The State - News from Jan. 11, 1987

The No. 2 man in the San Francisco Fire Department, opposed by many minority firefighters, was passed over for the chief’s job as Mayor Dianne Feinstein chose Edward Phipps, 56, deputy chief for administration. Phipps will succeed the retiring Emmet Condon. The Black Firefighters Assn. had scheduled a press conference to protest the expected appointment of Charles Cresci, deputy chief for operations, but canceled it at Feinstein’s request. She said it was fair to conclude that the department “is plagued with severe problems, including allegations of racism.” Cresci said he would stay on at the request of Phipps.