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Commission lauds firefighters after Jackson Street rescue; department highlights new engines and fireboat capability
Summary
Deputy Chief Mark Gonzales briefed commissioners on several major March incidents including a fourth-alarm blaze and a balcony rescue at 1591 Jackson Street; the department also described new smaller engines, Fireboat 3 capabilities and training milestones.
San Francisco — The Fire Commission on Wednesday praised San Francisco Fire Department crews for recent rescues and reviewed equipment and training updates, including new smaller engines better suited to city streets and enhanced fireboat capacity.
Deputy Chief Mark Gonzales summarized three greater alarms in March, including a difficult fourth-alarm blaze on March 17 at Powell and Columbus that ultimately required defensive operations. Gonzales also detailed a second-alarm incident at 1591 Jackson Street in which firefighters located and rescued a woman trapped on a fourth-floor balcony.
Commissioners singled out battalion chiefs and firefighters for meritorious action in the Jackson Street rescue. "They did a great job, especially those three members," Gonzales said in praise of crews who entered an active fire to reach and comfort the trapped resident until aerial resources arrived.
Gonzales and Assistant Deputy Chief Tony Rivera also described fleet updates: the department has purchased eight new, shorter-wheelbase engines with improved turning radius for San Francisco’s streets, with six more on order and discussions under way to acquire additional units over future fiscal years. The department highlighted Fireboat 3’s extended stream reach (reported in the meeting as roughly 300 feet) and credited that capability with improved bay responses.
The commission also heard that the department had 36 members graduate on March 9 and discussed ongoing training for wildland deployments and EMS response teams.
Next steps: The department will continue evaluating fleet needs and coordinate procurement planning with finance staff; the commission asked that formal recognition of the Jackson Street rescue be considered by the merits committee.
