Rules Committee recommends changes to Fire Department code to broaden EMS deputy‑chief pool, align physician selection with charter
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Summary
The Rules Committee voted to forward amendments that would open the deputy chief for EMS and community paramedicine to a wider pool (including battalion chiefs) and move authority to select the department physician to the fire chief to align with the City charter; the committee sent the ordinance to the full Board with a positive recommendation.
Fire Chief Dean Crispin told the Rules Committee the ordinance would do two things: broaden who may be appointed to the deputy chief for Emergency Medical Services and community paramedicine and clarify who selects the department physician.
Crispin said the deputy‑chief vacancy created by the retirement of Simon Pang prompted a review of qualifications. Under the current administrative code the post was limited to community paramedics who are rescue captains and certain EMS chiefs; the department proposes permitting battalion chiefs — frontline incident commanders with command experience on large incidents — to be eligible so succession planning would leave a command‑experienced officer as CD‑4 if necessary.
On the physician role, Crispin said the City Attorney (Sarah Fabian, referenced in the presentation) identified a conflict between the administrative code and the City charter: the charter provides that the department head has authority to select the department physician. The proposed change would remove the Fire Commission’s authority to appoint the physician and instead align selection with the chief; the Fire Commission will adopt rules of order and a panel‑interview process (including the chief, a commission member, and a third‑party) for any future hiring. Crispin praised the current physician, Doctor Chang, and said he does not expect an immediate opening.
Committee members asked about the origin and workload of the deputy‑chief role and whether the change is responsive to current shortages or a forward‑looking recruitment strategy. President Rafael Mandelmann noted the position was created around 2020 as community paramedicine grew; Crispin said the role remains a full‑time job with clinical and managerial duties. Vice Chair Steven Sherrill asked about paramedic licensure times; Crispin said paramedics typically must maintain license-level requirements for five years, acknowledged many battalion chiefs let credentials lapse, and said the proposed requirement of departmental paramedic experience will increase the candidate pool both now and for the future.
There were no public speakers on the item. Chair Shamone Walton moved to forward the ordinance to the full Board with a recommendation; the clerk recorded the motion as passing without objection.
The matter will now go to the full Board of Supervisors for further consideration.
