Racial Equity Action Plan (REAP)

In January of 1999, the San Francisco Fire Department emerged from over a decade of court supervision with the termination of its court-ordered consent decree. The purpose of this consent decree was to build a diverse and inclusive Department that represented all of San Francisco’s residents. Part of that meant opening long closed doors for women and minorities. The San Francisco Fire Department has come a long way and is committed to furthering equity throughout the Department.

The San Francisco Fire Department’s first Racial Equity Action Plan (REAP), development efforts were led by the Department’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer Brice Peoples and crafted and coordinated through the newly formed Racial Equity Advisory Committee (REAC) with input from members throughout the Department. It outlines goals and strategies in order to continue building a workforce that meets the Department’s mission statement.

The Racial Equity Action Plan includes measurable goals and definitive time frames which will allow for regular progress evaluation and adjustment. The framework will help the SFFD continue to build on our inclusive culture that encourages, supports, and celebrates the diverse voices of our employees. The REAP recognizes that diversity, equity, inclusion, and opportunity should be reflected in both inward and outward-facing programs and initiatives of the SFFD. Attention to these principles plays an essential role in tearing down any social or institutional barriers.

The Department’s most important asset is the people in it, and diversity is its greatest strength. With this roadmap, the SFFD will continue to effectuate positive change both inside and outside the Department.