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San Francisco Fire Chief Has No Plans To Step Down Despite Calls For Resignation

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS)— San Francisco's fire chief spoke publicly for the first time Thursday about the recent calls for her resignation by a coalition of rank and file organizations.

Chief Joanne Hayes-White said she has no intention of stepping down from her post of 10 years. She spoke just one day after more than 40 of her department's battalion chiefs signed a letter and sent it to city officials stating they had lost confidence in her and demanded she step down.

She was at a news conference to talk about the city's 311 system, but acknowledged questions about her leadership. She said she was more determined than ever to make sure problems within the department get solved.

San Francisco Fire Chief Has No Plans To Step Down Despite Calls To Do So

"I love this department. I'm very proud of the work that I've been able to accomplish. Some of it…again, controversial, not easy, tough decisions as the authority in the department. [I'm] very proud of the work that the men and women do in the department and also very proud of the work that we've accomplished over 10 years," she said.

Ambulance response times have recently brought forth criticism of the chief, though a department spokesperson said much of that amounts to bullying.

San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee said he is discussing the situation internally, but has said he's not ready to the chief go.

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