Mayor Daniel Lurie has signed legislation allowing the city to accept private donations to replace aging fire engines, trucks and ambulances in the San Francisco Fire Department’s fleet, the Mayor’s Office announced.
The measure, co-sponsored by District 1 Supervisor Connie Chan and Board of Supervisors President Rafael Mandelman, lifts restrictions on so-called behested payments, enabling the mayor and fire chief to solicit private funds to purchase emergency vehicles, a press release issued Thursday noted.
“Public safety is my number one priority, and that means making sure our first responders have the tools they need to keep San Franciscans safe,” Mayor Lurie on Thursday said. “By modernizing our fleet, we can respond faster in emergencies and keep everyone safer.”
More than 60% of the department’s fire engines and nearly 90% of fire trucks and ambulances are older than their recommended service life, with some vehicles still in use dating back to the 1970s.
National fire safety guidelines say fire trucks should be replaced after 15 years and taken out of service after 25. Ambulances should be replaced after 5 years and retired after 7.