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Budget committee applies $6 million in unspecified reductions to Fire Department; chief warns of possible engine "brownouts"
Summary
After lengthy debate, the committee voted to reduce the Fire Department budget by $6 million in unspecified reductions (split as $2.7M and $3.3M), with part contingent on transferring auxiliary water-supply maintenance to the PUC. Fire leadership agreed to seek alternatives but warned reductions could force engine brownouts.
The Budget & Finance Committee on June 25 directed $6 million in unspecified reductions to the Fire Department budget and split the reductions into two actions: $2.7 million associated with potential transfers of AWSS (auxiliary water supply system) maintenance to the PUC, and $3.3 million in additional unspecified reductions.
The Fire Department described a menu of possible savings and agreed in principle to transfer a portion of AWSS low-pressure maintenance to the Public Utilities Commission, with an estimated $1.0 million immediately and $2.7 million if high-pressure maintenance responsibilities were also transferred under a satisfactory MOU. The chief said the high-pressure system is critical to fire suppression and would require assurances that the PUC would maintain current standards if a full transfer occurred.
Committee members weighed trade-offs between achieving budget savings and avoiding reductions in public-safety capacity. The fire chief warned that if the committee's full $6 million target cannot be met through transfers and other measures, the department may need to implement engine-company brownouts (temporary reductions in staffed engine companies) that could affect response in specific neighborhoods.
Roll-call votes were recorded. On the $2.7 million AWSS-related reduction, the committee approved the motion (4 ayes, 1 no). The remaining $3.3 million unspecified reduction was approved by a 3'to'2 vote. The chief said the department would provide more specificity and continue working with the PUC, the mayor's office and the committee to avoid brownouts.
Next steps: The chief and department staff will pursue AWSS transfer discussions with the PUC (to secure service-level assurances) and identify other targeted savings; the department committed to provide specifics and work with the committee on implementation.
