Fire Department seeks funding for DEI, community paramedicine and new training facility

Fire Chief Janine Nicholson and San Francisco Fire Department officers told the Budget Committee the department’s proposed budget grows to cover targeted recruitment changes, equity work and new emergency‑medical initiatives. Capt. Bryce Peebles, the department’s first DEI Officer, summarized plans to raise the DEI post to assistant deputy chief and to staff a data person, a lieutenant/captain, and several part‑time analysts within the DEI office.

Assistant Deputy Chief Sandy Tong described community paramedicine programs: expansion of EMS‑6, a planned street wellness response team to handle welfare checks under police code 910(b), and a street overdose response team to support Narcan reversals and follow‑up care. Chief Nicholson and Mark Corso also told supervisors the department has a multi‑year equipment replacement plan and an RFP/contract for hose/host tenders: three units have purchase orders issued and two more are budgeted this fiscal cycle (approx. $1,000,000 each). The department also requested an allocation of $5.8 million to fund part of a new training facility project.

Supervisors’ focus: Supervisors repeatedly pressed the fire chiefs on ambulance staffing and response times, citing union and community data that suggested ambulance units and paramedic staffing have lagged since 2015 despite rising 911 call volumes. The chief acknowledged concerns and said data reviews with the Mayor’s and Controller’s offices were underway.

What they asked for: The department asked that supervisors consider restoring or approving funding for additional host tenders, an equipment‑replacement plan, training facility funds and continued resources for community paramedicine. Mark Corso noted a multi‑year equipment contract allows additional orders if funding is secured.

Why it matters: The Fire Department said investments support both traditional firefighting capacity and a larger public health role responding to overdose and behavioral‑health emergencies. Supervisors said they will weigh the fire department’s needs against citywide priorities and pressed for data on response‑time trends before final budget votes.