Commissioner asks to schedule vice president election after sudden vacancy

Commissioner Nicasio raised a request during the June 23 meeting that the Fire Commission set a protocol and schedule to elect or appoint a new vice president to fill the vacancy created by Commissioner Tony Rodriguez's death. Nicasio said the request is intended to ensure the commission can conduct business if the president is not available.

"At some point, when it's appropriate, I would like to be respectful, but ask for some movement on protocol or process or procedure, for the commission to go into, election, to fill the position of, vice president," Nicasio said, urging the matter be scheduled "in a timely manner." President Katherine Feinstein acknowledged the concern, said she would check with the mayor's office and directed the secretary to add the item to the list of future agenda items.

The exchange was framed as procedural rather than urgent; Feinstein said she intends to remain available for future meetings while Station 49 remains staffed and that she will follow up with the mayor's office about a replacement timeline.