San Francisco fire chief outlines roughly $500 million departmental budget, new EMS chief post and hiring plans

San Francisco — At its July 27 meeting, the San Francisco Fire Commission heard a department report from Chief of Department Janine Nicholson laying out staffing, operational and budget changes for the coming fiscal period. Nicholson said the city budget was signed by Mayor London Breed, and that the fire department’s portion now approaches a baseline of roughly $500 million with structural corrections for overtime and premium pay.

Nicholson told commissioners the department’s recent budget adjustments included about $20,000,000 to address overtime and premium pay liabilities and that equipment funding includes roughly $3,500,000 for this year and another $3,500,000 next year. Nicholson said the department has seen significant turnover — approximately 87 separations in the past fiscal year, including about 86 uniform members and one civilian — but added that hiring is underway with an academy now in session of approximately 50 recruits and authorization for two additional academies per year for the next two years.

Mark Horso, finance and planning, gave a year-over-year explanation for the budget increase, saying the department’s larger baseline reflects three main items: 50 ambulance personnel added in the previous year that were not in the prior baseline, COVID-related overtime supplementals and a workers’ compensation supplemental of roughly $5–6 million. “In total, we're looking at approximately $500,000,000,” Horso said, and described the current budget as a rolling two-year baseline intended to reduce the need for mid-year supplementals.

Nicholson also described an administrative-code amendment included in the budget that creates a CD4 position — chief of EMS and community paramedicine — who will report directly to the chief of department. She said the budget action was signed the same day and that Chief Tong will fill the CD4 position once paperwork is complete.

Commissioners asked for details about recruiting and retention. Nicholson said roughly 17 department members were deployed to the Oak Fire at the time of the meeting and that the department is balancing retirements, promotions and new hires. On the question of call types, Nicholson said approximately 80% of the department’s calls are medical in nature, noting the growth of EMS and community paramedicine work.

Votes at a glance: the commission adopted Resolution 2022-11 (findings to allow teleconference meetings) unanimously; it approved minutes for the June 24 and July 13 meetings unanimously; and it adjourned by motion at 05:59.

Next steps: Nicholas indicated the new CD4 appointment paperwork and continued academy hiring are immediate administrative actions; commissioners signaled interest in continued updates on academy sizes, fill rates and the operational effects of the budget changes.