Committee removes "Homeland Security" from proposed emergency department name, approves ordinance as amended

The Government Audit and Oversight Committee on Tuesday approved an amendment to an administrative-code ordinance renaming the Department of Emergency Communications and passed the measure out of committee as amended.

Supervisor Aaron Peskin moved to delete the words "and Homeland Security" from the department title and all references in the draft ordinance, saying the change "will not in any way imperil grant funding" for the city. Chair Tom Ammiano moved the amendment "without objection," and the clerk confirmed the item would pass "as amended."

The ordinance, as read by the clerk, would retitle the department and establish internal divisions for emergency communications and emergency services. Committee members said the edit was largely technical and intended to avoid codifying the phrase "Homeland Security" into the municipal code while preserving the departments grant eligibility.

The committee took no public comment on the amendment and approved the item to move forward from committee. The ordinance will proceed to the next step in the city's legislative process.