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Supervisors ask BLA to audit San Francisco Fire Departments EMS capacity amid staffing shortfalls
Summary
Supervisor London Breed asked the Budget and Legislative Analyst to audit the Fire Departments emergency medical services, citing an average of eight daily 'medic to follow' incidents and a response-rate shortfall compared with the 80% target; the committee referred the motion to the full Board.
Supervisor London Breed moved a committee motion directing the Budget and Legislative Analyst (BLA) to conduct performance audits of the Fire Department focusing on emergency medical services (EMS), administrative staffing and strategic planning.
"People are calling 911 because a pedestrian has been hit or someone has been hurt, and the fire department, in some cases, have no ambulances to send," Breed said, adding that these "medic to follow" situations occur on average eight times each day and have increased "over 500% since 02/2008." She told the committee the department is currently about eight percentage points below the 80 percent call-response benchmark under its state agreement.
Chief Joanne Hayes White said the department has advocated for proper staffing, noted the city lost exclusive operating area (EOA) status in 2008 and said the department requested roughly $10 million (previously closer to $12 million) in the budget to support personnel and equipment to work toward the 80 percent target. "We're at about 73% right now," Chief White said.
Supervisor Tang moved to refer the BLA directive to the full Board as a committee report for March 4; the motion carried without objection.
The BLA will analyze the Fire Departments needs for personnel, equipment and administrative practices and report back in time to inform the upcoming budget process.
