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Retired firefighters urge San Francisco to find indoor space for historic fire apparatus
Summary
Members of Guardians of the City told the Fire Commission that San Francisco's city-owned historic fire apparatus are deteriorating in outdoor storage and urged the city to finalize an MOU and provide indoor storage or a museum; commissioners requested a financial accounting and asked Guardians to return with more details.
Captain Lee, a retired San Francisco Fire Department officer representing Guardians of the City, told the Fire Commission on July 26 that portions of the city's historic fire-apparatus collection are exposed to the elements and at risk of irreparable damage. "This collection cannot be left to another winner," he said, urging the city to secure indoor storage.
The group described a history of secure storage at surplus properties, closed stations and sites such as Treasure Island and Hunters Point that was disrupted by redevelopment. Guardians of the City said the Academy of Arts University had provided indoor shelter but later moved some apparatus outdoors as campus space needs changed.
Paul Berry, retired firefighter and treasurer for Guardians of the City, said the organization's predecessor, the San Francisco Fire Department Historical Society, was recognized previously as the department's custodian of museum artifacts. He said a memorandum of understanding (MOU) outlining responsibilities between the department and the custodial organization was drafted but remains unfinished: "Without it, the organization is stalled in that forward momentum," Berry said.
Commissioners pressed for specifics. Commissioner Joe Alioto Veronese asked for an inventory and for clarity on which apparatus are salvageable; Captain Lee estimated that a consolidated indoor facility would likely need about 30,000 square feet to house the full collection and related containers of parts. Finance and Planning staff said the city previously allocated money from a trust to restoration work but the exact remaining balance and allowable uses require formal reporting.
Mark Corso, Finance and Planning, told commissioners a payment of roughly $140,000 was issued last year and that earlier accounting showed about $200,000 remained in the related account, but he cautioned that records and exact figures should be confirmed with the City Attorney and in the commission's reports.
Commissioners asked Guardians to provide a written accounting of the trust funds and an update on the MOU before the commission's October meeting; Guardians agreed to deliver a report by or before October 1. Several commissioners offered to help identify city properties and fundraising strategies, though staff noted some potential city sites (for example Port Authority warehouses) are required to charge market rent and may not be available gratis.
The commission did not take formal action on acquisition of space at the meeting but directed staff and Guardians to follow up with the requested documentation and to put the MOU and financial accounting on a future agenda.
