pathway at John O'Connell High School and plans a two‑year sequence that would add fire science and EMT coursework in year two.
The pathway will offer dual‑enrollment classes with City College of San Francisco so students can earn college credit while in high school, officials said. "So it's basically our career themed pathways that are in the high schools," Miss Malloy said while describing the Career Technical Education (CTE) program. Presenters said students at Galileo and John O'Connell currently take City College EMT courses and that volunteers from SFFD proctored final exams.
The department has already donated a decommissioned ambulance for training use at Galileo, and Chief Hayes White said the department is preparing a resolution to provide another unit to John O'Connell. The presenters said they will apply for a state grant this fall to support start‑up costs; they estimated roughly $30,000 for planning this year and a potential $100,000 for implementation next year to purchase equipment that cannot be donated.
Commissioners asked how students are recruited and how credits are awarded. Vice President Acasio pressed whether the pathway is counselor‑recommended or open to student self‑selection; presenters said counselors and direct outreach are both used and that City College instructors will teach the college courses on the high‑school campus. "So they'll be getting city college credit," one presenter said.
Commissioners praised the program as a pipeline to public‑service careers and urged broader outreach to SFFD affinity groups to boost recruitment and cultural connections with students who speak Cantonese, Spanish and other languages. The commission asked the presenters to return with a list of ways the department and commissioners can support mentoring, guest lectures and other participation.
The commission closed public comment on the presentation and moved on to the chief—s report.
