my name is simon tang, and i am a captain in the san francisco fire department. i work in a department that responds to frequent 911 users, shepherding people towards support, mental health treatment, detax treatment, and supportive housing. on those that are dependant upon 911 for their survival, a small number, in my estimate, less than ten, in my experience, have such substance abuse disorder and mental health disorganization that they cannot perform routine acts of daily living. these individuals don't have the agency to get food at st. anthony's. some lack the strength to dress themselves. some have life threatening infections that will not heal. some are ineligible for shelter, for not only are they chronically incontinent, but they refuse to participate in self-hygiene. i want to be clear, these individuals don't own phones or a tent. they aren't calling 911 for themselves. the compassionate citizens of san francisco call 911 for someone unconscious on the streets or for the person that has been sitting in their own excrement for the last eight hours. what