Newsom Announces Tier System for San Francisco Paramedics, Firefighters
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom (D) on Tuesday announced plans to create a three-tiered system of San Francisco paramedics, firefighters and firefighter paramedics to replace a seven-year merger between firefighters and paramedics, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Newsom said the new system could save the city $3 million in salaries after 18 months, and he added that it would provide "better, more consistent responses."
Critics of the tiered system say paramedics assigned to stations would not have the variety of experiences needed to maintain their skills.
San Francisco Fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White said that the fire department would increase training for skill maintenance and that the plan is "the best use of our resources" (Van Derbeken, San Francisco Chronicle, 9/22).