SF’s New “Floating” Fire Station Set to Open Summer 2021
We’re closer than ever to the opening of a first-of-its-kind floating fire station on the San Francisco Bay.
The new Fire Station 35, which will serve as a base for fireboats, is berthed at Pier 22½ just north of the Bay Bridge.
Exterior construction on the new station was completed on April 1st. According to Jonathan Baxter, Public Information Officer for the San Francisco Fire Department, the interior build out is currently taking place and the fire department is hoping for a mid-summer 2021 opening.
The new Fireboat Station will be a two-story, 15,000+ sq. ft. fireboat station behind the existing fireboat house. The fireboat house is a San Francisco Landmark, and will continue to function as Engine Company No. 35.
Related Story – SF’s Brand New Floating Fire Station is Coming – 12/5/20
Although the new station won’t float off to different locations (It will be moored at Pier 22½) he new structure will be built on top of a steel float and anchored by four guide piles. This will allow the new fireboat station to rise and fall with the natural tide of the Bay, King Tides and projected Sea Level Rise.
The new floating fire station is thought to be the only such design in the world.
The station is connected to the mainline via articulated vehicular and pedestrian ramps making it much safer and faster for fire boats to dock and to transport ambulances on and off the station.
San Francisco Fire Department’s three fireboats and rescue watercraft will be moored at the new floating facility. The existing dilapidated Piers 22 1/2 and 24 will be demolished.
The fire station will serve the Embarcadero coastline down to Candlestick point, but also with provide “mutual aid” to nearly 100 miles of coastline including responding to emergencies in Oakland, Richmond and smaller communities when needed.
Public access to the waterfront also will be improved with the construction of an observation deck south of the historic structure and will include public art and interpretive panels related to the fireboats fire stations
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