San Francisco, CA — Mayor London N. Breed and City leaders today celebrated the passage of a $628.5 million bond funding seismic retrofitting and resiliency for fire stations, police stations, and other critical public safety infrastructure. Mayor Breed introduced the Earthquake Safety and Emergency Response (ESER) Bond in May along with co-sponsors Supervisors Sandra Lee Fewer and Catherine Stefani and it was placed on the ballot with the support of the entire Board of Supervisors. The bond is currently passing with over 81% of the vote.

“We know we need to act now to ensure that we’re as resilient as possible for the next major disaster,” said Mayor Breed. “We know that it’s not a matter of ‘if,’ but a matter of ‘when’ the next major earthquake will strike. This ESER Bond will help our City make critical infrastructure investments so that we’re prepared for the next earthquake or other natural disaster, and so our first responders can take care of our residents when it matters most.”

The Bond provides the following investments in San Francisco’s preparedness efforts:

• $275 million to fund seismic retrofitting and resiliency projects for Neighborhood Fire Stations and support facilities, such as firefighting training facilities;
• $153.5 million for the Emergency Firefighting Water System;
• $121 million to fund seismic retrofitting and resiliency projects for San Francisco Police District Stations, and support facilities;
• $70 million for disaster response facilities;
• $9 million for the Department of Emergency Management 9-1-1 Call Center.

“I am both thrilled and relieved that the voters have approved this ESER bond by a 2/3 majority,” said Supervisor Sandra Lee Fewer. “This bond will make our neighborhoods more resilient in the wake of disaster by building up our safety infrastructure on the Westside and in our public safety facilities. I am proud to have fought for this crucial public investment on behalf of my residents.”

“It is critical to our residents that San Francisco’s public safety infrastructure—including our fire and police stations, emergency water system, and other essential facilities—is prepared for the next major earthquake,” said Supervisor Catherin Stefani. “The voters made the right decision to make this key investment to bolster our disaster preparedness.”

The ESER Bond Program is an initiative to bolster earthquake safety and emergency response resiliency through capital improvements to critical infrastructure. San Francisco voters overwhelmingly approved the first $412 million ESER Bond in 2010 and the second $400 million ESER Bond in 2014, both receiving nearly 80 percent support. The Bond Program is administered by San Francisco Public Works, which designs and implements many of the infrastructure improvement projects funded by the Bond.

“San Francisco remains committed to strengthening our public safety infrastructure and making key investments that will last for generations to come,” said City Administrator Naomi M. Kelly. “Our 10-Year Capital Plan ensures that the emergency firefighting water system, police and fire stations, and 9-1-1 call center all meet the City’s needs and we are grateful to San Franciscans for their continued support.”

“These much-needed seismic safety and infrastructure resiliency resources will enable San Francisco first responders to protect our city and residents during a major disaster,” said Police Chief William Scott. “Thanks to voters, officers and civilian staff at our district police stations and support facilities will be better prepared to respond quickly during an emergency.”

“When a disaster strikes, our Firefighters need to be able to respond immediately. From my experience as a Firefighter and a Paramedic, I know first-hand how important it is to have the infrastructure and facilities that allow our First Responders to do their jobs,” said Fire Chief Jeanine Nicholson. “This Bond will provide the funding that we need to invest in public safety infrastructure and First Responder facilities.”

“Thanks to the support of San Francisco voters, the City remains on the critical path towards resiliency with passage of ESER 2020,” said Alaric Degrafinried, Acting Director of San Francisco Public Works, which manages the bond program. “Safeguarding San Francisco is a top priority and the ability to upgrade and enhance our vital first-response and post-disaster infrastructure is key to achieving that objective.”

The 10-Year Capital Plan adopted by the Board of Supervisors on April 30, 2019 included the ESER Bond funding. Published every odd year, the 10-Year Capital Plan is a fiscally constrained expenditure plan that lays out infrastructure investments over the next decade. The City Administrator prepares the document with input from citywide stakeholders, who put forth their best ideas and most realistic estimates of San Francisco’s future needs.

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