SFFD unveils battery tools, filtration pilot and host tenders to cut firefighter exposures

Assistant Deputy Chief Anthony Rivera told the San Francisco Fire Commission the department is shifting from gasoline-powered equipment to electric and battery-powered tools to reduce firefighters' exposure to carcinogens and improve operational safety. Rivera said electric fans, cordless extrication tools and vehicle-mounted thermal imaging cameras have been added to apparatus and that many acquisitions were funded through grants. "We're reducing our reliance on fossil fuels," Rivera said, noting quieter operation, fewer trip hazards and simplified deployment.

Rivera described a year-long pilot of an aftermarket, vehicle-mounted exhaust filtration system installed on Engine 3. Independent testing and on-site industrial hygiene sampling showed dramatically reduced particulate and irritant readings; Rivera said post-installation tests averaged "0%" opacity. Environmental health and safety specialist Tony Boone, who took additional air readings during testing, said he found "very little oxides of nitrogen" and no sulfur oxides when measuring near the exhaust.

The division also highlighted fleet measures to improve uptime and lower fuel use: solar trickle-charging panels are installed on department vehicles to extend battery life; since 2015 SFFD has been using renewable diesel for most land vehicles; and an idle-mitigation system allows engines to run lights and equipment from onboard batteries, with engines restarting when batteries fall to ~40% charge. Rivera said the idle-mitigation system gives crews roughly one hour and 45 minutes of battery-backed operation before recharging.

Rivera showed a new host-tender design that can draft from cisterns, reservoirs or the bay and carries 5,000 feet of 5-inch hose (an increase from 4,000). The vehicle includes a portable submersible pump able to lift water up to 35 feet and deliver several thousand gallons per minute to augment AWSS (above-ground water supply systems) for western neighborhoods and high-rise operations. Rivera said four host tenders are included in the department's current budget request.

Commissioners pressed on costs and rollout. Rivera said the exhaust filtration unit costs about $9,600 per vehicle (all in, with tax and installation) and that retrofitting the existing relief fleet would cost in the high hundreds of thousands; he added that all new vehicle specifications will include the filtration system. On turnout coats, commissioners raised concerns about PFOA/PFOS in moisture barriers and asked whether manufacturers and NFPA standards are addressing alternatives; Rivera said manufacturers must meet NFPA requirements and that change at the NFPA level would be necessary to drive product redesign.

Rivera also said the department is exploring hydrogen-powered staff vehicles in partnership discussions with manufacturers and pursuing grant funding for pilot vehicles, with three hydrogen fueling stations expected later in 2019. He asked commissioners to consider a resolution memorializing the commission's and administration's support for firefighter safety measures.