SF Fire Commission to hear public comment on Edna the cat

The employees at San Francisco Fire Department Station 49 say they are being asked to get rid of their cat, Edna, after an anonymous complaint was made. Those at Station 49 argue that the cat is a stress reliever, and have launched a social media campaign dubbed #ednastays in hopes that Edna will be allowed at the station. less The employees at San Francisco Fire Department Station 49 say they are being asked to get rid of their cat, Edna, after an anonymous complaint was made. Those at Station 49 argue that the cat is a stress ... more Photo: Courtesy @fire_cat_edna / Instagram Photo: Courtesy @fire_cat_edna / Instagram Image 1 of / 14 Caption Close SF Fire Commission to hear public comment on Edna the cat 1 / 14 Back to Gallery

Edna the cat, whose plight within the San Francisco Fire Department bureaucracy has stirred cat-lovers the world over, may be getting another chance at returning home.

The Fire Commission holds its usual meeting on Feb. 27, but they're likely to have a larger-than-usual audience this week. Edna's Instagram account has been asking her fans — of the non-furry variety — to attend the meeting and speak in favor of allowing Edna to return to Station 49.

The tortoiseshell cat became the center of an internet firestorm when it was announced she was being evicted from her home at Station 49 in India Basin. Because the station is an ambulance deployment facility, the San Francisco Fire Department categorized Edna, who has lived at the station since arriving as a stray four years ago, as a "public health and safety concern."

The issue came to the department's attention via anonymous complaint.

MORE: SF's Station 49 employees hit with cease and desist order related to Edna the cat

"This facility is the Department's Ambulance Deployment Facility," a statement from the department read. "Within this facility is Department Logistics, where medical supplies, equipment and pharmaceuticals used by ambulance staff to provide crucial lifesaving emergency health care are housed."

Now, the public will get its chance to weigh in. The Fire Commission allows "general public comment" at the start of meetings. Wednesday's starts at 5 p.m. and will be held at Room 400 in San Francisco City Hall.

"I hope if you're able to, please attend this up coming fire commission meeting Wednesday evening 2/27 to voice your support for my return and to offer Commissioner [Joe Alioto] Veronese suggestions for Station 49," Edna's humans wrote in a message on her Instagram account.

At least one former Station 49 member has already spoken out in Edna's favor. Irene Ybarra, the paramedic in charge of EMS logistics at Station 49 until June 2017, told SFGATE she disagreed with SFFD.

"When I was at Station 49 I developed the medical supply in such a way that Edna was not able to get into the clean room," Ybarra said. "The items are usually boxed up, and it's not something [Edna] is usually in the habit of getting on top of. She had her own specific spot, a box with blanket in it. Edna has never been a issue."

Edna is currently staying at the home of a member of the station, but it's not a permanent solution. The person already has several pets; Edna's firehouse fans are still hoping she can return to Station 49 soon.