San Francisco Fire Department
Operational area
Country United States
State California
City San Francisco
Agency overview[1]
Established12/25/1849-Volunteer Department 03/02/1866-Paid Department
Annual calls135,091 (2015)
Employees1,700 (2023)
Annual budget$500,000,000 (2023)
StaffingCareer
Fire chiefJeanine Nicholson
EMS levelALS & BLS
IAFF798
Facilities and equipment[2]
Divisions2
Battalions10
Stations44 (Plus 3 at SFO)
Engines44
Trucks20
Ambulances31 ALS
Tenders1
HAZMAT1
USAR1
Airport crash4
Wildland4 - Mini-Pumpers
Website
Official website
IAFF website

The San Francisco Fire Department (SFFD) provides firefighting, hazardous materials response services, technical rescue services and emergency medical response services to the City and County of San Francisco, California.

History

Volunteer Department: 1849-1866

The first great fire in San Francisco originated on Christmas Eve, 1849. By the time it burned itself out; fifty buildings were gone at a loss of $1,500,000. On Christmas night several citizens who had been firemen in the East met and formed fire companies. Heading the group was Frederick D. Kohler who was chosen as the first Chief. The Town Council held a special called meeting that afternoon and passed a resolution to organize a fire department.[3][4] The resolution states, in part, “Therefore…..to protect the town against another such calamity by organizing fire companies”, and the San Francisco Fire Department was born. Town Council met on January 28, 1850, and formally elected Kohler as the first Chief Engineer of the San Francisco Fire Department.

The legal basis for the origin of the Paid Department stemmed from legislation titled, "An Act to Establish a Paid Fire Department for the City and County of San Francisco."  (Approval by the State Legislature was granted on March 2, 1866.)  The Act provided for a five-man Board of Fire Commissioners to manage the affairs of the department. The Fire Department consisted of a Chief Engineer, two Assistant Chiefs, one Corporation Yard Keeper and six steam fire engine companies.  Each engine company was to have one foreman, one engineer, one driver, one fireman, and eight extra or "call" men.  There were two Hook-and-Ladder Companies each consisting of one foreman, one driver, one tillerman and twelve extra men.  Additionally, there were three Hose Companies, each consisting of one foreman, one driver, one steward and six extra men. During April 1866, the Board of Supervisors purchased four steam fire engines and one hose reel from the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company of Manchester, New Hampshire.  This purchase was made at a cost of $17,655.  In July of the same year the Supervisors also bought twenty-seven horses to provide motive power for the new and heavier equipment. One of the first acts of the new Board of Fire Commissioners was to appoint the department executive officers.  On October 6, 1866, Franklin E. R. Whitney was appointed Chief Engineer; H.W. Burckes, First Assistant Chief; and Charles H. Ackerson, Second Assistant Chief. The department went into active operation on December 3, 1866, making it the first paid Fire Department West of the Mississippi.  Daniel Hayes, was appointed Superintendent of Steamers, Tom Sawyer, Corporation Yard Keeper, and John L. Durkee, Fire Marshal

In 1906, the department was considered on a par with those of the larger cities on the East Coast, but found itself reduced to fighting the fire of 1906 in the quake aftermath with axes and shovels, as most of the city's water mains were broken and cisterns drained. Fire Chief Dennis T. Sullivan suffered mortal wounds in his home by a falling chimney early in the disaster and subsequently died in the hospital.

In 1955, Earl Gage Jr. was hired as the first Black firefighter. His work as director of community services is credited with diversifying the department.[5]

Operations

Fireboats

The Phoenix docked at Pier 22+1⁄2.

The SFFD has three fireboats that are docked at Pier 22+1⁄2. Fireboat 1, the Phoenix, was constructed in 1954 and is fitted with three deck monitors, a water town and two under pier monitors.[6] Fireboat 2, the Guardian, was constructed in 1950 and is the oldest fireboat in the fleet.[7] Both boats are 89-foot (27 m) and outfitted with two 500 horsepower (370 kW) engines giving them top speeds of 12.5 knots (14.4 mph; 23.2 km/h) (Guardian) and 15 knots (17 mph; 28 km/h) (Phoenix). A third new 85-foot fireboat (Fireboat 3) was christened the St. Francis in October 2016.[8][9][10]

Fire Stations and Apparatus

Fireboat Guardian stands on alert status near the Bay Bridge.
SFFD Truck 3 operating at a fire in the Tenderloin.
The former Fire Station # 1, located on Howard Street
SFFD Engine 16, quartered in the Marina District
Two SFFD truck companies at the scene of a 4th-alarm fire on 41st Ave. in the Sunset District

Below is a full listing of all fire station and company locations in the City & County of San Francisco according to Battalion and Division.[11] As of 2019, SFFD has purchased several Ferrara Engines and Two New Ferrara Tillers. One Tiller is getting assigned to Truck 13 and the other tiller is still unknown

There are also three SFFD-operated fire stations located at the San Francisco International Airport in San Mateo County.

Fire Station Neighborhood Engine Company Truck Company Special Unit Battalion Chief Vehicle, Division Chief Vehicle, Rescue Captain Vehicle, EMS Chief Vehicle or EMS Operations Chief vehicle Battalion Division
1 South of MarketEngine 1Truck 1Rescue Squad 123
2 ChinatownEngine 2Truck 2Battalion Chief 112
3 TenderloinEngine 3Truck 343
4 Mission BayEngine 4Truck 433
5 Fillmore DistrictEngine 5Truck 5Light Rescue 5Division Chief 252
6 CastroEngine 6Truck 6Decontamination Unit 123
7 Mission DistrictEngine 7Truck 7Rescue Squad 2, Light Rescue 7Division Chief 363
8 South BeachEngine 8Truck 8Battalion Chief 333
9 DogpatchEngine 9Truck 9Battalion Chief 10103
10 Presidio HeightsEngine 10Truck 10 CBRNE 152
11 Noe ValleyEngine 11Truck 11Battalion Chief 6, Rescue Captain 363
12 Haight-AshburyEngine 12Truck 1252
13 Financial DistrictEngine 13Truck 13CO2 Unit 1, Mobile Command 1Rescue Captain 112
14 Outer RichmondEngine 14Truck 14Cliff Rescue 1472
15 InglesideEngine 15Truck 15Battalion Chief 993
16 Marina District, Marina Green
Fort Mason		Engine 16Truck 16Rescue Boat 1, Rescue Water Craft 1, Rescue Water Craft 2 (Kept at San Francisco Marina Craft Harbor)42
17 Bayview-Hunters PointEngine 17Truck 17Portable Hydrant Tender 17103
18 Outer ParksideEngine 18Truck 18Surf Rescue 1882
19 Stonestown Galleria
Fort Funston		Engine 19Truck 19Cliff Rescue 19

Haz-Mat. Assist Trailer

 92
20 Laguna Honda Reservoir / Twin PeaksEngine 20Mobile Air Unit 1, Mobile Air Unit 2, Pollution Control Unit, Mobile Air Support Trailer 182
21 PanhandleEngine 21Attack Hose Tender 21, Utility Unit 1Battalion Chief 553
22 Sunset DistrictEngine 22Portable Hydrant Tender 2272
23 Outer Sunset DistrictEngine 2382
24 Eureka ValleyEngine 2463
25 Dog PatchEngine 25Mini-Pumper 25, Multi-Casualty Unit 1103
26 Glen ParkEngine 2663
28 North BeachEngine 2812
29 Design DistrictEngine 29Decontamination Unit 223
31 Inner RichmondEngine 31Battalion Chief 7, Rescue Captain 272
32 College HillEngine 32Mini-Pumper 3263
33 OceanviewEngine 3393
34 Lands EndEngine 34Surf Rescue 3472
35 Pier 22+1⁄2Engine 35Phoenix Fireboat 1, St. Francis Fireboat 3 33
36 Civic CenterEngine 36Haz-Mat. 1, Haz-Mat. 2Battalion Chief 223
37 Potrero HillEngine 37103
38 Pacific HeightsEngine 38 Battalion Chief 4 42
39 Forest HillEngine 39Multi-Casualty Unit 293
40 Inner ParksideEngine 40Battalion Chief 882
41 Nob HillEngine 4112
42 PortolaEngine 42Portable Hydrant Tender 42103
43 ExcelsiorEngine 43Mini-Pumper 43, OES Unit 248Rescue Captain 493
44 Visitacion ValleyEngine 44Mini-Pumper 44103
48 Treasure IslandEngine 48Truck 48Rescue Ambulance 48, Hose Tender 48, Portable Hydrant Tender 4833
49 India BasinALS Medic Units, BioMed Unit, Arson Unit, Logistics Units, Supply UnitsEMS Chief, EMS Operations Chief, Rescue Captain103
51 Presidio of San FranciscoEngine 51 42

SFO Stations

All apparatus at SFO go by the 'Rescue' call sign, whether Engine, Truck, ARFF Crash, Medic Unit, or Command SUV.

Fire Station Number Location Engine (Rescue) Unit Truck (Rescue) Unit Medic (Rescue) Unit ARFF Crash (Rescue) Unit Command (Rescue) Unit Other Units
1 West end of airportRescue 54Rescue 47Rescue 91Rescue 1Rescue 67 (Rescue Captain)Rescue 81 (Multi-Casualty Unit)
2 Intersection of
four runways		Rescue 2 & 12Rescue 61 (Utility), Airboat 51, RHIB, Rescue 55 (40' long Firefighting/Rescue Boat)
3 South end of airportRescue 33Rescue 93Rescue 3Rescue 65 (Battalion Chief)SFO 3 & SFO 4 (Bike Medics)

Disbanded fire companies

Throughout the history of the San Francisco Fire Department there have been several fire companies which have been closed due to budget cuts and the restructuring of engine company numbers in 1972–1973.

  • Engine Company 27 (356 7th St.): Disbanded July 1, 1976
  • Engine Company 30 (1300 4th St.): Disbanded July 1, 1976
  • Engine Company 45 (1348 45th Ave.): Disbanded September 26, 1972
  • Engine Company 46 (441 12th Ave.): Disbanded May 16, 1972
  • Engine Company 47 (499 41st Ave.): Disbanded May 25, 1973
  • Engine Company 49 (2155 18th Ave.): Disbanded July 20, 1972
  • Truck Company 20 (285 Olympia Way): Disbanded September 30, 1980
  • Division 1 (530 Sansome St.): Disbanded January 2, 2002
  • Battalion 5 (1443 Grove St.): August 30, 2003, Reinstated January 4, 2017
  • Battalion 11 (798 Wisconsin St.): Disbanded July 1, 1970
  • Salvage Company 1 (356 7th St.): Disbanded 1980
  • Salvage Company 2 (115 Drumm St.): Disbanded 1975
  • Salvage Company 3 (441 12th Ave.): Disbanded 1977
  • Salvage Company 4 (299 Vermont St.): Disbanded 1986
San Francisco Fire Station 12 fire truck with Grateful Dead–inspired logo sticker
  • The SFFD was the responding fire department to a major high-rise fire disaster in the 1974 film, The Towering Inferno. The film cast many actual firefighters from the department and used SFFD fire trucks during the filming. Fire Station 38 was also shown. The exterior shots were done at the Bank of America Building.
  • Actor Steve McQueen was given a San Francisco Fire Department Honorary Battalion Chief badge #33 with ID in recognition for his accurate portrayal of San Francisco Battalion Fire Chief Mike O'Halloran.
  • The SFFD was also used in the Dirty Harry film series, particularly Rescue Squad 2 in Dirty Harry.
  • When a veteran SFFD firefighter is killed and Adrian Monk is blinded in a mysterious attack at a firehouse in the Monk episode "Mr. Monk Can't See a Thing", Monk must rely on his other senses to solve the bizarre case. In the course of the episode, he finds that the killer came to the firehouse to steal a fireman's coat and even finds that the man who blinded him had just beforehand killed a woman a few blocks away and set fire to her house (that fire was the one the engine company had been responding to when the murder at the firehouse took place). The depicted fire station, Fire Station 53, is a fictitious station. The exterior of the station was represented by Fire Station 1 of the Los Angeles Fire Department.
  • In the Monk novel series by Lee Goldberg, Joe Cochran, Natalie Teeger's occasional lover, is an SFFD firefighter, making appearances in the novels Mr. Monk Goes to the Firehouse, Mr. Monk and the Two Assistants, and Mr. Monk in Outer Space.
  • The SFFD was featured in two Emergency! television movies in 1978 and 1979, where L.A. County firefighter/paramedics Gage and DeSoto run calls with the firefighters of Rescue Squad 2.
  • The NBC Television show Trauma followed the fictional lives of SFFD paramedics, EMTs and flight medics.
  • The department is featured in the 1985 James Bond film A View to a Kill. After San Francisco City Hall is set ablaze by the villainous Max Zorin in an attempt to kill Bond, the SFFD arrives on scene and assists Roger Moore's character in escaping the burning building and then ultimately "borrows" a SFFD ladder truck in order to outrun the police officers chasing him on the suspicion that his character set the blaze.
  • The CBS television series Rescue 911's episode #107, the 4th segment featured the San Francisco Fire Department responding to an apartment fire. In one of the scenes, sparks shoot over a firetruck from a broken wire from a powerline. The station was Station #9, built in 1915.

References

  1. ↑ "Annual Report 2012-2013 (FY)". San Francisco Fire Department. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
  2. ↑ "Apparatus Inventory" (PDF). San Francisco Fire Department. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
  3. ↑ "Fire Department -". www.sf-fire.org. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  4. ↑ "About Us - Fire Department". www.sf-fire.org. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  5. ↑ Aleaziz, Hamed (August 12, 2017). "Earl Gage, SF's 1st black firefighter, to be memorialized Monday". SFGate. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
  6. ↑ "San Francisco Fire Department Apparatus Inventory" (PDF). San Francisco Fire Department - Fireboat Phoenix. Division of Training. pp. 84–85. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
  7. ↑ "San Francisco Fire Department Apparatus Inventory" (PDF). San Francisco Fire Department. Division of Training. pp. 83–84. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
  8. ↑ "New Fire Boat Joins San Francisco's Department". Retrieved August 9, 2016.
  9. ↑ "Media Advisories & PSAs | Fire Department". sf-fire.org. Retrieved August 9, 2016.
  10. ↑ Nolte, Carl (October 17, 2016). "SF welcomes new fireboat to fleet on anniversary of Loma Prieta". San Francisco Chronicle.
  11. ↑ "Fire Station Locations - Fire Department". www.sf-fire.org. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
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