Fire chief warns of retirement surge and details storm damage, budget moves

Chief Janine Nicholson, of the San Francisco Fire Department, told the Fire Commission that her report covered surf rescue training, staffing changes and storm damage across the department.

"We could see 60. We could see 80," Nicholson said when describing possible retirements in June, warning the commission the department has limited capacity to onboard and train large numbers of probationary firefighters at once. She said the department is hiring but constrained by training capacity and available positions.

Nicholson summarized recent department activity, including four new general orders, a surf‑rescue training ramp‑up, a paramedic graduation and awards: "Simon Pang, our chief of community paramedicine, was a recipient of a good government award," she said. She also thanked dispatchers for their role in a recent high‑profile stabbing response.

On storm damage, Nicholson and Deputy Chief Tom O'Connor said the department saw a 65% increase in calls for service during two March storms and that 28 stations and facilities experienced roof leaks, water intrusion and other damage. The commission discussed a damage claim in the low six figures: Commissioner Paula Collins asked whether roughly $307,000 (referred to in discussion also as a $335,000 claim) had been or would be reimbursed. O'Connor said the department "applied for FEMA relief" but that San Francisco had not been recognized as a county eligible for federal damage assistance for that storm.

Nicholson said her team is reallocating existing budget lines to cover overtime and that the department's budget is due to the mayor's office on June 1, 2023. She urged commissioners to note hiring and training limits when considering staffing commitments.

The commission heard no public comment on the chief's report and did not take formal action on the staffing or storm‑repair items during the meeting.