Mayor Lurie Signs Legislation With Firefighters' Union To Support First Responders, Strengthen Public Safety

SAN FRANCISCO – Mayor Daniel Lurie today signed legislation to enact new labor agreements between the City and County of San Francisco and the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 798 Units 1 and 2. Effective July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2030, the new memorandum of understanding (MOU) prioritizes public safety and invests in San Francisco firefighters and first responders. The legislation signed by Mayor Lurie was cosponsored by Board of Supervisors President Rafael Mandelman, District 2 Supervisor Stephen Sherrill, District 4 Supervisor Alan Wong, and District 5 Supervisor Bilal Mahmood.

The MOU with Local 798 continues Mayor Lurie’s work to strengthen public safety and support firefighters amid a difficult budget cycle. At the end of his first year in office, Mayor Lurie announced the San Francisco Fire Department (SFFD) would become the largest department in the United States to transition its entire fleet to non-PFAS turnout gear, keeping firefighters safe. To continue the work to support the city's first responders, the mayor recently announced the completion of San Francisco’s Fire Network Modernization Project to replace aging infrastructure at 51 fire stations and broke ground on a new SFFD training facility that will help firefighters and emergency responders develop the tools they need to keep San Franciscans safe. As the city prepares to navigate a difficult budget cycle, Mayor Lurie is preparing to deliver a budget that protects core services including continuing to improve public safety in San Francisco.  

“Every single day, San Francisco firefighters put their lives on the line. You respond to fires, provide emergency medical care for people struggling on the street, and help keep San Franciscans safe in moments of crisis. You have our backs, and now, it is the city’s turn to have your back,” said Mayor Lurie. “This agreement will ensure we are investing in our firefighters, paramedics, and EMTs for the work they do every single day. And at a moment when our city faces significant fiscal challenges, public safety remains my top priority. I am committed to protecting the core services that are helping to accelerate our city’s recovery.”  

“Mayor Lurie has made a choice to invest in the firefighters, paramedics, and EMTs of the SFFD whose sole mission is to keep San Francisco residents safe,” said Sam Gebler, President of IAFF Local 798. “This agreement is fair for our first responders and fair for the taxpayers of San Francisco, who we are honored to serve every single day.”

“This MOU moves us forward. It improves our ability to recruit and retain the highly skilled professionals our city relies on. And it reinforces our joint commitment to maintaining the highest standard of safety for our members and the public we serve,” said SFFD Chief Dean Crispen. “I would like to thank the negotiation teams of Local 798 and DHR for their professionalism and expertise demonstrated throughout this difficult process.”

“San Francisco’s firefighters dedicate their careers to protecting our neighborhoods and responding when people need help most,” said Supervisor Sherrill. “This labor agreement recognizes their hard work and helps ensure the firefighters who keep San Franciscans safe can continue living in the city they proudly serve.”

“As a National Guard officer, I will always support making sure our men and women in uniform have the resources, protections, and working conditions they need to do their jobs safely and effectively,” said Supervisor Wong. “That’s why I was proud to stand behind this MOU. From our neighborhood fire stations in the Sunset to emergency calls across San Francisco, our firefighters, paramedics, EMTs, and first responders show up for our communities every single day. Investing in the people who keep San Franciscans safe is an investment in the safety, strength, and resilience of our city.”

“Every time a member of Local 798 answers a call, they are responding to someone experiencing one of the hardest moments of their life. Our first responders work tirelessly, often under incredibly difficult conditions, and supporting their stability, well-being, and ability to serve ultimately benefits every San Franciscan,” said Supervisor Mahmood. “At a time when we are navigating serious budget challenges, continuing to invest in San Francisco’s firefighters, paramedics, and EMTs is essential to keeping our communities safe.”

The MOU will include a 3% wage increase per year for the first three years, followed by a 5% increase in the final year of the MOU, and set other premiums, benefits, and working conditions to attract and retain San Francisco’s first responders. It provides predictability and stability for San Francisco’s firefighters with pay increases aligned to the city’s five-year financial plan and revenue forecast, continuing a responsible approach to spending ahead of a difficult budget cycle.  

Additional terms of the Local 798 MOU complement other support for the SFFD by providing a 3% increase by the end of 2029 for training and educational achievement. To ensure the SFFD’s Training Division is adequately staffed, the MOU includes a 4% premium for experienced officers, those with 23 years or more of service, assigned to weekend training.

Employee wellness is another important focus for SFFD. The MOU with Local 798 maintains a peer-based Behavioral Health Unit with dedicated staffing and $20,000 annually to support the unit’s work.