Fire chief outlines new cancer screening, recruitment test change and equipment deliveries

Chief of Department Janine Nicholson and department administration briefed the San Francisco Fire Commission on operations, staffing and new health programs.

Nicholson said the department will make a blood-based Galleri test available in early December to members over 35 with five or more years of service; the San Francisco Firefighter Cancer Prevention Foundation is paying for the pilot. "It has a very low rate of false positives and it has been used by other departments," Nicholson said. Commissioners discussed cost figures and Nicholson said a retail price estimate is closer to $700 but the foundation will offer the test to eligible members at no cost.

Nicholson also outlined a planned shift in entrance testing from the National Testing Network (NTN) to a state-administered FCTC exam, which department leaders and labor partners are pursuing to reduce bias and provide wraparound services for prospective recruits. She said a transition period is expected over the next year and that the department will continue to accept NTN candidates during that time.

Assistant Deputy Chief Tom O'Connor summarized recent outreach events, Fleet Week participation, the 30th Loma Prieta anniversary activities, and reported operational equipment updates: the department received the first of five Ferrara ladder trucks and multiple ambulances are in procurement and testing. O'Connor also described behavioral-health and peer-support expansions and said anonymized utilization data will be provided at the next commission meeting.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about eligibility, testing logistics, and behavioral-health usage; staff committed to follow-up data on program uptake.