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Fire Commission hears surf rescue briefing; department outlines case for dedicated marine unit
Summary
The San Francisco Fire Commission received a detailed briefing on the department's surf rescue program, including training, equipment and a proposal for a 24-hour dedicated marine unit. Staff said the city has six jet skis (two staged for immediate response), rising water-rescue calls and equipment procured via federal grants, but staffing would likely require general-fund support.
Assistant Deputy Chief Rudy Castellanos introduced a surf-rescue committee update and invited Captain Robert Styles and firefighter Catherine Alba Swanson to describe the unit's work and training.
Swanson said training is intensive: the surf-rescue qualification begins with a timed pool swim, proceeds through Aquatic Park acclimation and culminates in an Ocean Beach test day. The presentation included a short television report that noted dozens of water-rescue incidents this year; presenters told commissioners that water-rescue events have risen substantially in recent years.
Castellanos outlined the program's operational footprint: rescue-qualified firefighters are stationed…
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