On this episode of the San Diego Fire Fighters podcast, we welcome Sara Berns, Executive Director for SDFRA and Firefighter Aid. For over 100 years, the San Diego Fire Relief Association has been providing for the protection, care and relief of the members of the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.

The San Diego 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb is scheduled for Saturday, September 5, 2026, at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront, benefiting FirefighterAid.

When a fast-moving brush fire erupted in Sorrento Valley on June 8th, San Diego firefighters had minutes to protect more than 2,000 homes threatened by flames tearing through steep, dangerous terrain. Hundreds of SDFD and Cal Fire personnel responded as the blaze spread across 90 acres near Sorrento Valley Boulevard, with crews battling near-impossible conditions on hillsides too steep and too dangerous to access on foot.

The response worked. No homes or businesses were lost, evacuation orders were lifted, and forward progress was stopped. But the fire raises an urgent question that can't be ignored: what happens next time if the department is operating with fewer resources?

In this episode, we break down what went right at Sorrento Valley, the behind-the-scenes work that kept it from becoming a catastrophe, and why the budget fight happening right now at City Hall isn't just a political story, it's a public safety story.

San Diego Firefighters Podcast, because the best time to talk about what could go wrong is before it does...

As budget cuts loom over the San Diego Fire Department, many questions arise: How will these reductions impact public safety? What does it mean for the firefighters on the front lines?

In this episode, we break down the mayor's proposed budget cuts facing the San Diego Fire Department, the potential consequences for both firefighters and the community, and why it’s crucial to address these issues now.

Topics include staffing cuts, operational challenges, health and safety concerns, and the importance of resources for effective emergency response with our guest Jason Deneau, Health and Safety Director for Local 145.

#Firefighters #PublicSafety #SanDiego #BudgetCuts #Community

This episode features San Diego City Firefighters Local 145's George Duardo and Mark Morrison discussing the importance of community engagement, response times, staffing challenges, and the future of fire services in San Diego. Learn about the critical issues facing fire departments today and how data-driven decisions can improve public safety.

Resources

International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) - https://www.iaff.org/

NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) - https://www.nfpa.org/

Get It Done App - https://www.sandiego.gov/get-it-done

San Diego Fire-Rescue Department - https://www.sandiego.gov/fire

San Diego City Firefighters Podcast - https://sandiegofiredepartment.org/podcast