Fire Commission backs FEMA port-security grant to buy dive boat

The San Francisco Fire Commission on Aug. 10 recommended that the Board of Supervisors authorize the San Francisco Fire Department to accept a Fiscal Year 2015 Port Security Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to purchase a dedicated dive boat.

Mark Corso, finance and planning, told commissioners the grant award is "approximately $769,000" and requires a city match of roughly $256,641, for a total project cost of about $1,026,000. He said the match was included in the recently approved city budget and that the grant performance period has been extended to three years, expiring in August 2018.

Commissioners described the boat as an important addition to the department's marine-response capability. Commissioner Pardaman called the acquisition "terrific," saying modern equipment can save lives. Chief Pusta and other operations staff explained the department currently conducts dive operations using a police "moose boat," which is not staffed 24/7 and requires coordination and transfers that consume the critical initial response time. "Our dive operations are done off the police moose boat," a department operations chief said, arguing a dedicated SFFD platform would reduce logistical delays.

Vice President Ken Cleveland moved approval and the commission adopted the recommendation by unanimous voice vote.

The commission did not set specific construction or vendor specifications at the meeting but staff said the purchased vessel will combine some off-the-shelf elements with equipment features included in the grant application. Corso said there is over two years in the grant period to execute the project.

Next steps: the Fire Commission's recommendation will go to the Board of Supervisors for final authorization and acceptance of the grant funds.