>> good morning, everyone. we are here today to celebrate re-opening of the san francisco first responder museum. formerly known as fire department pioneer memorial museum. thank you for being here. long-standing board member of the guardians of the city. i have the honor of being the

emcee today through this program. thank you all for being here. [applause]. is it really great to be back in person standing here like this in front of the museum where we get to go and experience firsthand live and in person the artifacts, apparatus, part of the rich history of first responders and public safety in san francisco. you are in for a real treat. board members and the guardians of the city have put time, energy and commitment into preserving the pieces and getting all set up for display. after we go through the plan with speakers speaking i would invite everyone to come in and experience it. it is a little small. now that we have covid restrictions lifted, we have the opportunity to share the experience together. as you know, this museum is around 54 years now.

i live down the street. what i was growing up we would walk to share in the experience. i wasn't hired as firefighter. i moved to other things. it is an honor and privilege to be part of public safety. this first responder museum highlights the fact that all of us involved in public safety work collectively together to keep community safe. it speaks to the fact we have grown from in a fire station with a museum dedicated to not just fire but to all of us involved in public safety. please enjoy the experience when you have the chance. as i say, public safety, i recognize that many members of public safety in san francisco, all of us from the sheriff's office to police department, fire department, department of emergency management, we are all here from may or down with commitment to public safety.

i thank everyone from being here. the museum would fought be here without hard work of the guard yarns of the city. we have the chairperson retired fire department captain jim lee. it takes passion and commitment. [applause]. it takes passion and commitment to pull something like this off. especially because all of this is done without public funds. it is done on the beneficiaries and donations and support from the community for the group. she has worked for many years to preserve the public safety history. also helped to produce the 1906 earthquake centennial in 2006 and 150th anniversary in 2016. i would like to welcome to the podium jim lee. [applause] >> thank you, sheriff.

mayor london breed, supervisor stefani, sheriff and bill scott and chief nicholson and director carroll and command staff from emergency response agencies. distinguished guests and friends, welcome. i am james lee, retired fire department captain. it is my pleasure to welcome you to the grand re-opening of the san francisco first responder museum. [applause]. 58 years ago chief william murray stood at this very spot and dedicated this museum to preserve the rich history of the san francisco fire department. he knew to move forward with new

ideas and innovation you must preserve and respect the past. guardians exist to preserve the heritage age history of the fridays first responders over 170 years when you include the san francisco police and sheriff's office. we gather today, may 11, by no accident. the guardians of the city staff have been working tirelessly to introduce the exists and days displays of the police department and sheriff's office to coincide with law enforcement appreciation week. i will let them comment on that later. for those that have not seen the little museum. it is, in fact, tiny. we are bursting at the seams with artifacts, photos, antique fire apparatus too numerous to

display. there are some other fire engines that cannot be enjoyed due to the space limitations. we have a goal of opening a larger museum and event center. not only can we properly share the rich history of public service, but we could train youth in disaster preparedness, expose to public safety career opportunities, first responder promotional ceremonies and graduations and self-sustaining and income generating event center. i invite you to meet the board members today. for now we celebrate the end of two years of being closed. we want to welcome you to the new displace and artifacts from the police department and

sheriff's office and for the first time ems in san francisco. while there are many to thank today to get this grand re-opening, i would like special attention and thanks to the board members mike, jackie martin and jamie o'keefe. i would be remiss if i didn't be give a special thank you to those who always responded to the aid for help. back to the sheriff. i would like to thank you all for coming and enjoying the day. thank you. [applause]. >> as you knowledge the members of the guardians of the city. i want to point out to my left these aren't firefighters that haven't spent money from the uniform allowance. they are wearing vintage union

forms and members of the board for the guardians. i want to acknowledge they are here living the history. the next speaker we know very well. born and raised in san francisco with a very interesting history herself. forty-fifth mayor who lives our history by dazzling us every april 18th with a costume that out does the previous year every year. please welcome may orthop mayorn breed. (applause). >> mayor breed: i would have dressed appropriately today. women weren't necessarily mayors at the time. there is a new day and trend to set. when i think about the fact that over 170 years ago when some of the first volunteers started the various police and fire departments because of a need in

san francisco to protect the public and a number of aspects, they did so because they had a desire to serve. they had a desire to help. in fact, that has not changed much in terms of men and women of our various public safety departments. many of you here today, i know, were in the various agencies. it is because you wanted to serve the public in this capacity. what i want to express today is, of course, appreciation for the preservation of history of what these various departments represent. more importantly, i want to appreciate and thank you for your service and carrying on the legacy what now exists for san francisco especially as we come out of the global pandemic. we appreciate that first responders regardless of pandemic you had to show up to

work. regardless of the challenges in exist no matter what they are, the people who respond to emergencies in the city have to be on the job. they have to show up. there is no other option. we appreciate your service. thank you so much for everything you do to support the city. we also want to really thank guardians of the city because in reprieving the history they realize the importance of giving back and working with kids, working to do collaborations. one i can think of off the top of my head. i don't know your title with the sheriff's department you were werecaptain of the police statin bringing christmas trees out to the various locations in the community and making sure that it is not just about doing the job or showing up and

challenging times it is about connecting with the community and building bridges that is what guardians of the city represent a preservation of the history and desire to build those bridges. when we think about san francisco and its very challenging past what happened back then, i can't help but be proud that when you look at the leaders of these various departments you have a woman who is leading the fire department. you have an african-american man who is leading the police department. you have an asian-american man leading sheriff's department. how far we have come diversifying departments and becoming part of the fabric what makes san francisco so special. as we celebrate history of first responders, let us remember how far we come. the challenges of the past but resilient of what san francisco is. despite those challenges, how we

continue like the phoenix to rise to become a better more inclusive, vibrant san francisco. the way we are able to do that has everything to do with the people who serve and protect the city and put their lives on the line every single day. i want to thank you all so much for being here. thank you all so much for the work that you are doing. know that especially in this upcoming budget my priorities will reflect the need to support and uplift public safety departments in san francisco. the other thing i want to do is really acknowledge again all of the volunteers and the people who are part of guardians of the city. i also want to acknowledge we just had our new member of the san francisco board of supervisors matt dorsey join us today. he is definitely familiar to the

men and women of the police department. we are so grateful for his service. i also want to acknowledge the fact that a lot of this happens because of philanthropic support and the san francisco police department has the support of chris larson joining us today, a native from san francisco who supports the department and wants to improve moral and support which is a challenging time for the department. so many care about our public safety officials. do not get discouraged what is on social media and other alcohol ings. the an attend of the day the people of the city support you and appreciate you and you are showing up at the most difficult times in their lives. that means something when you have someone that no matter what is going to show up, make sure that people are okay, they are safe, served, protected.

that is what public safety and what you all represent for san francisco. we appreciate you. we need you. we will continue to uplift and support you. we thank you so much for being here to celebrate that history and what that means to san francisco. thank you so much. [applause]. >> thank you, mayor breed. come back up here. we have something to present, i believe. on behalf of the guardians we have this jacket for you. guardian logo and your name. in case you forget. that is your name. it will be on your jacket. it might be warm. >> mayor breed: it might be a little tight here. >> thank you. [applause].

>> thank you again. i do want to mention i am going to talk about the sheriff's office now. i will switch hats for a second. i have the honor of leading a very large work force of deputies and professional staff who contribute to the safety and well-being of our residents. i don't want to forget past. this is commitment to remembering what we have done, where we are and where we will go as part of the public safety community. i want to recognize that we have had support from former sheriffs as well. some are here and some couldn't be here. vicky and mike hen see helped us move forward as we collected many pieces. former sheriff here for a long standing period of time because he was part of the history for the long time is now one of the

people who manage the history website and who has contributed a lot of information, history and materials to that website to preserve the history that we share here with our public safety partners. i want to shout out karl, one of our former board members. they were a significant part of what you will see inside today for the sheriff's office. thank you for that. [applause]. our next speaker has a special connection to our event. as ad catherine stefani was in the behind the scene works that formed the legislation working for supervisor mark farrell. she helped codify the role as protectors of public safety history. she helped pass a resolution to outline the great mission today.

a very much supporter of public safety. we are lucky to have her speak here today. supervisor stefani. >> supervisor stefani: i was just thinks. one of the great things about being involved in public service you see great things like this come to fruition. in 2012 working with jim lee and going to different locations around the city like fort mason and oak street to figure out where to house these incredible artifacts to honor the first responders. this is a culmination of the success and perseverance of everyone involved. it is nice to see so many men and women in uniform. i feel protected. thank you. i am the district two supervisor. i am hull belled to stand

alongside so many first responders. this is one of our district two fire stations. thank you, chief nicholson. i want to acknowledge what the first responders do starting with the dispatchers who field 24 hours each day 3800 calls. 1.4 million calls per year. first responders, the san francisco fire and police and sheriff's office and emergency medical services kept the city and residents safe through earthquakes, fires and emergencies our communities face every single day. these departments hold irreplaceable artifacts that reflect our history as well as their history. the conservation of the artifacts is not just an important part of maintaining the history of the city but honoring the heritage.

we recognize the contributions and sacrifices made by those individuals who dedicated careers and lives to ensuring public safety of residents. as the sheriff mentioned, i have been a supporter of men and women in uniform. you are running towards dangers. others run away. some of the moral issues are addressed and spoken about in the paper. i know chris larson is here talking about today in terms of dedicating support to maintaining moral and uplifting the police department. i want to thank those who say thank you to our police officers and thank you to the firefighters and thank you to the sheriffs. many times they deserve your gratitude and to show it is one thing you can do every day to really help boost moral. the guardians of the city museum, memorial and learning center is a treasure for san

francisco. this plays an important role to visitors in honoring the lives of first responders is worthy and important goal. thank you all for being here and supporting the museum. i look forward to celebrating with you and looking at new artifacts stored in this wonderful location. thank you so much. [applause]. >> thank you, supervisor. i do want to point be out i am growing -- fond of this hat. it is very functional. there is one other individual wearing this. park ranger chief murphy with a black hat. we have to coordinate better next time. you may have flowed the fire engines around the museum. it was chief william murray who

photo house the history 58 years ago. until today this building served as the san francisco fire department museum. it remains that. we have added exhibits and displays thatten comes all public safety departments in san francisco. we have a shared appreciation for recognizing us as partners in the fire station. to give thoughts on the 54 years since that came to pass your fire chief, jeanine nicholson. >> thank you. you look cool in the hat. i would like to change our uniforms. greetings. welcome to station 10 and to the museum. i thank the gott for everything that they have done in terms of preserving our history. i want to thank mayor breed for creating new history with the people you have appointed including myself. thank you so much for creating

new history. we in public safety, as you know, whether it is our call takers at the department of emergency management, my sister marielle lencarroll to all of you thank you. station 10. thank you for being here today. i want to acknowledge a couple fire commissioners in the house. thank you for being here and for your support. former fire commissioner cleaveland, always supports us. nice to see you as well. we have a proven history of taking on disasters and of growing resiliency. this first responder museum can

help to preserve that history and carry those lessons forward for touch public servants and residents. i want to note next week is ems versus week. i am grateful we have ems here as well. it is such a huge part of the public safety family in the fire department and city. thank you to gotc and all volunteers who work here and on this. i am going to get out of the sun shortly now. thank you very much. [applause] >> thank you, chief. back to the gold rush days now. while we are talking about that. i saw the mounds here. watch where you step. around the same time as the sheriff's office was founded another organization was formed in 1849.

the san francisco police department has been our partner in public safety providing law enforcement services from san francisco to share everything that happened since 1849. my partner and friend from the san francisco police department, chief bill scott. [applause] >> thank you, sheriff. good morning everybody. it helps when you go at the end when following the mayor and others. i will say something a little bit different. as i look at the artifacts and the nice exhibit in the museum, it goes back to reminding us what public safety and public service is about. when i look at this fire wagon and look at that one. night and day in terms of what the members of the fire department had to do to protect the city during that time. it might have been the best

equipment forna era. think how difficult this job must have been when we didn't have the equipment we have today. the reason i bring that up is that this museum as great as it is with as many artifacts we get to enjoy and reminisce of our history, this job and public safety and service is about people. it is people that has kept the city great. since 1849. people place those wagons and use the pieces of equipment that i would not know how to begin doing the work. when i look at the vintage ford from the police department and guardians of the city thank you for restoring that car. it is a beautiful car. riding around is good and all of that. there is no air-conditioner. it is what we have become used to, but the job hasn't always

been that way. we haven't always had modern technology and equipment. when you go through this museum or any museum that is dedicated to commemorate public service, keep in mind be the people are what makes this happen. i want to thank the guardians of the city and the board of directors and mayor for her support. mr. larson for your support of this police department. our community members. people are watching in the windows. thank you for your support. last thing. with our partners, public safety partners and fire chief and the sheriff and chief murphy. these are good times, great times, fun events. watching this team of people in times of crisis is something

special. i have been blessed to be part of this great city at our worst times in times of crisis like the pandemic and the events we had to respond to. i got to tell you i couldn't be happier and prouder to be part of this team. it is the people that are great in the city. thank you very much. [applause]. >> thank you, chief. >> last speaker from a past that took her through the controller's office, public utilities and department of emergency management. she will oversee the staff rubbing the nine one -- running the 911 and incredible work during the pandemic to keep us safe. i don't have to introduce her. everybody knows her.

please welcome executive director maryelllen carroll. >> imagine having to go last with no fancy uniform to wear. i freelanced. i am the director of department of emergency management. we house 911 center and ems agency. i want to say our dispatchers are first responders. they don't have fancy uniforms. you don't see them out in the street. i really appreciate the call out. they are the first voice that a person hears on the last day. they are also in many ways the eyes and ears for first responders. i want to say to all of my public safety partners that every dispatcher that works for me. everyone that supports them and

myself it is our privilege to work next to you and to serve, really serve all of you. i also want to say to the ems agency, they were absolutely heroes during the pandemic. working so closely with fire department and ems partners and it is a privilege to lead them. i want to shout out to the guardians of the city. the role that you play in keeping the memory of our history alive is so important, especially from a preparedness perspective. we live in earthquake country and we have natural disasters based on climate change we have to pays. every year the events are so important. also, thank you, mayor, for

supporting us and showing up to these events. it is important. our police chief, we have been very involved through the pandemic and through the last year in really very difficult problems coordinating efforts around the society problems we have, public health problems. i need to say this publicly that every day i see first responders helping those who are the most helpless in our city who are in the most need and the sickest. that is certainly paramedics and firefighters, police officers, sheriff's deputies. our park rangers. what you do is humanitarian work. you need to be really acknowledged for that. it is really my privilege to be

your partner. thank you. (applause). >> thank you. we are almost there. at this time we want to open up the opportunity for anyone with questions from the media on the first responder museum and everything we have here today. if there aren't any we will go into heading to the museum. any questions at this time for the other individuals? just as we have done with many of the resources for the city and county in golden gate park, this is free. nobody has to dig into their pockets today. they can make a donation absolutely. that is how all of us here keep going with what we have. that is donations and support from the committee members and from other people throughout the

community. from first responders who donate not just time and energy but donate to this. on behalf of all of the speakers and all members of public safety community and part of the growth of this organization, i want to thank you all for being here and invite you to all come and enjoy the museum at this time. thank you. one more thing. one group photo for all of the people here today that have spoken and all members here.