SF fire chief says large 2026 bond would fund new stations, repairs; election targeted for June

Chief of Department Dean Crispin told the Fire Commission on Oct. 8 that the department is preparing for a large voter bond measure slated for 2026 that he said would support new stations and major repairs.

Crispin said the measure—described in the meeting as a 2026 bond with an initial planning figure of roughly $575,000,000—has been moved up from an earlier planning date and would appear on a June 2026 ballot. “It’s going to be a sprint to the finish line to conclude all of our preparation,” he said, noting the department’s goal to fund three new stations and other repairs.

Why it matters: The department is seeking funding to replace aging infrastructure and to add capacity. Crispin said the initial priorities are funding for Station 2, Station 7 and Station 40, along with roof and boiler repairs across the department’s facilities.

Operational context and outreach Crispin said department staff and the chief of staff will be preparing outreach and public information so voters understand the need. He also said the department is conducting staffing analyses that will be submitted to the mayor’s budget office after a 45‑day pause on budget action concludes.

Commissioner questions and clarifications Commissioners noted the compressed timeline and asked about dependencies on outside approvals; Crispin described internal preparations, staffing analysis and public outreach as the department’s immediate tasks. Commissioners emphasized the short time between now and a June 2026 election.

Ending Crispin said the department will proceed with full preparation for the bond measure and that the department hopes to secure funding for the three new stations and a range of critical repairs.