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Deputy chief outlines fireground rules of engagement and praises crews after 4‑alarm Union Street fire
Summary
Deputy Chief Mark Gonzalez gave a step‑by‑step presentation on incident size‑up, risk assessment, communications and when to shift to defensive operations, citing the March 17 Union Street 4‑alarm fire as an example and saying crews made the right calls to protect firefighters.
Deputy Chief of Operations Mark Gonzalez delivered an educational briefing to the San Francisco Fire Commission on March 28 about how commanders and crews evaluate the plan of attack at working structure fires and how decisions on interior versus defensive tactics are made.
Gonzalez reviewed the department’s rules of engagement and the incident commander’s responsibilities, emphasizing rapid size‑up, clear communications, the necessity of a rapid intervention crew (RIC) and the obligation to ‘‘stop, evaluate, and decide’’ when conditions deteriorate. "Do not risk your life for lives or property that cannot be saved," he said, adding that rescuing savable lives remains the paramount goal.
The presentation drew on the department’s response to the March 17, 2018 four‑alarm fire at 659 Union Street. Commissioners and Gonzalez discussed tactical specifics: department representatives said units were on scene within about one to two minutes, there were four interior hose lines operating on upper floors, and water was reported to have been applied inside the building within six minutes. Gonzalez described obstacles that complicated interior operations — exposed studs and joists, open doorways, heavy fire load and neighborhood utility wires — and praised crews for retreating when interior conditions became untenable.
Commissioners also raised the use of drones at incidents. Gonzalez said the department does not yet operate its own drones but that privately operated footage taken at the Union Street fire provided "incredible footage" that could be useful in operations and training, while cautioning that unauthorized drone operations can be unsafe and are sometimes illegal when aircraft are present.
Several commissioners commended the professionalism and restraint shown on scene. Commissioner Veronese said he described the response as "a well‑orchestrated opera" and thanked the command staff and partner city agencies. The commission then moved to a separate agenda item to recognize the response with a formal resolution.
