Residents press Fire Commission to expand auxiliary water system; department clarifies jurisdiction

At the Jan. 10 San Francisco Fire Commission meeting, two members of the public asked the commission to accelerate expansion of San Francisco's Auxiliary Water Supply System (AWSS) into neighborhoods they said remain vulnerable to major conflagrations.

James D'Alessandro, author and documentary filmmaker, reviewed the AWSS—s history, citing the 1906 bond that funded the system and saying the structure saved the city in past major earthquakes. "That system has not been expanded into probably 15 of the most vulnerable neighborhoods," D'Alessandro told commissioners, urging high‑pressure pumps and greater coverage for areas such as the Outer Richmond and Sunset.

Tracy Thompson, an Inner Sunset resident, said recent reporting and the Jan.4 earthquake heightened concerns that parts of the city lack adequate AWSS protection, and questioned why the city is not dedicating more funds to expand the system. "If we can't put out a fire or this kind of fire, then when it happens then nothing else matters," Thompson said.

In response, Director Mark Corso said the department is not submitting capital requests to extend the AWSS because, from a budgeting standpoint, responsibility and the transfer function for that infrastructure has moved to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC). Corso added that the department will continue to request PWSS (portable water supply system) equipment within its equipment budget and said the department has historically advocated for AWSS expansion.

The exchange clarified jurisdictional responsibility but did not produce a funding commitment. The department and commissioners said they are coordinating meetings with the PUC and that a hearing on AWSS is scheduled for February.