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DEM seeks dispatch hires and public safety radio funding after power outage response highlighted communication gaps
Summary
Anne Cronenberg of the Department of Emergency Management told the committee DEM requests funding for 264 positions (including 65 dispatchers via five academies) and $16.7M for a public safety radio replacement; DEM acknowledged a communication error in a recent Larkin Street substation outage and pledged improved board notifications and a follow‑up hearing.
Anne Cronenberg, representing the Department of Emergency Management, presented DEM's budget and major project needs and described actions taken during a recent Larkin Street substation fire and power outage.
DEM requested funding to support core operations and to cover personnel needs across emergency communications (9‑1‑1), emergency services, and administration. Cronenberg said DEM is proposing five academies over two fiscal years to hire 65 dispatchers and reach a target staffing level of 163 dispatchers (current staffing reported at 124). She described a public safety radio replacement project requiring approximately $16.7 million over two years and a $922,000 911 floor expansion to accommodate more workstations.
DEM staff reviewed the city response to the Larkin Street substation fire: DEM said it activated the emergency operations center, coordinated with PG&E, hospitals and other departments, and managed many elevator‑entrapment calls. Cronenberg acknowledged an internal error that left some supervisors off the earliest board email notifying them of the outage and said DEM will improve notifications (text alerts, a conference call protocol and CCSF Alert signups). Supervisors requested a detailed breakdown of call volume drivers (population growth vs. homelessness and opioid impacts); DEM committed to provide more granular data and to appear at a follow‑up hearing called by supervisors Peskin and Breed.
The committee filed the DEM hearing and adjourned.
