Fire Department warns 5% citywide cut would materially affect operations; equates to roughly 2.5 engine companies

Deputy Director of Finance and Planning Mark Corso presented the San Francisco Fire Department's operating-budget review and warned the commission that city budget instructions asking for a 5% reduction in year one and 8% in year two would be difficult to meet without materially reducing services.

Corso said citywide projections show an approximate $728 million deficit over two years and that, for the Fire Department, a 5% reduction equates to about $6.9 million. "That 6,900,000 is essentially the cost of about 2 and a half engine companies for the entire year," Corso said, adding it also equates to about "7 and a half 12 hour ambulances per day." He said roughly 90% of the department's budget supports frontline salary and benefits, limiting internal flexibility to absorb requested cuts.

Commissioners pressed on where reductions could fall. Commissioner Catherine Feinstein described facility and seismically unsound firehouse conditions she had observed and questioned where 5% cuts could be taken without impairing core emergency services. Corso and Chief Janine Nicholson said the department has limited options to make cuts of that size without materially affecting operations and will continue to negotiate with the mayor's budget office; they plan to submit an updated proposal by the Feb. 21 deadline and report back to the commission after submission.

Corso also outlined revenue and fee items the department is pursuing, including expected EMS revenue increases tied to higher call volume and fee adjustments. He noted that some COVID-era reductions to equipment and facility funds have been partially restored and said the FEMA SAFER grant funding for 36 H2 firefighter positions will sunset in February 2024 and those positions will be absorbed into the department's staffing if not renewed.

Commissioners generally agreed the department should continue working with the mayor's office and that the commission would expect a follow-up presentation after the formal submittal.