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Fire officials warn street redesigns and driverless cars are slowing emergency response times
Summary
San Francisco fire officials told the Fire Commission that recent street changes tied to Vision Zero, combined with traffic and autonomous vehicles, have contributed to longer response times — from a target of 4:30 to roughly 6:10 — and urged earlier coordination with MTA and city agencies.
San Francisco fire officials told the Fire Commission that changes to street configurations and the presence of driverless vehicles are making it harder for engines and ambulances to reach emergencies within department targets.
Deputy Chief Robert Postel and Chief Janine Nicholson described a series of recent multi-alarm fires — including a Jan. 13 second-alarm fire at 3017 Twentieth Street and a Jan. 22 second-alarm at 1312 Hayes Street — and linked some increases in response time to narrower or closed streets and other downtown congestion. "Anytime we narrow beyond that 26 foot width ... it severely hampers…
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