Board orders firefighter retirement age charter amendment submitted to ballot, citing cancer risks

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors on July 30 ordered submitted a charter amendment to the November 5, 2024 ballot that would change pension benefit calculations for members of the fire department who joined on or after Jan. 7, 2012, allowing those members to reach maximum service credit at age 55 rather than age 58.

Sponsor Supervisor Stephanie described the measure as a public‑health response to what she called "unacceptable cancer rates" among firefighters, saying that about 300 San Francisco firefighters have died of cancer in the last two decades and that female firefighters in the city have shown particularly elevated breast cancer rates. "A life of service to San Francisco shouldn't end with a battle against cancer," she said, arguing the change would reduce incentives for firefighters to stay on the job longer than necessary and protect their long‑term health.

The board took the item on 'same house, same call' after discussion and ordered the charter amendment submitted to the voters. No formal roll-call vote was recorded on the floor during the reading; the clerk announced the item as ordered submitted.