Commissioners urge council support for fire department growth as population and train delays strain response

San Rafael’s Fire Commission debated the gap between population growth and fire‑department capacity and urged commissioners to use a draft letter to the City Council to press for the chief’s strategic plan and additional resources. Commissioners cited a discussion that the city population has grown from about 39,000 in 1973 to roughly 61,000 now while staffed engine companies have declined, increasing demand for EMS and fire responses, particularly given a large senior and unhoused population that drives repeat medical calls.

Commissioner John (functional label used in meeting materials) presented a draft letter that would highlight demographics, rising high‑rise proposals, wildfire risk and the department’s staffing shortfalls; he asked commissioners to review and sign. A commissioner summarized the arithmetic of shifting from three‑person to four‑person engines—noting each additional staffed engine multiplies personnel needs across stations—and another commissioner noted a new engine can cost roughly $1,000,000 (figure discussed in meeting dialogue).

The commission also recounted operational challenges caused by SMART train crossings downtown, where trains often slow or idle at the station and close grade‑crossing gates for several minutes, creating backups that can delay code‑3 apparatus. A staff member recounted a recent dispatch where an ambulance stopped at a gate while a train idled and crept through downtown, causing multiple minutes of delay.

Commissioners requested additional data and modeling to support Council advocacy, including wildfire‑modeling resources referenced in meeting materials. No formal board action was taken; the commission agreed to continue drafting the letter and to engage with the chief on specific staffing and budget asks.