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SFFD says ambulance deployment facility designs to go to permitting; total project budget cited at $45 million
Summary
EMS staff told the Fire Commission that designs for a new ambulance deployment facility will go to permitting in December; officials described a construction portion estimated at $20–30 million and a total project budget of $45 million, and announced a two-vehicle pilot of single-body 'sprinter' ambulances.
EMS Division staff and budget officials updated the Fire Commission on plans for a new ambulance deployment facility. EMS Division staff said design plans will be submitted for permitting in December and that, as of the recent meeting, the "budget is pretty well locked down." Construction costs for the building shell were discussed in the $20–30 million range, and Budget Director Mark Corso told commissioners he believed the total project budget is approximately $45,000,000.
Commissioners and chiefs discussed ambulance fleet issues driving the facility conversation: crews reported frame and box cracking in two-piece ambulances due to repeated torque on steep San Francisco hills, which can take vehicles out of service for weeks while specialized repairs are performed. To address reliability and safety concerns, the department said it has started a pilot program to acquire two single-body, sprinter-model ambulances for operational testing.
Deputy chiefs said the pilot vehicles should arrive before year end or early next year; staff will evaluate performance and maintenance savings against the current two-piece apparatus fleet. Commissioners asked for follow-up cost details and whether the total project budget could change; staff said those questions will be addressed in upcoming budget discussions.
Next steps: permitting submittal in December and continued evaluation of the ambulance pilot before larger fleet decisions are made.
