Fire Commission hears staffing, quarantine and training updates as department battles Omicron-era shortages

Fire Chief Janine Nicholson told the San Francisco Fire Commission that COVID-19 cases and retirements have strained staffing but that quarantine counts have dropped substantially.

"Right now, we have 13 members who are in quarantine and a total of 26 people off," Chief Nicholson said, noting the department’s quarantine and leave totals have declined from a mid-December to January peak.

Deputy Chief Tom O'Connor provided context: over the December 16–January 31 period the department recorded about 292 positive tests and roughly 300 members entered quarantine at peak, which contributed to high mandatory-overtime burdens. O'Connor said the current downward trend has reduced mandatory overtime in recent weeks.

Commissioners flagged an unsigned letter circulated to the Commission that called for reducing probationary requirements because probationary firefighters have been working double shifts to meet training-hour requirements during the overtime surge. Chief Nicholson said the department has discussed the idea but has kept probationary timelines tied to regular shifts rather than counting overtime toward probationary hours.

On recruitment and training, Chief Nicholson said the department started a Level 2 paramedic class with 20 people and expects another class to begin in May with a potential target of about 50 recruits depending on retirements. She and commissioners also discussed outreach efforts, including City EMT and youth academies intended to increase local recruitment.

Why it matters: The department’s ability to staff ambulances and fire companies affects response capacity citywide; commissioners pressed for clarity on numbers, drug-testing procedures and efforts to reduce overtime burden while maintaining training standards.

Next steps: Commissioners requested follow-up on probationary timing discussions with interested parties; O'Connor and Nicholson will continue budget and hiring conversations with the mayor’s budget office and return with updates.