San Francisco Fire Department – Station #1

I love what the Fire Department does, but HATE how loud the sirens and horns are. Here’s a letter I wrote to the department in hopes of us all getting along better:
We purchased our home at 855 Folsom Street 12 years ago and work from home. Since Station One moved, we hear extremely loud sirens and horns constantly, even when they go up 5^th, which is just as loud as if they’re driving by our home and we’re on the 7^th floor.
I understand the urgency to get to the emergency. I understand the decibels allowed, BUT, I really don’t think they need to be as loud as they are. I’ve seen people in cars become FROZEN with terror as a big red truck is «screaming at them» to get out of the way … with multiple sirens and overly loud horns.
I see streetcars on Market Street effectively getting cars to move, using a bell!!! Seriously. I also travel to Europe frequently and their «sirens» aren’t nearly as loud, and they seem to be just as effective.
The VOLUME is NOT what gets people out of the way faster. People WANT to get out of the way, but often don’t have a place to go and it takes a few moments to move.
I appreciate that you’re doing all you can to get to the scene quickly, but if seconds count, maybe firemen should stay in the trucks, with their gear on, poised to go, ²⁴⁄₇? Naturally, that’s a bit ridiculous, but it’s another solution to gain seconds.
I also understand that a large percentage of calls are for non-​fire «emergencies». Wouldn’t it make sense to move closer to where those emergencies happen most?
Or, since there are so many calls, perhaps the city could dedicate a lane for emergency vehicles only with the stop lights to be triggered in advance, to make room for the emergency vehicles.
There MUST be a better way. I’m not the only unhappy resident in our building of over 200 units. I know some people who live across the street from the station and they can’t wait to move when their lease is up.
I’d be happy to let someone from the fire department come to our loft and hang out to fully experience what I’m talking about.
PLEASE lower the volume. PLEASE. It’s become a painful issue hearing the sirens and horns so many times during the day and night.

Noisy neighbors have never been cuter. I just wish some of those firemen would come into Folsom Gulch on occasion to blow off steam in the arcade.

I am upgrading to 3-​stars due to the fast response I received to my communication with the Fire Department. The fire captain I spoke with said that they are looking into solutions such as flashing lights and also confirmed that when a vehicle is not responding to an emergency and does not have it’s siren and lights going, it is subject to all of the rules of the road, including yielding to bicycles on the bike lane in front of the station. That was great to know. Thanks SFFD for your fast response!

San Francisco’s finest ;)
Friendly and helpful; I felt personally attended to and in good hands. Thanks guys!

If u are familiar with the brief traffic delays on Howard street each time a fire truck returns to this fire station, perhaps u will be glad to know that SFMOMA is taking over this building as part of their expansion plans.
Not to worry, we’re not losing a fire station, it’s simply relocating to a nearby spot. The SFFD has good coverage of the city, by the looks of this map:
Here’s a couple of cool videos of the fire trucks at station #1. It’s surprising how fast they can go into oncoming traffic by merely honking their horns. (Warning: loud sirens on videos)
In 2012, this fire station is moving 3 blocks away to 935 Folsom street (between 5^th and 6^th streets), at no cost to the city. The museum is paying for the relocation. No idea if the firemen will miss being just a few doors down from the Gold Club gentleman’s club. j/​k.
SFMOMA plans to complete their new building expansion by 2015.

5 Reasons Why it’s Always a Great Benefit of living near a fire dept:
One Star: Very Fast Response Time to calls (tonight fire alarm goes off d/​t burnt chocolate chip cookies in someone’s apt)
Two Stars: Feel Safer knowing they are Always a few hanging outside the dept (yes, GoldClub is down a few doors & so is the W)
Three Stars: love how fast they can back-​up those long, big, red fire trucks!
Four Stars: Since I“ve moved to the Bay Area almost a decade ago, alot of firemen in these parts are HOT! lotta man candy. my hubby knows i think this, too! =)
Five Stars: ALL Firemen/​women do an awesome service for us.
Thank you!

Station #1 is #1
Last Wednesday, my fellow teachers and I took our preschool children to the firehouse for a tour. The firefighters were extremely nice and they answered all the questions the kids asked. The kids were excited about learning about the different tools firefighters uses and were happy that they all got a turn sitting in the driver seat of the fire engine.
Today, we went back to the firehouse to deliver the ‘thank you’ card that the children made. We were so lucky to see both the fire truck and a fire engine today on our visit. The firefighters even got a call while were were there so the children watched the fire engine exit the firehouse as they observed the sirens and lights flashing. It was definitely a great experience for all of us and we can’t wait to go back again soon :-)!
:Fire Engine vs. Fire Truck (info from Fire Department FAQ):
A fire engine has hose, a water tank, a pump (to pump water), and a small assortment of ladders.
A fire truck usually does not have a pump, hose, or water tank, but has a tall ladder fixed to the truck and over 100 feet of portable ladders along with additional equipment. The fire truck most often thought of is the «Hook and Ladder» with a tiller-​man steering the rear of the trailer section of the ladder.