Recently, our San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) Paratransit operation was recently honored by the SFMTA Board of Directors. The Board recognized the employees of SF Paratransit for all the work they have been doing, especially over the past two years. In addition to the safe and reliable transportation they provide daily, our teams were recognized for innovating new programs that help their passengers stay connected with essential services.
San Francisco Paratransit Operations was part of the community emergency response team that organized and provided special services when the Covid pandemic struck. With coordination and support by the SFMTA and Transdev’s brokerage, they trained with an Emergency Management Services team and provided service which transported vulnerable persons to Covid testing, treatment and shelter locations. The work was only assigned to drivers who volunteered, even when no one knew the risks that may have been involved in the service. At its height of demand, 27 full time drivers were dedicated to this service. All drivers, dispatchers, managers, supervisors and utility workers involved in this special community effort is receiving a small gift of appreciation from GM Mary McLain and a memorandum of appreciation, which reinforces for them the positive impact their efforts had.
At the meeting, the Acting EMS Director announced that the team effort also is receiving national recognition this summer when they will receive the 2022 Innovative Practice Bronze Award. In making the announcement, he said, “This operation was a team effort and a reflection of all the innovation and hard work done by all the partners involved.”
The national award notification note reads:
“Congratulations! We are pleased to inform you that your application, San Francisco Emergency Medical Services Agency COVID-19 Transportation Hub, has been selected as a 2022 Innovative Practice Bronze Awardee by the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO). The designation of your program as a Bronze Innovative Practice demonstrates the highest level of program innovation to meet the needs of your community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the past few months, your application has gone through a rigorous peer-evaluation process by NACCHO’s Workgroup members, and your program reflected effective community partnerships and collaboration as well as remarkable adaptability, resilience, and innovation.”
Congratulations to the entire SFMTA Paratransit team and General Manager Mary McLain!
Stay tuned for more pictures from this summer’s national award presentation.
