San Francisco Fire Department

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]

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]

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.

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

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