Fire Department avoids uniformed cuts but eliminates civilian positions and QRV unit

The San Francisco Fire Department announced significant budget adjustments during a recent city meeting, sparing uniformed employee positions but eliminating three civilian roles. In a move aimed at cutting costs, the department also discontinued one of its 24-hour quick response vehicle units and one EMS 6 unit. This decision is expected to save the city a considerable amount of money, although it will increase the workload for existing personnel in the field.

The quick response vehicle (QRV) unit, which is crucial for addressing incidents in the downtown area and alleviating call volume from the busiest fire companies, will now be reduced to just one operational unit available 24/7. Fire officials acknowledged that this reduction will place a greater burden on their teams but emphasized the necessity of budget savings.

In addition to staffing changes, the department is refining its approach to behested payments, narrowing down potential foundations for donations. Ongoing discussions with these foundations are expected to continue, with updates promised at the next fire commission meeting.

Looking ahead, the 136th academy is set to begin on July 28, with training staff implementing new in-service modules. This innovative approach will bring training directly to the field, allowing for practical drills, including forcible entry exercises, to be conducted at various battalions rather than requiring personnel to travel to training sites. This strategy aims to enhance the skills of firefighters while optimizing resources.