SFFD reports small COVID uptick, training‑site progress and staffing updates

Chief Janine Nicholson reported to the San Francisco Fire Commission on April 27 that the department has seen a "little bit of an uptick in COVID." She said 25 members were out of duty, of whom 15 were in quarantine, 2 had tested positive and 8 remained on long‑term COVID leave.

Nicholson said training and recruitment remain priorities. "I'm very happy to say that it passed," she said of the budget and finance committee vote that cleared the department's purchase agreement for a training site on Carol Avenue. She also told commissioners a bill to release a trust on port land passed the Assembly Appropriations Committee and would advance to the Assembly floor.

Deputy Chief Tom O'Connor reviewed administrative and outreach work, describing recent community events and readiness exercises. He summarized an April 16 drill that combined Neighborhood Emergency Response Teams (NERT) with battalion control exercises to practice triage and field surveying after a simulated earthquake: "So, that was a fantastic drill," he said. O'Connor also reported routine personnel and equipment actions: 56 members were randomly tested for drugs and alcohol (all negative), five post‑accident tests were negative, and the Bureau of Equipment acquired two Mercedes sprinter vans while SFMTA agreed to donate four wheelchair/paratransit vans temporarily to support community paramedicine.

Commissioners asked for follow‑up information on recruitment and training. Nicholson and O'Connor described upcoming firefighter and EMS academy classes (an H2 firefighter class slated to begin in June and an EMS academy starting the following Monday) and said candidate selection involves multiple, rotating panels run through the department's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion office. On the department's handling of long‑term COVID cases, Nicholson said the department tracks members who are out 30 days or more and noted that return‑to‑duty clearance is coordinated through the department physician and the member's treating clinician.

The report included several program highlights: recent paramedic and EMT graduations, expansion of community paramedicine training, and ongoing coordination with the mayor's budget office to advocate for departmental needs ahead of the mayor's budget submission. The chief closed by thanking staff and noting continued work on vehicle and facility maintenance, an art installation at Station 49, and planned community events.