Supervisor Jake McGoldrick: Saving Fire Truck 14

Fire Station 14

As many District 1 residents have no doubt heard by now, the controller recently completed an analysis of the SF Fire Department's emergency medical and fire suppression functions that suggests a different allocation of resources within the city system. The controller concluded that the City should increase the system's medical capacity in order to meet current and projected demand for such services. Citing budget restrictions, the controller concluded that the City should decrease resources to fire suppression in order to provide greater resources to emergency medical services. As part of the Controller's conclusions, he recommended that Truck 14 be eliminated. The truck is a part of the fire company at Station 14, located on 26th Avenue between Geary Boulevard and Anza Street, which contains Truck 14 and Engine 14.

Elimination of Truck 14, which is the only equipment in the Outer Richmond that can reach five-story-tall buildings, could have disastrous consequence for District 1 residents who rely on the truck company for fire suppression safety. The controller's conclusions rely on average response times to justify the elimination of Truck 14, suggesting that nearby stations can cover the slack.

However, real fires are unpredictable, dynamic events that don't fit within theoretical models and averages. Every second counts. Just recently, Station 14 was responsible for putting out a fire on 29th Avenue in the Sea Cliff. While two people died as a result of the Sea Cliff fire, the quick response of Truck 14 prevented the fire from spreading to surrounding homes and probably saved other lives.

Truck 14 has a big hook and ladder truck, the only one of its kind in the Outer Richmond District. Experts in the Fire Department have placed equipment strategically to ensure we have the right equipment in the right place. I don't think we should now be second-guessing those decisions. We simply cannot afford to lose Truck 14. I will fight hard to keep it and I hope you will help me by letting the mayor and other supervisors know that you want to keep the station open.

Proposed Muni Cuts

As you know, Muni recently proposed service cuts to several lines in the City, including the 5-Fulton, 38-Geary, 1-California and 2-Clement. While Muni staff claimed the proposed cuts were limited to runs that were not being fully utilized, this claim does not survive close examination. A 38-Geary articulated bus with every seat occupied would not meet the definition of "full utilization" Muni used for the recommendations. This creative use of language allowed Muni to recommend cuts to the most used line in the City, along with several others that get heavy use in District 1.

Cuts like these damage our efforts to improve Muni reliability on Geary and other parts of District 1. In a transit-first city, we cannot raise fares and cut service and expect folks to continue to use transit. Fortunately, District 1 residents joined with residents from other parts of the City to oppose such cuts at Metropolitan Transit Agency (MTA) board meetings. On April 21, the MTA deadlocked on the issue 3 - 3, failing to pass the cuts proposed by staff. Let's keep up the pressure on Muni to find other ways to balance its budget.

Rossi Playground

Recently, the SF Recreation and Park Department delivered a surprise blow to park advocates across the City. After years of community planning and promises to neighborhood park advocates, Rec. and Park announced plans to halt work on 17 parks slated for renovation. Among those targeted by the department was Rossi Playground.

The neighborhood surrounding Rossi playground has rallied around this project from the beginning.

Please help me keep up the pressure and together we will persuade the department to keep faith with Rossi neighbors.

Jake McGoldrick is a San Francisco supervisor representing District 1.