More Firehouse "Brownouts" Expected

By Judith Kahn

The SF Fire Department is closing its stations and reducing paramedic services in the Richmond and Sunset districts in an effort to lower its citywide operating expenses by $7.5 million over the next 18 months. There are three firehouses in the Richmond District and four in the Sunset District.

The effort is needed to help rectify an overall $97 million citywide deficit over the next year and a half. Most city departments have been asked to reduce their budgets.

Because the fire department's budget has been slashed, the department is turning to “brownouts” (leaving some stations unstaffed) to save about $3 million of the $7.5 million it needs to shave off the budget.

The current policy calls for the first 16 employees who do not show up for work on any given shift to not be replaced by other firefighters (replacements earn overtime for their service).

The firefighters on duty and remaining assets at the fire stations are consolidated to bring open stations up to full staffing; causing the brownouts and closing some stations for up to 24 hours at a time.

Currently, up to four engine companies out of the city's 42 are deactivated at any given time. When a station is closed, its paramedic is transferred to another station. Prior to 1997, the SF Department of Public Health handled medical emergencies. Currently, paramedics are located at the city's firehouses and respond with the firehouse's firefighters.

Weekend brownouts began May 15, 2004. Since June 30, there have been up to four brownouts at firehouses across the City.

In an effort to raise money, the fire department is trying to generate capital by increasing fire prevention permits and inspection fees. They are also implementing an aggressive policy to collect overdue medical bills.

According to SF Fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White, the extra money can be used to lessen the effects of the brownouts.

According to Hayes-White, there are other reasons why a fire station might be out of service besides brownouts. The crew could be on an emergency call or a training exercise, or a firehouse's equipment could be being serviced.

Firefighters are expected to respond to the scene of a fire within five minutes of being notified.  If a station is closed, it could slow the response time from a neighboring station. As well, if backup is needed for a two- or three-alarm fire, the backup could be delayed.

Hayes-White said the department uses its Computer Assisted Dispatch to stay on top of the situation as it develops.

Captain Pete Howes, the fire department's executive officer, pointed out some of the serious challenges facing the city's firefighters. There are prevailing winds, limited entry, fog, attached wooden housing, dense population and many narrow streets.

Howes hopes the City can solve its financing woes so the department can go back to operating at full capacity.

According to Frank Kelley, secretary of the SF Firefighter's Union, it is important for the public to be informed of the brownouts and to make their feelings known at upcoming public meetings, which have yet to be announced as of presstime.