Fire Department details City EMT pilot, 128th academy and mutual‑aid wildfire deployments

Deputy administration staff presented the department’s June operations report and highlighted training, recruitment and mutual-aid activity.

Deputy Jose Bello said 42 recruits will start the 128th Firefighting Academy on Monday, Aug. 2, and described a new academy model that integrates EMS training throughout the course. He also described a City EMT pipeline that places qualified City EMT graduates as paid civilian ambulance workers to build a recruitment pipeline into uniformed service; the first cadre included five City EMT graduates entering department assignments.

Bello detailed mutual-aid deployments in response to a busy fire season: 23 members were deployed on statewide mutual-aid assignments and the department rotated type 6 engines and strike teams through incidents including the Salt Fire, Budlek/Beckwourth complex and the Dixie Fire. He said the department has engines being outfitted in city yards and is finalizing specifications for additional apparatus and ambulances; some newly acquired apparatus had factory recalls that the state (OES) addressed.

Commissioners asked for and were offered copies of two Public Utilities Commission studies (a seawater pump station study and a water demand review) that are in final draft and slated for Board of Supervisors hearings; PUC staff said they would check policy about releasing reports to the commission prior to the Board hearing.

What’s next: the commission asked for continued updates on academy progress, mutual aid status, fleet outfitting and facility completions including vault connections and Station 35 scheduling.