Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Fire Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Fire chief warns brownouts could be needed to meet deeper cuts; ambulance revenue and overtime cited as mitigation
Summary
San Francisco Fire Department told the Budget and Finance Committee it met an initial 10% reduction but an added contingency of about $5.2M would force operational impacts (engine brownouts) and could void negotiated givebacks; the department cites potential $1.2M in added ambulance revenue contingent on state action.
The San Francisco Fire Department told the Budget and Finance Committee that it met its first 10% reduction target but that additional contingency cuts would force operational changes such as engine-company brownouts unless alternative savings are found.
Chief Joanne Hayes White said the department's $3xx million budget is heavily salary-driven (about 91% salary and benefits). She said the committee's 10% contingency target for SFFD is approximately $5.2 million after accounting for Prop F-mandated minimum staffing rules. "Without a doubt, anything above and beyond the initial 10% would result in adverse operational impacts," she said.
The chief said continuing deactivation of Engine 35 (Pier 22 1/2) produced about $2.5 million in savings and that a single engine-company brownout is roughly $2.5 million per year. Brownouts could, however, make previously negotiated MOU concessions vulnerable: she said about $6.9 million in FY11-12 concessions could be forfeited if brownouts violate contract provisions.
On ambulance revenue, SFFD finance staff said total annual ambulance transport revenue is about $20'$21 million. The department's FY11-12 plan assumes an incremental $1.2 million in revenue contingent on regaining some exclusive or enhanced reimbursements for public providers; the department is working with Assemblywoman Fiona Ma on legislation (Assembly Bill 678) to help restore or expand government provider reimbursements.
Overtime and staffing approach: Chief Hayes White said the department has used overtime to staff minimums and that the general fund overtime budget is in the low tens of millions (approximately $21M budgeted; about $18M expended to date). The department expects a 36-person academy in May (14-week academy with estimated cost ~ $1.6M) and emphasized that SFFD must meet response-time and minimum-staffing mandates when planning any brownouts.
Public comment included appeals to preserve services and recognition of the department's past concessions and efficiency gains; the committee continued Item 2 to the call of the chair.
Attribution: quotes and factual attributions come from Chief Joanne Hayes White, CFO Mark Corso and mayor's budget office staff present at the hearing.
